With a contract to Mercury Records (1975), McEntire began her professional career singing heavily pop-influenced ballads, a far cry from the neotraditionalist movement she would help lead a few years later.
"I Don't Want To Be A One Night Stand" became her first charting single in 1976. Her first Top 10 hit "(You Lift Me) Up to Heaven" followed four years later, and in 1982 she scored her first #1 hit with "Can't Even Get The Blues."
Frustrated at her limited commercial success, McEntire left Mercury and signed with MCA Records in 1984. 1984's "Just A Little Love" wasn't much different form her Mercury material and was only moderately successful. However, another album followed later that same year, titled "My Kind of Country." This was a return-to-roots record, complete with fiddles and steel. It was comprised largely of covers of classic country songs, as well as original songs such as "How Blue" and the Harlan Howard-penned "Somebody Should Leave", both of which reached #1 on the Billboard country singles chart.
In the early 1990s McEntire expanded her audience by adopting a softer, more pop-oriented sound. She became one of the best-selling country artists of all time, releasing three volumes of greatest hits collections.
Since that first #1 hit in 1982, she's forked out 21 more chartbusters, which are all recapped on "Reba #1s" released on November 22nd, 2005. The 2-disc compilation features all 22 number one singles (according to Billboard magazine) in chronological order, including two new tracks "You're Gonna Be" and "Love Needs A Holiday." "Reba #1s" also contains 11 singles that reached the #1 spot in publications other than Billboard.
She won the Female Vocalist of the Year award from the Country Music Association four times in a row (a record she holds with Martina McBride), and had dozens of Top Ten hits during the 80s. For her contribution to the recording industry, Reba McEntire has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7000 Hollywood Blvd. In 1995, she was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
She is one of only six solo women (others include Shania Twain, Barbara Mandrell, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and Taylor Swift), to win the Country Music Association's highest honor, "Entertainer Of The Year". McEntire continued to hit the charts through the 2000s, as well as appearing in television and film, most notably Tremors, a cult horror movie series, Forever Love, and One Night at McCool's. She also starred as Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun on Broadway, receiving critical acclaim.
From 2001 to 2007, Reba starred in the hit WB television show, Reba (with Texan actor Christopher Rich as her philandering ex-husband), even getting a visit from fellow country star Dolly Parton who played Reba's character's supervisor at a real estate firm.
Freedom
Reba McEntire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And heart chained to a bottle of whiskey
And I've held strangers in my arms
To pull apart the bars
Because I couldn't find the key
I've searched high and low
Been to hell and back
And all I know is that
The price of being free it don't come cheap
That's why people fight for it, rise for it
Burn up the night for it
Cry for it, pine for it
Cross rivers wide for it
Once you've held the truth
There's nothing you won't do
And when I look into your eyes
I know why people died for it
Freedom loving you feels like freedom
You're the red, the white, the blue
The stars that cover the scars
When we broke the shackles
And I've never been to war before
But your boots there on the floor
Are proof that I've won the battle
And all you had to give to me
Was the gift of being free
That's why people fight for it, rise for it
Burn up the night for it
Cry for it, pine for it
Cross rivers wide for it
Once you've held the truth
There's nothing you won't do
And when I look into your eyes
I know why people died for it
Freedom loving you feels like freedom
I've searched high and low
Been to hell and back
Been a prisoner to my soul
And all I know is that
The price of being free it don't come cheap
That's why people fight for it, rise for it
Burn up the night for it
Cry for it, pine for it
Cross rivers wide for it
Once you've held the truth
There's nothing you won't do
And when I look into your eyes
I know why people died for it
Freedom loving you feels like freedom
Oh freedom loving you feels like freedom
Freedom loving you feels like freedom
Freedom
The lyrics to Reba McEntire's song "Freedom" explore the theme of liberation and the lengths people will go to obtain it. The first verse depicts the singer's past struggles with addiction and seeking affection from strangers, emphasizing their sense of confinement and inability to break free. The line "Because I couldn't find the key" metaphorically represents the singer's search for freedom, indicating that they were unable to find a way to escape their circumstances.
The chorus highlights the significance and value of freedom. It suggests that freedom is a precious and hard-won prize, which explains why people are willing to fight for it, sacrifice for it, and even die for it. The lyrics mention how holding onto the truth brings about an unstoppable determination to do anything to protect that freedom. Looking into the eyes of the person they love, the singer realizes why people have made such sacrifices for freedom.
In the second verse, the imagery shifts to a relationship. The singer compares their partner to the colors of the American flag, symbolizing their strength and ability to heal emotional wounds. The line about the boots on the floor represents the physical evidence of a battle won, presumably a symbol for overcoming personal struggles and finding freedom with the help of their partner.
Overall, the song beautifully portrays the value of freedom and how it can be found in different forms and relationships. It emphasizes the idea that love can be a liberating force, providing a sense of freedom and salvation.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm no stranger to the thick smoke of a bar
I am familiar with the atmosphere of a smoky bar, where people drown their sorrows.
And heart chained to a bottle of whiskey
My heart feels trapped and dependent on alcohol to cope with my emotions.
And I've held strangers in my arms
I have sought comfort in the arms of strangers, hoping to find solace.
To pull apart the bars
In an attempt to break free from my emotional confinement and find happiness.
Because I couldn't find the key
Struggling to unlock the doors to inner freedom and contentment.
I've searched high and low
I have explored every possible avenue in my quest for liberation.
Been to hell and back
Having experienced immense suffering and hardship in my life's journey.
Been a prisoner to my soul
Feeling trapped by the confines of my own emotions and inner struggles.
And all I know is that
From my experiences, I have realized that
The price of being free it don't come cheap
Gaining true freedom requires sacrifice and effort, it is not easily obtained.
That's why people fight for it, rise for it
People are willing to battle and rise above challenges in pursuit of freedom.
Burn up the night for it
They are willing to put in relentless effort and sacrifice for freedom.
Cry for it, pine for it
People experience deep longing and intense emotional desire for freedom.
Cross rivers wide for it
They are willing to go through great obstacles and hardships for freedom.
Once you've held the truth
Once you have grasped the essence of true freedom
There's nothing you won't do
You become unstoppable and willing to go to any lengths for freedom.
And when I look into your eyes
When I gaze into your eyes and connect with you emotionally
I know why people died for it
I understand the deep importance and value of freedom, for which people were willing to sacrifice their lives.
Freedom loving you feels like freedom
Loving you brings me a sense of liberation and true freedom.
You're the red, the white, the blue
You embody the values and spirit of patriotism and national pride.
The stars that cover the scars
You provide comfort and healing, like the stars that conceal our wounds.
When we broke the shackles
When we freed ourselves from the chains of our past struggles and limitations.
And I've never been to war before
Although I have not experienced actual war
But your boots there on the floor
Seeing your boots symbolizes your courage and strength in fighting battles.
Are proof that I've won the battle
Your presence gives me reassurance that I have triumphed over my inner battles.
And all you had to give to me
All you needed to offer me
Was the gift of being free
Was the ability to experience true freedom by being with you.
Oh freedom loving you feels like freedom
Loving you brings me a profound sense of liberation and liberty.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group
Written by: JAIDA DREYER, JAY BRUNSWICK, JOHN PIERCE, TOMMY CECIL, JAIDA ELIZABETH LAUREN DREYER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ja Neen HRH Neenerita
"Freedom"
I'm no stranger to the thick smoke of a bar
And heart chained to a bottle of whiskey
And I've held strangers in my arms
To pull apart the bars
Because I couldn't find the key
I've search high and low
Been to hell and back
Been a prisoner to my soul
And all I know is that
The price of being free
It don't come cheap
That's why people fight for it, rise for it
Burn up the night for it
Cry for it, pine for it
Cross rivers wide for it
Once you've held the truth
There's nothing you won't do
And when I look into your eyes
I know why people died for it
Freedom
Loving you feels like freedom
You're the red, the white, the blue
The stars that cover the scars
When we broke the shackles
And I've never been to war before
But your boots there on the floor
Are proof that I've won the battle
And all you had to give to me
Was the gift of being free
That's why people fight for it, rise for it
Burn up the night for it
Cry for it, pine for it
Cross rivers wide for it
Once you've held the truth
There's nothing you won't do
And when I look into your eyes
I know why people died for it
Freedom
Loving you feels like freedom
I've searched high and low
Been to hell and back
Been a prisoner to my soul
And all I know is that
The price of being free
It don't come cheap
That's why people fight for it, rise for it
Burn up the night for it
Cry for it, pine for it
Cross rivers wide for it
Once you've held the truth
There's nothing you won't do
And when I look into your eyes
I know why people died for it
Freedom
Loving you feels like freedom
Oh freedom
Loving you feels like freedom
Freedom
Loving you feels like freedom
SciFiGirl97
"Freedom"
I'm no stranger to the thick smoke
Of a bar and a heart chained
To a bottle of whiskey
And I've held strangers in my arms
To pull apart the bars
Because I couldn't find the key
I've search high and low
Been to hell and back
Been a prisoner to my soul
And all I know is that
The price of being free
It don't come cheap
That's why people fight for it, rise for it
Burn up the night for it
Cry for it, grind for it
Cross rivers wide for it
Once you've held the truth
There's nothing you won't do
And when I look into your eyes
I know why people died for it
Freedom
Loving you feels like freedom
You're the red, the white, the blue
The stars that cover the scars
When we broke apart the shackles
And I've never been to war before
But your boots there on the floor
Are proof that I've won the battle
And all you had to give to me
Was the gift of being free
That's why people fight for it, rise for it
Burn up the night for it
Cry for it, grind for it
Cross rivers wide for it
Once you've held the truth
There's nothing you won't do
And when I look into your eyes
I know why people died for it
Freedom
Loving you feels like freedom
I've searched high and low
Been to hell and back
Been a prisoner to my soul
And all I know is that
The price of being free
It don't come cheap
That's why people fight for it, rise for it
Burn up the night for it
Cry for it, grind for it
Cross rivers wide for it
Once you've held the truth
There's nothing you won't do
And when I look into their eyes
I know why people died for it
Freedom
Loving you feels like freedom
Oh freedom
Loving you feels like freedom
Freedom
Loving you feels like freedom
Mr. Max T.V.
If country radio doesn't play this song things are really messed up!
Maisie Unger
I heard it on the country radio this morning. Had to find it so here I am. That means, yes. They did play it.
I.R. Marin
Why wouldn't they play it? It's REBA for crying out loud!
Mr. Max T.V.
This is awesome!
Queen Of Country Reba McEntire
Oh my god. Can her voice get even better. She is just so great. We love her some much. What a great album, love every song she released so far. Great Job. Keep surprising us. We love u
Lauren Alaina is The Queen Of Country
And this Album got a Grammy Nomination for Best Country Album - (Stronger Than The Truth) 😍❤
K RDP
@Brenden Small hey
Brenden Small
@K RDP hi
Brenden Small
I love reba
Mylana Liles
Hi