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.
I'll Give You Something To Miss
Reba McEntire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the conditions are just right.
Our song's playing on the
radio. Every beat of my heart is saying just let go.
'Cause when you're holding me this way.
It's all I can do to just think straight.
A little voice in my head is saying not so fast.
If you really want this love to last.
[Chorus]
I'm gonna catch my breath.
I'm gonna count to ten.
I'm gonna leave you wonderin' when you'll see me again.
I'm gonna say goodnight with one passionate kiss.
And leave you with the strongest feeling there is.
I'll give you something to miss.
I'm not doin' something I'll regret.
I'm playing it just hard enough to get.
I'm gonna give you a little space.
And let you enjoy the thrill of the chase.
[Chorus: x2]
The lyrics of Reba McEntire's song I'll Give You Something to Miss are about a woman who is in a romantic situation with someone she desires. The lyrics illustrate a scenario where every condition is perfect for a romantic moment, but the woman decides to be cautious and take things slow in order to make sure it lasts. The woman is aware of the strong pull she feels towards the person holding her, but at the same time she has an inner voice that warns her not to act too fast or give in too easily. The woman decides to catch her breath, count to ten, and leave the other person with the anticipation of seeing her again. She plans to say goodnight with one passionate kiss and leave with the strongest feeling there is. The chorus, “I'll give you something to miss,” conveys the idea that sometimes taking things slow, being cautious and not giving in to every passionate impulse can make a relationship stronger, more meaningful, and long-lasting.
Line by Line Meaning
Well there's a half moon starlit sky.
The setting is perfect for romance.
All the conditions are just right.
Everything is in place for a perfect moment.
Our song's playing on the radio.
The environment is perfect for love.
Every beat of my heart is saying just let go.
My heart is fully invested in this moment.
'Cause when you're holding me this way.
Your touch is overwhelming in a good way.
It's all I can do to just think straight.
I'm lost in the moment and can't focus on anything but you.
A little voice in my head is saying not so fast.
I need to slow down and think about the future.
If you really want this love to last.
I need to take things slow for the sake of our relationship.
I'm gonna catch my breath.
I'm going to take a step back from this moment.
I'm gonna count to ten.
I'm going to give myself some time to think.
I'm gonna leave you wonderin' when you'll see me again.
I'm not going to give away my next move.
I'm gonna say goodnight with one passionate kiss.
I'm going to show you how much I care.
And leave you with the strongest feeling there is.
I want you to feel the depth of my emotions.
I'll give you something to miss.
I'm going to make sure you don't forget about me.
I'm not doin' something I'll regret.
I'm being responsible and cautious.
I'm playing it just hard enough to get.
I'm not making it too easy for you.
I'm gonna give you a little space.
I'm not going to be too clingy.
And let you enjoy the thrill of the chase.
I want you to enjoy pursuing me.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID MALLOY, DAVID E. MALLOY, RICHARD MORGAN BOWLES, RICK BOWLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind