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 Know I
Reba McEntire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every word was a promise I was hangin' on
Swept up inside a whirlwind
I just couldn't see the end till you were gone
I thought I would fall apart
(With) shattered dreams and a broken heart
Scramblin' in the dark
How was I to know
That I'd be ok
Thought I'd lose it all when you walked away
How was I to know
I would be this strong
I had what it takes all along
How was I to know
What I was so afraid of
Turned out to be my freedom in disguise
Now i know what I'm made of
Guess it just took some time to realize
I was blind, I couldn't tell
I put too much faith in someone else
Gave up on myself
How was I to know
That I'd be ok
Thought I'd lose it all when you walked away
How was I to know
I would be this strong
I had what it takes all along
How was I to know
Reba McEntire's song "How Was I To Know" is a powerful anthem about finding strength within oneself after the end of a failed relationship. In the verses, Reba sings about how much her life revolved around her partner, and how every word he said was a promise she clung to. She was swept up in the excitement of the relationship, unable to see the end until he was gone. When the relationship inevitably ended and she was left alone, Reba thought that she would fall apart. She was left with shattered dreams and a broken heart, scrambling in the dark to try to pick up the pieces of her life.
But as the chorus comes in, Reba's tone shifts. She asks, "How was I to know that I'd be OK?" She realizes that she had the strength within her all along to overcome the pain and heartbreak. What she was so afraid of - being alone - turned out to be the one thing that set her free. Now that she has had time to reflect on the relationship, Reba knows that she put too much faith in someone else and gave up on herself. But in learning that lesson, she has become stronger and more resilient than ever before.
Line by Line Meaning
My world revolved around you
I centered my life around you
Every word was a promise I was hangin' on
I trusted every word you said
Swept up inside a whirlwind
I was caught up in a frenzy
I just couldn't see the end till you were gone
I was blinded to the outcome until you left me
I thought I would fall apart
I believed I would crumble
(With) shattered dreams and a broken heart
My hopes were destroyed, and my heart was shattered
Scramblin' in the dark
I was struggling blindly
What I was so afraid of
My fear was unwarranted
Turned out to be my freedom in disguise
My fear was actually liberation in disguise
Now i know what I'm made of
Now I realize my own strength
Guess it just took some time to realize
I needed time to comprehend it all
I was blind, I couldn't tell
I was ignorant to the truth
I put too much faith in someone else
I relied on someone else too heavily
Gave up on myself
I lost faith in myself
How was I to know
How could I have known
That I'd be ok
That I would be fine
Thought I'd lose it all when you walked away
I believed everything would crumble when you left me
I would be this strong
That I would possess the strength I have
I had what it takes all along
I had the strength and ability within myself all along
How was I to know
How could I have known
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CATHY MAJESKI, STEPHONY SMITH, SUNNY RUSS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Natalie Nicole
I have to listen to this song everyday and have for years now. When we give our all into a relationship that turns out bad, we need to be reminded how strong we are. Time is our best friend and Gods timing. We our all strong and beautiful. We just have to stay busy and focused
Natalie Nicole
I was in a abusive relationship and was so scared the day he left. I didnt know life without him. 3 years later I found myself with this song. I was so much stronger then I ever knew.
kris martens
Hey I really like this song
Beauty Is everywhere
I do have to agree, this song got me over my break up as well. I remind myself every day how strong I am, (not just because of the breakup) but because of certain things going on. It keeps me positive, and makes me believe that i'm strong, even during the times when I can't stand to look at myself. Forever grateful for this song. <3
Shalom Lamanilao
Amazing voice. Great song.
Mario Flores
Hands down i love reba.. She has been my #1 for as long as i can rember.. About two get a divorce after 10 yrs.. She always has a song for me and will always and forever be my favorite across all genres.
Ashley C
I listen to this song 12 years after my relationship ended with my children's father and every word rings true. I never knew how strong I was, I should thank him ;)
Andrea Miranda
Ashley C I thank him everyday for leaving 💜
Codi Frausto
amen girl. when I left my first husband. now I'm remarried with 3 beautiful little boys. god is so surprising
Donna Phillips
Every woman should know this ONE fact!