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 Gonna Take That Mountain
Reba McEntire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna take that mountain
I was born a stubborn soul
Ain't afraid of the great unknown
Or a winding road that's all uphill
This is just a stumbling block
Intimidating wall of rock
I'm gonna take that mountain
Ain't nothing gonna slow me down
And there ain't no way around it
Gonna leave it level with the ground
I ain't just gonna cross it, climb it, fight it
I'm gonna take that mountain (take that mountain)
I'm gonna take that mountain
I'm gonna take that mountain
It's overwhelming looking up
Knowing it's the challenge of
Me against this heartache to survive
I may slip and I may fall
But even if I have to crawl
I'll break through to the healing side
I'm gonna take that mountain
Ain't nothing gonna slow me down
And there ain't no way around it
Gonna leave it level with the ground
I ain't just gonna cross it, climb it, fight it
I'm gonna take that mountain
I ain't just gonna cross it, climb it, fight it, yeah
(I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm)
I'm gonna take that mountain
Ain't nothin' gonna slow me down
And there ain't no way around it
Gonna leave it level with the ground
I ain't just gonna cross it, climb it, fight it
I'm gonna take that mountain
I'm gonna take that mountain
I'm gonna take that mountain
I was born a stubborn soul
This is just a stumbling block
I'm gonna take that mountain
The lyrics of Reba McEntire’s song “I’m Gonna Take That Mountain” are all about having an indomitable spirit and overcoming life’s obstacles. In the first verse, the singer describes herself as a “stubborn soul” who is unafraid of the unknown or difficult roads. She is faced with a “stumbling block” in the form of an intimidating “wall of rock” but insists that it will not break her will to succeed. The chorus doubles down on this determination by declaring that there is nothing that will slow her down, and she will not only climb the mountain but take it on, breaking it down completely.
The second verse builds on this theme, acknowledging that the challenge of overcoming heartache and pain can be overwhelming. Even though the singer may slip or fall, she will not let these obstacles defeat her in her journey toward healing. The chorus repeats this message of unwavering willpower and determination.
Overall, the song is an anthem of strength and resilience in the face of adversity. It speaks to those who refuse to give up in the face of difficulties and encourages them to keep pushing forward, no matter how steep the climb.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born a stubborn soul
I have a natural disposition of being unyielding and firm in my beliefs
Ain't afraid of the great unknown
I am not scared of venturing into uncharted territories
Or a winding road that's all uphill
I am not deterred by a difficult and challenging path ahead of me
This is just a stumbling block
The current obstacle I am facing is only a temporary setback
Intimidating wall of rock
The challenge seems daunting and formidable
If you think this broken heart will break my will
My broken heart will not shatter my spirit and perseverance
I'm gonna take that mountain
I am determined to overcome this obstacle
Ain't nothing gonna slow me down
Nothing can impede my progress
There ain't no way around it
I have to go through this challenge to overcome it
Gonna leave it level with the ground
I will conquer this challenge and flatten it completely
I ain't just gonna cross it, climb it, fight it
I am not just going to overcome it conventionally
I'm gonna take that mountain
I am going to overcome this obstacle completely and decisively
It's overwhelming looking up
It feels overwhelming to face such a formidable challenge
Knowing it's the challenge of
Understanding that overcoming this challenge will define my perseverance
Me against this heartache to survive
I am fighting to survive this heartache
I may slip and I may fall
I might face setbacks and trip, but I will not give up
But even if I have to crawl
I will not give up, even if I have to start from scratch
I'll break through to the healing side
I will overcome this challenge and end up with a healed heart
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Melissa Ann Peirce, Jerry Salley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cecilhampton6588
I was one of the trick ropers in this video. It was very hot when we filmed in the mountains east of Hollywood CA. Kansas Caradine, daughter of David Caradine, was one of the female trick ropers. Reba looks great in this video.
@WhatACatchJonny
Who was the female bronc rider?
@garynicholas4648
God knew everything you did. Were you the gentleman next to Miss Reba? Everybody was great! Thank you Mr. Hampton.
@hayse50
Everyone who contributed to this video....excellent....kudos from here. Love it!!!!
@karenlaurence5927
I'm glad you did buy that mountain Reba we love you im 💗ur biggest fan 💓Karen. England 🇬🇧xx
@justiceharrison5142
Hello there Karen nice meeting you here
@cambriacox8019
Girl you know it! No mountain big or small is going to stop a woman on a mission.
@justiceharrison5142
Hello there Cambria nice meeting you here
@kimberlysundquist6448
my new anthem as I battle breast cancer. I am only 43 and have two teenage boys as a single mom...reba is my favorite and got me through some rough times..now I am calling on her music to get me through this latest stage as well. she always has the words that live my life.
@DeniseRichardson1717
+Kimberly Sundquist I sincerely hope you are feeling much better now Kimberly..
please feel free to message me if you would like some distant Reiki healing sent to you...denise.richardson@live.co.uk