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 Don't Want To Be Alone
Reba McEntire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wish that I could be so bold as to
Walk right up to you and say what I think.
I don't now what you think
Of me.
And I know everyone can see I'm crazy
About you and always will be.
Or was it mama who said
You're not suppose to flaunt yourself like that
As if there's no in between.
Or maybe it's not that I'm afraid, it's just that the last move I made
Embarrassed me to death and made me want to hide.
So if you've ever been embarrassed before meet me half way
And I'll know for sure.
At least
We'll still be friends if I mess up again.
Cause it ain't easy meeting
Someone new.
Especially when that someone is you.
It ain't easy by being by yourself.
It's no fun to be alone,
And I don't want to be alone.
Cause it ain't easy meeting someone new.
Especially when that someone is
You.
It ain't easy by being by yourself.
It's no fun to be alone,
And I don't want to be alone.
My nerves are shot, the coffee's cold.
Wish that I could be so bold as to walk
Right up to you and say what I think.
The song "I Don't Want To Be Alone" by Reba McEntire is a poignant expression of vulnerability and fear when trying to start a new relationship. The opening lyrics "My nerves are shot, the coffee's cold. Wish that I could be so bold..." set the scene of a person who is anxious and hesitant to approach someone they have feelings for. The singer wishes she could confidently speak her mind, but instead she is doubtful and unsure of herself. She acknowledges her fear and anxiety in the verse "So if you've ever been embarrassed before meet me half way And I'll know for sure. At least We'll still be friends if I mess up again." She fears rejection and embarrassment, and this fear is likely based on past experiences. At times the song almost portrays the singer as self-deprecating when she mentions that "I don't know what you think Of me. And I know everyone can see I'm crazy About you and always will be," showcasing her fear of judgement from others.
The second verse of the song evokes the idea that society might be imposing certain expectations on how women should behave in a courtship situation. Lines like "Where's women's lib when you need it the most. Or was it mama who said You're not supposed to flaunt yourself like that" show that the singer feels societal pressure and expectation on how she should express her desires.
Overall, the song speaks to the challenges of starting a new relationship and the anxiety that comes with that. It is also something that many people can relate to, especially those who have experienced rejection in the past. It is a reminder that sometimes we need to take risks even when it's uncomfortable, and that it's okay to feel vulnerable.
Line by Line Meaning
My nerves are shot, the coffee's cold.
I am very nervous and my coffee has gotten cold.
Wish that I could be so bold as to Walk right up to you and say what I think.
I wish I had the courage to confidently express my thoughts to you.
I don't now what you think Of me.
I am uncertain about how you view me.
And I know everyone can see I'm crazy About you and always will be.
It is evident to everyone that I am infatuated with you and will continue to feel this way.
Where's women's lib when you need it the most.
I wish feminist movement could help me in my situation.
Or was it mama who said You're not suppose to flaunt yourself like that As if there's no in between.
Perhaps it was my mother who taught me not to behave in such a manner as to appear indecisive.
Or maybe it's not that I'm afraid, it's just that the last move I made Embarrassed me to death and made me want to hide.
It is possible that it is not my fear holding me back, but rather the embarrassment I experienced from my last attempt at expressing my feelings.
So if you've ever been embarrassed before meet me half way And I'll know for sure.
If you have also experienced the feeling of embarrassment, meet me halfway, and it will give me a clear indication.
At least We'll still be friends if I mess up again.
I hope that our friendship won't be ruined if I make another mistake.
Cause it ain't easy meeting Someone new.
It is challenging to make acquaintances with new people.
Especially when that someone is you.
It is even more challenging since it is you.
It ain't easy by being by yourself. It's no fun to be alone, And I don't want to be alone.
Being alone is difficult and not enjoyable, and I don’t want to be alone.
It ain't easy meeting someone new. Especially when that someone is You. It ain't easy by being by yourself. It's no fun to be alone, And I don't want to be alone.
Meeting new people is difficult, especially if it's you. Being alone is not enjoyable and is something that I don't want to experience.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: REBA MCENTIRE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind