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.
Now and Then
Reba McEntire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And dwell upon the happiness of way back when
Cause since you said goodbye
The feelings just won't die
And I still long to hold you now and then
A million years have come and gone
And I was sure by now I'd make it on my own
Took my breath away
And I still long to hold you now and then
Suddenly I felt myself wondering
If you might want to try it again
And though I wanted so much to hold you
You smiled and shook my hand
So I'll exist on dreams again
On days when we were lovers and not just friends
And even if I find another love in time
I still long to hold you now and then
Oh, I still long to hold you now and then
The lyrics of Reba McEntire's song "Now and Then" speaks about an individual reflecting on their past relationship with someone who they still have feelings for. The singer recalls the happiness they had shared with their former partner and how those memories still persist after all these years. The song reveals how the feeling of longing for that person has never gone and how even after years of being apart, they still desire to hold them close even if it's just for a moment.
The second verse of the song makes it evident that time has passed, and the singer had moved on, but seeing the person again ignites the same feelings that they had when they were together. There's a sense of vulnerability in the lyrics, where the singer admits that they want to try again, but their former partner's reactions are unknown, given that they only shook hands.
The final verse of the song reiterates the idea that the singer may find love again, but the memory of their past love will always linger. The lyrics suggest that they would rely on their past to survive their present and future relationships eventually.
Overall, the song "Now and Then" by Reba McEntire speaks to the common experience of longing for past lovers and the memories associated with them. The song's lyrics do a great job of expressing the complexities of moving on while still having a deep attachment to someone from the past.
Line by Line Meaning
I see you now, I think of then
Seeing you now makes me reminisce about the past
And dwell upon the happiness of way back when
I can't stop thinking about how happy we used to be
Cause since you said goodbye
Ever since you left me
The feelings just won't die
I still have strong feelings for you
And I still long to hold you now and then
I still wish I could hold you from time to time
A million years have come and gone
It feels like it's been a very long time
And I was sure by now I'd make it on my own
I thought I would have moved on by now
But seeing you today
However, seeing you today
Took my breath away
Was a complete surprise
And I still long to hold you now and then
I still wish I could hold you from time to time
Suddenly I felt myself wondering
I started to consider
If you might want to try it again
If you were willing to give it another chance
And though I wanted so much to hold you
Even though I had a strong desire to hold you
You smiled and shook my hand
You greeted me with a warm smile and a handshake
So I'll exist on dreams again
I'll continue to hold onto my past memories as if they were real
On days when we were lovers and not just friends
I'll think about the times when we were more than just friends
And even if I find another love in time
Even if I fall in love with someone else in the future
I still long to hold you now and then
I'll still wish I could hold you from time to time
Oh, I still long to hold you now and then
I still really wish I could hold you from time to time
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JERRY FULLER, GARY DALE PUCKETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cherylulrich6015
I would love to see this show come back. I watch it every morning. I already love Reba whether she does the show or not. She's got a fantastic personality, sense of humor, she feels for other people.
@lust4lyfe101
Wish this show would come back, the show was hilarious and still is today. I am happy that Hulu has all the episodes. 💕
@traceytansley1659
This show was soooo good. Van and Barbara Jean are absolutely hilarious! Scenes with Reba and Barbara Jean antics remind me of the comic gold of Lucy and Ethyl. Van's expressions are priceless. They support each other so well in terms of "straight man & comic". Love all the characters, although I didnt care for Kira's attitude when she got older...such a sullen, moody, snotty teen, she pulls the character off almost too well, but as viewers we watch to take a break from real issues dealing with these types of attitudes. Also, not sure the sons' character was really needed. Steve & Reba, & Melissa & Reba scenes were pure comedic gold. Often very touching and realistic life scenarios as well, especially ones with her ex-husband. A very well-written and well-acted show that flew somewhat under the radar. Wish it would come back! Reba can act too, very talented lady. ❤
@sithhunter126
You lose all validity when you say "Reba was an unmarried mom". She was a divorced mom.
@darci777
I would love for this show to make a comeback❤❤❤
@catwhisperer9489
I love the Doctor Hunky episode---and also the "Let's Get Physical" one; but, ALL were beyond fabulous!!! ❤️
@jesusiskingofkingslordoflo6727
The look that Kyra and Van give each other when Kyra comes back after being gone for a long time
@stothem477
Like watching shows that celebrate fornication?
@charliecottontail1254
B.J. & Van carried the comic joy of the series!
@tonymeehan7859
my wife and I watch the reruns every night....its still the best show on tv!