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'll Have a Better Day
Reba McEntire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I need heaven's help to make through the day
And if I go to bed tonight
And remember to say my prayers
I know I'll have a better day tomorrow
[Chorus]
Cause you've done what you said you'd do
And I've never known such peace
Since I met you
I'm so proud to be your child
And I'm doing the best I can
And I know I'll have a better day tomorrow
Well
[Chorus]
I know I'll have a better day tomorrow
The lyrics to Reba McEntire's "I Know I'll Have a Better Day" convey the message that one can find hope in seeking divine assistance. The singer admits that they cannot make it through this world on their own and need the help of heaven to make it through the day. The mention of bedtime prayers suggests a desire for spiritual guidance and protection. The singer is confident that if they remember to pray, they will have a better day tomorrow.
The chorus speaks to the power of faith and love. The singer acknowledges that God has kept His promises, shown them love, and given them a sense of peace that they had never experienced before. The line "I'm so proud to be your child" suggests that the singer sees themselves as a child of God and takes pride in that relationship. The singer claims to be doing the best they can, and through their faith, they believe that they can conquer any obstacle that comes in their way.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I can't make it through this world by myself
I acknowledge that I cannot thrive alone in this world, and I need assistance from a higher power.
I need heaven's help to make through the day
I require divine intervention and guidance to survive each day and overcome any challenges that may arise.
And if I go to bed tonight
Assuming that I go to bed this evening,
And remember to say my prayers
And take the time to pray and express gratitude for everything I have been blessed with,
I know I'll have a better day tomorrow
I am confident that tomorrow will be a better day as a result of my faith and positive attitude towards life.
Cause you've done what you said you'd do
I trust that you will keep your promises,
And you've given me lots of love
You have shown me immense love and support,
And I've never known such peace
As a result of your presence in my life, I have experienced unparalleled serenity.
Since I met you
Ever since the moment I met you,
I'm so proud to be your child
I am grateful for being a part of your family, and I am proud to be considered one of your own.
And I'm doing the best I can
I am making a sincere effort to do the best I can in all aspects of my life.
And I know I'll have a better day tomorrow
My hope and faith in tomorrow are stronger due to my belief in a higher power and your unwavering love and support.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: REBA MCENTIRE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind