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'm A Survivor
Reba McEntire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The doctor gave me thirty days
But I must have had my mama's will
And God's amazing grace
So I guess I'll keep on livin'
Even if this loves to die for
'Cause your bags are packed and I ain't cryin'
To change your mind 'cause I was born to be
The baby girl without a chance
A victim of circumstance
The one who ought to give up
But she's just too hard-headed
A single mom who works two jobs
Who loves her kids and never stops
With gentle hands and the heart of a fighter
I'm a survivor
I don't believe in self pity
It only brings you down
Maybe the queen of broken hearts
But I won't hide behind the crown
And when the deck is stacked against me
I just play a different game
My roots are planted in the past
And though my life is changing fast
Who I am is who I want to be
The baby girl without a chance
A victim of circumstance
The one who ought to give up
But she's just too hard-headed
A single mom who works two jobs
Who loves her kids and never stops
With gentle hands and the heart of a fighter
I'm a survivor
A single mom who works two jobs
Who loves her kids and never stops
With gentle hands and the heart of a fighter
I'm a survivor
Oh, I must have had my mama's will
And God's amazing grace
"I'm A Survivor" by Reba McEntire is an empowering song that speaks to the resilience and strength of individuals faced with adversity and challenges. The opening lines of the song talk about the singer being born prematurely and given just thirty days to live by the doctor. However, she believes that she must have inherited her mother's willpower and God's grace, which saved her life. She sings about not giving up even when love fails and a relationship ends.
The chorus of the song talks about being a survivor, taking pride in one's determination and unwillingness to give up. Reba sings about being someone who was viewed as a victim of circumstance, yet she refuses to be defined by that. She is a single mother who works two jobs and loves her kids fiercely, never giving up despite all the difficulties she faces. She believes in playing a different game when the deck is stacked against her and never indulges in self-pity.
The song ends with the repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the message that Reba is a survivor because of her mother's will and God's grace. It encourages listeners to keep fighting and pushing through life's obstacles, believing in themselves and recognizing their strength.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born three months too early
I was born prematurely
The doctor gave me thirty days
The doctor didn't expect me to live long
But I must have had my mama's will
I inherited my mother's determination
And Gods amazing grace
And God's divine intervention
I guess I'll keep on livin'
I will continue living
Even if this loves to die for
Even if my love life is falling apart
'Cause your bags are packed and I ain't cryin'
You're leaving me, but I'm not shedding tears
You're walking out and I'm not trying
I'm not trying to convince you to stay
To change your mind cause I was born to be
To change your mind because I am who I am
The baby girl without a chance
I was born into difficult circumstances
A victim of circumstance
I was at the mercy of my situation
The one who ought a give up,but she's just
The one who others expected to fail, but I didn't
Too hard headed!
Too stubborn to give up
A single mom who works two jobs
I am a single mother working multiple jobs
Who loves her kids and never stops
I am a devoted mother who never gives up
With gentle hands and a heart of a fighter
I am both nurturing and resilient
I'm a survivor
I am a survivor
I don't believe in self pity
I don't feel sorry for myself
It only brings you down
It only makes things worse
May be the queen of broken hearts
I might have experienced heartbreak
But I don't hide behind the crown
But I don't let it defeat me
When the deck is stacked against me
When the odds are against me
I just play a different game
I approach things differently
My roots are planted in the past
My past has influenced who I am
And though my life is changing fast
Although my life is changing quickly
Who I am is who I want to be
I am true to myself and my goals
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Phillip White, Shelby Kennedy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Temptated24
She never, ever ceases to amaze me. 20 years later and she’s reinventing her music for the new generation. That smile she gives just brings tears to my eyes. With gentle hands and the heart of a fighter, we truly are survivors. Thank you, @Reba, for always giving me the inspiration to move forward since I discovered you back in 1990 when I was 10 years old.❤️
@ashleybergen1610
Longer then 20 years love.
@officermeyer5733
Same. And now this version feels like it's coming from my daughter to me as I am a single mom. My children are adults now but they'll always be my babies 🥰🥰🥰
@abbysebastian9914
Sa me.
@ThatOneGuy1993
Facts
@shawnobrien4792
@@rebamcentire7039 My friend I am so glad that you spread your warmth thru your music and emotional heart felt voice. Thank you always
@gsusan11
This song was one of my anthems when I was younger, going through a divorce, raising a child by myself. Surviving. I loved the original version and I love this new version. It’s still my anthem.
@jacquiesallemi
Anything Reba does is Platinum! I am always overjoyed when I hear her voice. Her stories told through music are close to the heart and soul. Thank you Reba!
@filipjuhas2779
Don't you worry ..... We are with you 😉
@Deadpcks_
Corny