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.
Good Doggie No Bone!
Reba McEntire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
First they tell you youre gonna be the next big thing
They put roses in your dressing room everytime you sing
Till you ask for a little consideration
Then they call you a diva,
Pink slip "termanation"
They grab the next yapper
Just walking down the street
Markin' your tree
It′s lonely at the top
When the lights go down and the cheering stops
You've got no real friends
No place to call home!!
Its all good doggie
But no bone
And the next thing you know he aint bringing you roses
Its all cold stares
Cold shoulder
"Cold noses"
He doesn't write
Doesnt call
Doesn′t howl you name
All that he can think about is fortune and fame
There aint nothing i can do
To turn his head and excite him
Sometimes i swear i just want to bite him!
Its lonely at the top
When the lights go down
And the cheerin stops
You′ve got no real friends
No place to call home
Its all good doggie (good doggie)
Its all good doggie(good doggie)
But no bone! wowow nonono!
Good doggie (no Bone)
Good doggie(no Bone)
Good doggie(no Bone)
Good doggie(no Bone)
Good doggie(no Bone)
Good doggie(no Bone)
Good doggie(no Bone)
Good doggie(no Bone)
Good doggie
Not even a little bitty bone
Good doggie (no Bone)
No bone ohh wowowwo!!!!!
And no bone owowow!
The song "Good Doggie No Bone!" by Reba McEntire narrates the life of a successful musician who becomes a victim of fame and success. At the beginning of the song, the singer talks about how people in the music industry call you the next big thing and fill your room with roses until you ask for something in return. Then they see you as a diva and fire you, replacing you with new talent. The next young artist will come along and sing the same songs you have perfected, taking everything you have worked for in the process.
The chorus emphasizes the loneliness and emptiness felt when fame is all one has, and there is no true friend or place to call home. The artist is still a “good doggie,” loyally serving her fans, but there is no reward or appreciation for her work, and she is left without a bone. The song brings to light the dark side of fame and the cost of success, which can lead to a sense of isolation and an empty existence.
Overall, "Good Doggie No Bone!" is a metaphor for the music industry and how the stars who once shone brightly lose their light as they become less relevant. The song shows that behind the glitz and glamour, fame can be a harsh mistress.
Line by Line Meaning
First they tell you youre gonna be the next big thing
At the beginning of your career, people are optimistic about your future success.
They put roses in your dressing room everytime you sing
They flatter you with gifts and praise to make you feel valued.
Till you ask for a little consideration
However, when you make a simple request for respect, they turn against you.
Then they call you a diva,
They label you as difficult and demanding.
Pink slip "termination"
They fire you from your job for standing up for yourself.
They grab the next yapper
They easily replace you with someone else who is willing to comply.
Just walking down the street
They find someone new without even looking.
They've got him singing your songs
They teach the replacement your songs and expect them to perform like you did.
Markin' your tree
They claim that the replacement is the new star in town, taking credit from you.
It's lonely at the top
Being successful and famous can be isolating.
When the lights go down and the cheering stops
The attention and adoration from fans and others can quickly fade away.
You've got no real friends
The relationships you have might be superficial or based on your fame.
No place to call home!!
You feel like you don't belong anywhere.
Its all good doggie
Despite the difficult situations, you keep going and doing your best.
But no bone
However, you don't feel appreciated or rewarded for your hard work and talent.
Writer(s): Marcus Hummon
Contributed by Kayla M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.