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.
Up and Flying
Reba McEntire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mostly I guess you're not.
Forgive me if I stop and stare.
I was just alittle unprepared.
So the world has fallen at your feet.
Yeah you hardly even missed a beat.
Everyday your heart beats a little stronger.
But my nights for me get a little longer.
[Chorus]
You've gone on a million miles from here.
Swept up like a feather in the air.
Well you make it look so easy.
That doesn't seem quite fair.
'Cause baby I'm still tryin' to
get myself up and flying.
I should be farther on by now.
I just can't seem to catch a breeze somehow.
I should be free to leave the ground.
With no dreams left to weigh me down.
Well could you tell me what to do.
I've been tryin' to eny the truth.
But here it is now the living proof.
The one I love loves someone new.
[Chorus]
Oh you make it look so easy.
It doesn't seem quite fair.
'Cause baby I'm still tryin' to get myself.
Up and Flying
The lyrics of Reba McEntire's song "Up and Flying" speaks about someone who feels left behind or stuck in their journey while the person they love has moved on and succeeded. The song is emotional and touches on themes of envy, disappointment, and self-doubt. The persona is struggling to keep up with life while the love of her life has achieved so much and moved on. She admits to feeling unprepared and staring at them when they meet. Although she acknowledges that her ex-lover has had good fortune and has not been held back by anything, she sees how she’s still struggling to find her path in life.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the gap between the persona's experiences and those of her ex-lover. The phrase “You've gone on a million miles from here, Swept up like a feather in the air, Well you make it look so easy, That doesn't seem quite fair” captures the idea that life has been very unfair and unfriendly to the persona. She believes that the people who have succeeded do not understand what it means to be struggling to find your feet.
The second verse of the song continues with the same thread of the persona feeling left behind. She blames herself for not being where she should be and not being able to catch up with her ex. She feels weighed down by her dreams and wishes she could be free to leave the ground. She asks for help and guidance from her ex, but the truth is bitter, the person she loves now loves someone else too.
In summary, Reba McEntire's song "Up and Flying” is about the frustration and disappointment of someone who feels left behind while the person she loves moves forward effortlessly.
Line by Line Meaning
Lately I'm alone a lot.
Recently, I am spending a lot of time by myself without any company or companionship.
Mostly I guess you're not.
I assume, for the most part, you are not alone and have someone with you regularly.
Forgive me if I stop and stare.
Apologies in advance if I start to gaze at you, as it was unexpected from my end.
I was just a little unprepared.
I was not ready or equipped to face you or your current situation, leaving me slightly apprehensive.
So the world has fallen at your feet.
From what I can see, everything seems to be going your way, and opportunities are coming to you without much effort.
Yeah you hardly even missed a beat.
You have adapted to the changes and success without skipping a step, almost effortlessly.
Everyday your heart beats a little stronger.
With each day, your heart and willpower grow more robust and resilient, making you even stronger.
But my nights for me get a little longer.
My evenings stretch out more, making it hard to sleep or find rest while being preoccupied with my own issues and challenges.
You've gone on a million miles from here.
You are far away from me, distance wise and figuratively, as you have advanced your life in so many ways.
Swept up like a feather in the air.
You have been carried away by the winds of change and fortune, gliding towards success gracefully like a feather in the breeze.
Well you make it look so easy.
You seem to be achieving everything with ease, and it looks like anyone can do it, which is not always the case.
That doesn't seem quite fair.
It's not right or equitable that some people effortlessly reach their goals while others struggle to even take their first steps towards them.
'Cause baby I'm still trying to get myself up and flying.
I'm still working my way up, trying to fly high and chase my ambitions but struggling to gain any momentum.
I should be farther on by now.
By this point in life, I should have achieved and accomplished more than I currently have.
I just can't seem to catch a breeze somehow.
Unfortunately, I cannot seem to find any wind to help me move forward and progress in my life and endeavors.
I should be free to leave the ground.
I should be liberated and unrestricted to reach my goals without any roadblocks or hindrances.
With no dreams left to weigh me down.
With no remaining aspirations or hopes to limit or burden me, making it easier to pursue my goals without difficulty or restraint.
Well could you tell me what to do.
Can you guide me or offer advice on what steps I should take to achieve my goals and make progress?
I've been trying to deny the truth.
I've been avoiding or ignoring the harsh reality of my situation, hoping it would change on its own, which is not the case.
But here it is now the living proof.
The evidence and proof of my failure or lack of progress are clear and present, making it challenging to overlook or ignore.
The one I love loves someone new.
Regrettably, the person I love and care about has found someone new to love, leaving me heartbroken and lost.
Oh, you make it look so easy.
Again, the ease in which you seem to achieve success is awe-inspiring and intimidating at the same time.
It doesn't seem quite fair.
Once again, it's not just that you're successful, but it looks effortless, and that makes it feel very unfair.
'Cause baby I'm still trying to get myself up and flying.
The chorus repeats to drive the message that she is still struggling to make progress while others keep soaring high.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GARY SCOTT BURR, PATRICIA J. GRIFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind