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.
In His Mind
Reba McEntire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The one they took in 1995
He's got water in the kettle
Her favorite cup already just
The way she likes
And you leave the front porch light on
Like he does every night
He can't see her leaving him behind
In his mind
She'll find her way back somehow
Some things never change
She's never far away in his mind
There's a picture on page 7
A happy couple smiling on their wedding day
His kids don't have the heart to tell him
And if they did it wouldn't matter any way
He swore to her he'd wait forever
He don't care how long it takes
In his mind, she'll be home any day now
He can't see her leaving him behind
In his mind
She'll find her way back somehow
Some things never change
She's never far away in his mind
In his mind, she'll be home any day now
He can't see her leaving him behind
In his mind
She'll find her way back somehow
He won't turn off the light
She'll keep on burning bright in his mind
Oh, in his mind oh, in his mind
The lyrics of Reba McEntire's song "In His Mind" tell a poignant story of a man who is still holding on to the hope that his loved one will return to him, despite all evidence suggesting otherwise. The first verse paints a picture of a man who has created a shrine-like setting in his home, with a picture of the couple from years ago on the mantle, water in the kettle, and her favorite cup prepared exactly how she likes it. He keeps the front porch light on every night, symbolizing his unwavering belief that she will come back to him.
The chorus emphasizes the man's inner thoughts and conviction that she will be home soon. He is unable to see reality and is trapped in a world where he thinks she would never leave him behind. He clings onto the hope that she will find her way back somehow, and in his mind, she remains a constant presence, never far away. This repetition emphasizes the man's strong belief and refusal to let go of the idea that she will return.
The second verse reveals that there's a picture of a happy couple on page 7, most likely a newspaper article featuring their wedding day. The man's children, aware of the truth, don't have the heart to tell him that she is not coming back. The children understand that even if they were to inform him, it wouldn't make a difference because the man has made a promise to wait for her forever, regardless of how long it takes.
The final repetition of the chorus hammers home the man's enduring faith in her return. Even though the reality seems bleak, he remains steadfast in his belief. The line "He won't turn off the light, she'll keep on burning bright in his mind" showcases his unwavering dedication and the symbol of the burning light becomes a metaphor for his enduring hope and love.
Overall, Reba McEntire's "In His Mind" highlights the power of love, hope, and the human ability to cling to unfounded beliefs in the face of heartbreak. It vividly portrays the struggles of a man trapped in his own delusion, where his love for his partner transcends reality and persists despite evidence to the contrary.
Line by Line Meaning
He's got their picture on the mantle
He keeps a photo of them displayed prominently on the fireplace
The one they took in 1995
Specifically, it's the photograph captured in the year 1995
He's got water in the kettle
He fills the kettle with water, preparing for her return
Her favorite cup already just the way she likes
He ensures that her favorite cup is perfectly prepared according to her preferences
And you leave the front porch light on
He makes sure to keep the front porch light illuminated
Like he does every night
Just as he always does, without fail
In his mind, she'll be home any day now
He firmly believes that she will return to him very soon
He can't see her leaving him behind
He cannot envision a scenario where she abandons him
She'll find her way back somehow
He has faith that she will find her path back to him, by any means necessary
Some things never change
Certain aspects remain constant and everlasting
She's never far away in his mind
In his thoughts and imagination, she always remains nearby and connected
There's a picture on page 7
On a specific page, number 7, there is another photograph
A happy couple smiling on their wedding day
The image captures a joyous and blissful couple celebrating their marriage
His kids don't have the heart to tell him
His children lack the emotional strength to inform him
And if they did it wouldn't matter any way
Even if they disclosed the truth, it would have no impact on the situation
He swore to her he'd wait forever
He made a solemn promise to her, vowing to wait indefinitely
He don't care how long it takes
The duration of the wait does not matter to him
He won't turn off the light
He refuses to extinguish the light
She'll keep on burning bright in his mind
She will continue to exist vividly in his thoughts
Oh, in his mind oh, in his mind
Repeated affirmation that all these perceptions and beliefs exist solely within his mind
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Elizabeth Hengber, Reba McEntire, Tommy Lee James
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ishkabibble9715
This album is going to be amazing! Not just because Reba's singing but the meaning of all theses songs just hit me. I absolutely love you Reba!!
@Danny-ri6rv
There’s that voice that can break a heart and get emotions flowing.
@mikehoward114
That the master is Tammy Wynette.
@MarkDC-okiefromMuskogee
Whoever came up with the music really took Reba back the way she used to record. Her voice really shines when the music is more simple.
@bryanhall731
Exactly 💯 percent
@ms.almaperegrine3640
Reba is like the only singer I know that has sounded the same throughout her career same voice and excitement and I love that❤❤❤
@tayloririck3493
Agree
@mariaelenamostajo7792
This song has a feeling that runs through my entire body...Thank you Reba you are wonderful, you help me with all your songs
@bryanhall731
This song hits so close to home , thank you my QUEEN
@MrDarwin2130
Way to go Reba! All your songs are amazing!