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.
Over Under and Around
Reba McEntire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You put me out and light me as you please
But I ain't never gonna be your handle
So you can hold me and hurt me when you squeeze
And bring me to my knees
[Chorus]
I got over you long ago
I've been around here too long
I've been over under around and now I'm gone
You carried me away with your blue eyes
Now I'm heading back for those blue skies
You cut me way too hard and way too deep
You're looking at what a fool used to be
Take a look at me
[Chorus: x2]
The lyrics to Reba McEntire's "Over Under And Around" depict a relationship that is tumultuous and unhealthy. The singer is speaking directly to her partner, who has been treating her like a candle that can be lit and extinguished according to his wishes. She metaphorically states that she is not his "handle," which means she refuses to be controlled by him anymore. She refuses to be his puppet, to be treated unfairly, and to be manipulated or hurt by him. Despite his attempts to make her feel small, she declares that she will not be brought to her knees.
In the chorus, the singer emphasizes her independence from her partner, declaring that she has already moved on and is no longer under his spell. She has also been around long enough to know her worth and refuses to be mistreated any further. She is no longer going to subject herself to the cycle of pain, manipulation, and control, and has decided to move on from this toxic relationship.
Overall, the song's message is empowering, encouraging listeners to stand up against mistreatment in relationships and to take control of their lives. It's a reminder that no one should be treated as a possession or toy, and that everyone deserves respect and love that is genuine and healthy.
Line by Line Meaning
You've been treating me like a candle
You have been using me only when needed and leaving me aside when not required.
You put me out and light me as you please
You extinguish me when you don't require my presence and ignite me whenever you need my assistance.
But I ain't never gonna be your handle
But I am not going to be used as a prop or tool to handle and manipulate you.
So you can hold me and hurt me when you squeeze
So that you could hold me and use your power to hurt me.
And bring me to my knees
And bring me down to my lowest point.
I got over you long ago
I moved on from you a long time ago.
I ain't under your spell
I am not under your influence or control.
I've been around here too long
I have been present and enduring for far too much time.
I've been over under around and now I'm gone
I have been everywhere, done everything and now I am moving on.
You carried me away with your blue eyes
You captivated me with your blue eyes and made me lose my senses.
Now I'm heading back for those blue skies
Now I am going back to a happier and more free life.
You cut me way too hard and way too deep
You have hurt me immensely and deeply.
You're looking at what a fool used to be
You are seeing the past version of a person who was foolishly in love with you.
Take a look at me
Look at me now and see how I have moved on and grown stronger.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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