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.
O Holy Night
Reba McEntire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
The thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
O hear the angel's voices
O night divine
O holy night when Christ was born
O night divine
O holy night when Christ was born
When Christ was born
Led by the light a face serenely beaming
With glowing heart by His cradle we stand
So led by light of the star so sweetly beaming
Here came the wise men from far different lands
A King of Kings is born the world rejoices
In all our trials born to be our friend
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel's voices
O night divine
O holy night when Christ was born
O night
O holy night when Christ was born
Reba McEntire's rendition of "O Holy Night" is a beautiful and touching ode to the birth of Christ. The lyrics express the joy and hope that the birth of Jesus brings to the world. The opening lines, "Oh holy night! The stars are brightly shining, it is the night of the dear Savior's birth," sets the tone for the rest of the song. The night is both holy and dear, as it marks the birth of the Savior.
The lyrics go on to describe how the world has been waiting for this moment for a long time. "Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till He appeared and the soul felt its worth." The arrival of Jesus brings redemption and salvation to the world, and the "weary soul" finally feels a sense of worth again. This is truly a "thrill of hope" that causes the "weary soul" to rejoice.
The final verse brings the wise men into the picture, describing how they were "led by the light of the star so sweetly beaming," to the cradle of the newborn King. The world rejoices as this "King of Kings" is born. His birth is a beacon of hope for all, as he is "born to be our friend" and to guide us through all of life's trials. The climax of the song is the repeated plea to "fall on your knees" and "hear the angel's voices," as we bask in the glory of this holy and divine night.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh holy night!
This is a sacred and special night!
The stars are brightly shining
The sky is illuminated with prominent stars.
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth
This is the night that our beloved Savior was born.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
For a long time, the whole world was in sin and its mistakes.
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
But then the Savior appeared and people began to realize their true worth.
The thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices
A sense of optimism fills people and their tired souls are uplifted.
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
A new and radiant morning is about to break out.
Fall on your knees
People are urged to kneel down in reverence.
Oh hear the angel's voices
Hark! Listen to the divine voices of angels.
Oh night divine
This is a godly and celestial night.
Oh holy night when Christ was born
This is a night when Christ was born and it's holy.
Led by the light a face serenely beaming
We walk towards the light with a peaceful and happy expression.
With glowing heart by His cradle we stand
At the Savior's cradle, we stand with a glowing heart.
So led by light of the star so sweetly beaming
Guided by a star that's shining so sweetly.
Here came the wise men from far different lands
Then, wise men from distant lands arrived.
A King of Kings is born the world rejoices
A King of Kings is born and the entire world is overjoyed.
In all our trials born to be our friend
Despite our difficulties, the Savior was born for us to be our friend.
Oh night
Oh, such a night.
Oh holy night when Christ was born
This is a night when Christ was born and it's holy.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Reba McEntire, DP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@douglasb.1203
Thank you for reminding me of a gift eternal.
@elizabethmchugh560
Just found this it's absolutely amazing Reba sings so clearly always an absolute pleasure to listen to her her voice is so soothing when she sings these songs sending love and hope always
@pathwaytoheaven12
Beautiful! I got to see Reba many years ago on a North Carolina marine base. Thanks Reba!
@brendastough2800
Always a pleasure to hear her sing with her beautiful voice. I will always be your favorite fan. ❤❤
@GooseySims
I'm constantly so impressed by Reba. This version of O'Holy Night is amazing.
@robbieray1961
What Year Did Reba's Version Of Version Of This Song Come Out
@user-iu7nx4lb1q
She does this song so divinely!
@AllendreStar
Reba , I love you. You have alot of fans in 🇯🇲
@karenoconnor9811
Amen Lord 🙏 beautiful
@sharikalous1121
Reba is my favorite artist of all time, and to hear her sing one of my favorite songs, tears of joy to my eyes. Thank you Reba, God Bless. Beautiful!