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.
This Christmas
Reba McEntire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When an angel of the Lord
Said, "Seek the Savior born"
Logic told them they were crazy
They shouldn't even try
The followed their hearts, they followed that star
This Christmas, let me be that wise
An angel said, "Have faith"
The Lord will light your way
The road was long and winding
But a promise had been made
From heaven above, that was enough
This Christmas, let me keep that faith
This Christmas, let this be the season
Of peace and love, joy and true believing
Two thousand years ago, as everybody knows
A perfect baby lay
Asleep there in the hay
The world would not believe Him
But he loved them all so much
On that first night, He was the light
This Christmas, let me feel that love
Keep that faith, be that wise, feel that love
This Christmas
The lyrics to Reba McEntire's song "This Christmas" evoke the spirit of Christmas by alluding to the biblical story of Jesus' birth. The song talks about the story of the Three Wise Men following the star to find the newborn Savior. The Wise Men's decision was made despite the logical reasons suggesting otherwise. The singer suggests that we should be that wise and follow our hearts to do what we believe is right irrespective of how illogical it seems. The song further explores the story of Mary who is told by the angel to have faith and continue on a long, winding road despite the difficulties. From this story, the singer suggests we should keep that faith and be guided by divine promises.
The lyrics also describe the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ who was born in a manger in Bethlehem. Although the world did not believe that baby could be the Savior, He came to shower love upon His people. The singer wishes to feel that love and wants this Christmas to be a season of peace, joy, and true believing.
The song encourages us to find hope in the story of Christ's birth, keep faith in our hearts, and believe in love. The song beautifully encapsulates the message of Christmas and its significance in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Two thousand years ago, three wise men left their home
In ancient times, three wise men embarked on a journey from their homeland
When an angel of the Lord
An angel who was a messenger of God
Said, "Seek the Savior born"
Instructed them to search for the newly born Holy Savior
Logic told them they were crazy
Their reasoning told them that it was foolish to pursue such a quest
They shouldn't even try
They believed that the mission was impossible
The followed their hearts, they followed that star
They ignored their logic and relied on their instincts to follow the guiding star
This Christmas, let me be that wise
This Christmas, I aspire to exhibit the same wisdom that they portrayed
Two thousand years ago, Mary left her home
It was in that era when Mary journeyed from her homestead
An angel said, "Have faith"
An angel advised her to have unwavering faith
The Lord will light your way
The Almighty would show her the way
The road was long and winding
The journey was arduous and ambiguous
But a promise had been made
However, she received a promise which gave her hope
From heaven above, that was enough
The promise was from the divine, which was sufficient for her trust
This Christmas, let me keep that faith
I desire to maintain such belief this festive season
This Christmas, let this be the season
At Christmas, may it be a time
Of peace and love, joy and true believing
When there's tranquility, affection, delight, and genuine trust
Two thousand years ago, as everybody knows
As it's commonly recognized, approximately two millenniums earlier
A perfect baby lay
A flawless infant was lying
Asleep there in the hay
In slumber, inside a manger
The world would not believe Him
The world was skeptical of His divinity
But he loved them all so much
Nonetheless, He cherished everybody immensely
On that first night, He was the light
On the debut night, He radiated brightness
This Christmas, let me feel that love
I yearn to experience such love this Christmas
Keep that faith, be that wise, feel that love
Maintain that trust, portray that wisdom and feel that affection
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RICHARD MORGAN BOWLES, RICK BOWLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind