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.
Love Land
Reba McEntire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a Vegas wedding chapel
They were herding 'em in and out of there
Like they were cattle
Not exactly the fairytale that she had planned
But mama said, "Aren't you supposed to get married, girl
Before you bring a baby in this world?"
And all she could say was "yes ma'am"
In Love Land
She said, "mama, I really love this man"
Love Land
Seemed like a lifetime, driving from Vegas to Oklahoma
"If you're allowed a number of mistakes in life," she said
"Maybe I filled my quarter"
They called in a reception, saying you did the right thing
But they smiled, their broken smiles said
"Who needs to walk down the aisle?"
As she showed off her wedding ring
They walked away hand in hand
To Love Land
She said, "I really love this man"
Love Land
Amazing all the progress we've made
Since the days of Thomas Edison
Still only God gives life
In spite of modern medicine
The doctors' voices whispered
"We did all that we could do
But your baby wasn't strong enough
To make it the whole nine months"
And as their world broke in two
He said, "I'll carry you through
To Love Land"
She said, "for the longest time I've blamed myself
Thought I was paying for my mistakes"
But they tried again, now they're watching him
Blow three candles out
He's daddy's little man
She said, "only God could've planned the steps I've taken
That led me to where I am
Love Land
Love, Love Land
Anywhere you hold my hand is Love Land
Ooh, Love Land"
Reba McEntire's song Love Land tells the story of a woman who finds herself in an unexpected situation. While in a Vegas wedding chapel, she admits to her mother that she loves the man she is getting married to, despite it not being the fairytale wedding she had imagined. As they drive back to Oklahoma, the bride wonders if she has already made too many mistakes in life, and if this was just another one. The couple receives congratulations on their marriage, but the smiles of those offering congratulations betray their belief that walking down the aisle isn't necessary.
In a heartbreaking turn, the woman later learns that the baby she was carrying wasn't strong enough to survive. As she grieves, her partner promises to carry her through to Love Land. The song ends on a hopeful note as the couple tries again and is successful. The woman realizes that the steps she took in life led her to where she is now, and she cherishes the love she shares with her partner.
The lyrics capture the idea that life doesn't always go as planned, but it can still be filled with love and hope. Even in the face of tragedy and disappointment, the couple in the song finds comfort in their love for each other. Ultimately, Love Land is a celebration of the transformative and healing power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
She wasn't wearing a wedding dress
The singer of the story was not dressed as traditionally expected for a wedding.
In a Vegas wedding chapel
The wedding ceremony took place in Las Vegas, which is known for its quick and informal marriages.
They were herding 'em in and out of there
Like they were cattle
The wedding chapel did not provide a personalized or romantic experience, and treated the attendees more like a commodity than individuals.
Not exactly the fairytale that she had planned
The artist had a different, more elaborate vision of what her wedding day would be like.
But mama said, "Aren't you supposed to get married, girl
Before you bring a baby in this world?"
And all she could say was "yes ma'am"
The artist got married in part because her mother believed it was the right thing to do before having a child, and she wanted to please her mother.
She called her from that chapel
In Love Land
She said, "mama, I really love this man"
Love Land
The singer called her mother from the wedding chapel in Las Vegas to tell her that she loved her new husband despite the unconventional circumstances.
Seemed like a lifetime, driving from Vegas to Oklahoma
The trip from Las Vegas to Oklahoma felt incredibly long, and likely added to the stress of their situation.
"If you're allowed a number of mistakes in life," she said
"Maybe I filled my quarter"
The artist reflects on her past mistakes and feels that she may have already used up her allotment of errors.
They called in a reception, saying you did the right thing
But they smiled, their broken smiles said
"Who needs to walk down the aisle?"
As she showed off her wedding ring
At the wedding reception, people congratulated the couple but their smiles were forced and conveyed a sense that they did not believe a traditional wedding was necessary.
They walked away hand in hand
To Love Land
She said, "I really love this man"
Love Land
Despite the unconventional start to their marriage, the couple walked away together and in love, calling their state of union "Love Land."
Amazing all the progress we've made
Since the days of Thomas Edison
Still only God gives life
In spite of modern medicine
Despite all the advancements in technology and medicine, life is still ultimately under the control of a higher power.
The doctors' voices whispered
"We did all that we could do
But your baby wasn't strong enough
To make it the whole nine months"
And as their world broke in two
He said, "I'll carry you through
To Love Land"
The doctors tried to save the artist's baby, but it was not meant to be. Her husband promises to support her through the heartbreak and take her back to their place of love.
She said, "for the longest time I've blamed myself
Thought I was paying for my mistakes"
After losing her baby, the singer felt guilty and responsible, and thought that the tragedy was a result of her own past errors.
But they tried again, now they're watching him
Blow three candles out
He's daddy's little man
The couple eventually had another child, who is now three years old and cherished by both of his parents.
She said, "only God could've planned the steps I've taken
That led me to where I am
Love Land
Love, Love Land
Anywhere you hold my hand is Love Land
Ooh, Love Land"
The singer recognizes that everything happens for a reason and that her journey has led her to a place of love and happiness. She sees Love Land as a state of being regardless of physical location, and is grateful for her husband's presence in her life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: TOM DOUGLAS, RACHEL THIBODEAU
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind