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.
Softly And Tenderly
Reba McEntire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Calling for you and for me
See, on the portals, He's waiting and watching
Watching for you and for me
Come home, come home
Ye who are weary come home
Calling, 'o sinner, come home
O for the wonderful love He has promised
Promised for you and for me
Though we have sinned He has mercy and pardon
Pardon for you and for me
Come home, come home
Ye who are weary come home
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling
Calling, 'o sinner, come home
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling
Calling for you and for me
See, on the portals, He's waiting and watching
Watching for you and for me
Come home, come home
Ye who are weary come home
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling
Calling, 'o sinner, come home
Calling, 'o sinner, come home
Come home
Reba McEntire's song "Softly and Tenderly" is a hymn that is meant to inspire listeners to come closer to God. The lyrics put emphasis on the fact that Jesus is constantly calling out for both sinners and believers who have lost their way. The portals that the lyrics reference could signify the gates of heaven or the entryway to a new life with Christ. It is through this gateway that Jesus is waiting and watching for us.
The refrain "Come home" is meant to be an invitation to return to the flock, especially for those who are feeling burdened, weary, and weighed down by sin. In the second verse, McEntire emphasizes the mercy and pardon that Jesus offers to those who have sinned, and the song is a gentle and comforting call to all that if they just listen to His voice, they will be able to find peace and rest in God's love.
In conclusion, "Softly and Tenderly" is a gentle reminder of the love and grace extended by God to all people. It encourages listeners, especially those who may have strayed away, to return home to a place of love and acceptance. The soothing melody and lyrics serve as a powerful reminder of God's guidance and presence, guiding listeners back to the flock.
Line by Line Meaning
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling
Jesus is calling in a gentle and loving manner
Calling for you and for me
He is inviting us to answer His call
See, on the portals, He's waiting and watching
He is patiently waiting for us to come to Him, looking out for our arrival
Watching for you and for me
He is eagerly awaiting the return of both you and me
Come home, come home
He is encouraging us to come back to Him
Ye who are weary come home
He is calling out to those of us who are tired and burdened, urging us to come to Him for rest and comfort
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling
His call is one of deep sincerity and affection
Calling, 'o sinner, come home
He specifically reaches out to those of us who have sinned and gone astray, inviting us to return to Him
O for the wonderful love He has promised
He has pledged an amazing love to us
Promised for you and for me
This love is for each and every one of us, individually
Though we have sinned He has mercy and pardon
Despite our flaws and mistakes, He is willing to forgive us and show us compassion
Pardon for you and for me
He freely offers His forgiveness to all of us
Calling, 'o sinner, come home
Once again, He reiterates His loving plea for us to return to Him
Come home, come home
His call remains constant and continuous
Ye who are weary come home
Even if we are exhausted and downcast, He invites us to find refuge in Him
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling
His call is saturated with earnestness and affection
Calling, 'o sinner, come home
Once again, He specifically calls out to those of us who have gone astray, urging us to come back to Him
Come home,
His love and invitation remain unwavering
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Bluewater Music Corp., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Will L. Thompson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Elsie Lees
Love this hymn...Nice to know He is waiting for me!
Linda Burns
This is soooooo beautifully done Reba!!! God bless 🙏⚘🎼💋🙂❤🦋
ayronsmama05
Always one of my favorites.
wayne hamilton
He truly is calling us to something that shows his Love.
Susanna Bonke
Wonderful singer. Everlasting truth.
Jennifer Dijames
Good job Reba.
Tim Wright
Thank you
Amanda Beaird
I AM FKN FIGHTIN MAD , I NEED TO GO TO TENNESSEE , IM NOT SCARED , IM BLESSED , HOW THE HECK MUCH IS AN UBER ETC GONNA COST ME TO GET TF OUTTA HERE , I LISTEN TO GOD , AND "EVERYTHING ON EARTH WITH A HEART BEAT , SOME DEEMED WITHOUT"
IT IS TO FKN COLD TO WALK....
I BEEN RUNNIN AWAY N DANCIN SINCE A BABY......
IVE HAD BALLS , I GOT HEART , I GOT SOUL , GOT LOVE ENOUGH TO MOVE MOUNTAINS SO TO SPEAK ,
I WILL A RIDE A DANG BIKE" !!!!