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.
That's When I Knew
Reba McEntire Lyrics
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It wasn't when I sat down and had myself a real good cry
Oh, it wasn't when I tore your picture from the frame
Threw it in the fire and sent it up in flames
I still felt the same
Oh, but then tonight, I met someone
We went out and we had fun
And I didn't see your face when I was looking in his eyes
That's when I knew
I was over you
I was staying busy, trying to keep you off my mind
Baby, but your memory, it put up a real good fight
Oh, I went out with friends to have a drink or two
They tried to cheer me up, there was nothing they could do
I was missing you
But then tonight, there with him
It felt so good to feel good again
He took my hand and I didn't mind
And I didn't try to stop him when he kissed me goodnight
That's when I knew
I was over
Crying in my pillow
Praying that you'd come home
Waiting for the phone to ring
Wondering where it went wrong
Wishing I could move on
Thought I'd never feel this way
I thought I'd never see this day
Oh, but then tonight, I met someone
We went out and we had fun
He made me laugh and we danced all night
And I didn't see your face 'cause I was looking in his eyes
That's when I knew
I was over you
I was over you
In "That's When I Knew," Reba McEntire reflects on the process of moving on from a past relationship. The lyrics depict the various stages of healing and reaching a point of emotional closure.
In the first verse, she talks about the initial aftermath of the breakup. It wasn't when the person left or said goodbye that she started to feel free from the pain. Even when going through the cathartic act of tearing the ex's picture and burning it, her feelings remained the same. This suggests that the physical gestures of trying to let go didn't have an immediate impact on her emotions.
However, in the chorus and second verse, the turning point comes when she meets someone new and they have a great time together. The new person makes her laugh and they share an enjoyable experience, and she realizes that she doesn't see her ex's face when she looks into this person's eyes. This signifies a shift in her emotional attachments and a recognition that she is moving on.
The third verse offers a glimpse into the times she spent trying to distract herself and keep her mind off her ex. Despite her attempts to stay busy and go out with friends, his memory remains strong and she still misses him. But then, in the chorus, she meets someone who makes her feel good again, and she allows herself to be open to his affection and kisses.
The final excerpt demonstrates the depth of her pain during the healing process. She describes the moments of intense sadness, yearning, and hoping for the ex to come back or make amends. However, the chorus reiterates that meeting this new person and experiencing happiness with him has solidified her realization that she is truly over her ex.
Overall, "That's When I Knew" narrates the journey from heartbreak to acceptance and moving on. Through meeting someone new who brings joy and laughter into her life, the singer is able to recognize that she has reached a place where her ex no longer has a hold on her emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
It wasn't when you walked out, wasn't when you said goodbye
I didn't realize it when you left or when you told me it's over
It wasn't when I sat down and had myself a real good cry
Even after I cried my heart out, I still felt the same
Oh, it wasn't when I tore your picture from the frame
Ripping your picture and burning it didn't change my feelings
Threw it in the fire and sent it up in flames
I tried to let go of the memories by destroying the picture
I still felt the same
But deep down, my emotions remained unchanged
Oh, but then tonight, I met someone
But tonight, I encountered someone new
We went out and we had fun
We went on a fun outing together
He made me laugh, we danced all night
He brought joy to my heart and we danced throughout the night
And I didn't see your face when I was looking in his eyes
When I looked into his eyes, I couldn't see your presence anymore
That's when I knew
At that moment, I realized
I was over you
I had finally moved on from you
I was staying busy, trying to keep you off my mind
I kept myself occupied, attempting not to think about you
Baby, but your memory, it put up a real good fight
However, your memory fought hard to stay in my thoughts
Oh, I went out with friends to have a drink or two
I went out with my friends to have a couple of drinks
They tried to cheer me up, there was nothing they could do
Though they tried their best to uplift my spirits, it didn't work
I was missing you
I still longed for you
But then tonight, there with him
However, this evening, in the company of someone else
It felt so good to feel good again
I experienced the joy of feeling happy once more
He took my hand and I didn't mind
I allowed him to hold my hand without hesitation
And I didn't try to stop him when he kissed me goodnight
When he kissed me goodnight, I didn't resist or push him away
That's when I knew
That's when I realized
I was over
I had gotten over
Crying in my pillow
Weeping into my pillow
Praying that you'd come home
Hoping and praying for your return
Waiting for the phone to ring
Anticipating your call
Wondering where it went wrong
Pondering where our relationship took a turn for the worse
Wishing I could move on
Desiring to move forward
Thought I'd never feel this way
Believed I would never experience these emotions
I thought I'd never see this day
I never imagined this day would come
I was over you
I had moved on from you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Spirit Music Group, Hipgnosis Songs Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ASHLEY GORLEY, JIM COLLINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind