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 Not That Lonely Yet
Reba McEntire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm sorry I'm not at my best
I know you can see I'm incredibly blue
But I'm not that lonely yet
I look in your eyes while you're dancing with me
And try to fulfill your request
But don't ask for favors when it's time to leave
Now don't say you want me
I've heard that before
The words weigh like stones in my head
There may come a time when I'll think of you more
But I'm not that lonely yet
It's nice to be dancing
To waltzes again
And maybe it helps to forget
You've opened the door but I'm not waltzing in
Cause I'm not that lonely yet
No I'm not that lonely yet
The lyrics of Reba McEntire's song I'm Not That Lonely Yet describe a woman who is going through a difficult time after a breakup, but is not at the point where she would settle for anyone. The singer in the song is willing to give her dance partner a slow dance or two, but she apologizes for not being at her best because she is feeling very blue. She makes it clear that she is not ready to engage in a romantic relationship yet, even though she appreciates the opportunity to dance with someone. The singer admits that she tries to fulfill her partner's request, but she cannot be asked any favors because she is not at the point where she needs someone in that way.
The singer acknowledges that her dance partner may want to pursue a relationship, but she has heard empty words like that before and does not want to be misled. She knows that there may come a time when she thinks of her partner more, but she is still not at the point where she's that lonely. Finally, the singer emphasizes that it's nice to be dancing again, but she won't be waltzing in just yet because she's not ready. The song presents an honest account of what it feels like to be getting over a breakup but not quite ready to start a new relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't mind to give you a slow dance or two
I am willing to spend some time with you and dance slowly
I'm sorry I'm not at my best
I apologize for not being in a good mood or state right now
I know you can see I'm incredibly blue
I am aware that you can see that I am very sad
But I'm not that lonely yet
However, I am not so lonely that I would want to be with you
I look in your eyes while you're dancing with me
As we dance, I gaze into your eyes
And try to fulfill your request
And I attempt to meet your desires or wishes
But don't ask for favors when it's time to leave
But do not request any favors or assistance when it is time for you to depart
Cause I'm not that lonely yet
Because I am not desperate enough to do things for you that I'm uncomfortable with
Now don't say you want me
Please do not say that you desire me
I've heard that before
It's a claim that I've heard a lot and has lost its value
The words weigh like stones in my head
Such words feel as heavy as rocks resting on my mind
There may come a time when I'll think of you more
Although it's unlikely, there's a possibility that I'll reflect on you more in the future
But I'm not that lonely yet
Right now, the idea of being in a romantic relationship with you doesn't appeal to me
It's nice to be dancing
I am enjoying this dance
To waltzes again
And it's nice to be dancing to waltzes once more
And maybe it helps to forget
Perhaps, this helps me forget my problems temporarily
You've opened the door but I'm not waltzing in
Although you have shown interest in me, I'm not interested in pursuing this further
Cause I'm not that lonely yet
Because my loneliness hasn't intensified enough to be with you
No, I'm not that lonely yet
Again, I am not desperate enough to be with you right now
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARY SHARON RICE, WILBUR S. RICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind