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.
What If It
Reba McEntire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That I just can't say
So I'm writing it down
In case maybe someday
Our lives take a turn down a road
We can't see right now
I know you're happy
And I'm happy for you
I've been so confused
'Cause I believe there's one soul on this earth
That was meant for mine
I was sent here to find
What if it's you
What if our hearts were meant to be one
What'll I do
Knowing that I'll never love anyone
As much as I do love you
What if it's true
What if it's you
If destiny called and I missed my cue
Do I get one more chance
Oh how I wish I knew
I'll never again put my heart in the hands of fate
If it's too late
What if it's you
What if our hearts were meant to be one
What'll I do
Knowing that I'll never love anyone
As much as I do love you
What if it's true
What if it's you
If I ever hold you, I'll never let go
But if I never do, how will I know
What if it's you
What if our hearts were meant to be one
What'll I do
Knowing that I'll never love anyone
As much as I do love you
What if it's true
What if it's you
The lyrics to Reba McEntire's song "What If It's You" convey the emotions and thoughts of someone who is secretly in love with a friend or someone they can't be with. The person is too afraid to confess their feelings, so they write them down for fear that they may never have another chance to express them. The writer acknowledges that their friend is happy in their current relationship, but they cannot shake the feeling that there is one soul on this earth that was meant for theirs.
The writer muses about destiny and missed opportunities, wondering if they will ever get another chance to be with their true love. They are torn between holding on to their feelings and letting go because they fear it may be too late. The song ends on a note of uncertainty and possibility, with the writer wondering what they would do if the person they were meant to be with was right in front of them. The lyrics are bittersweet and introspective, conveying the anguish and longing of unrequited love.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got something to tell you
I have something important to say to you.
That I just can't say
I am unable to say it to you in person.
So I'm writing it down
I am expressing my thoughts and feelings in writing.
In case maybe someday
In case there comes a time when I can no longer hold it in.
Our lives take a turn down a road
In the event that our lives change direction.
We can't see right now
That we are not aware of at present.
I know you're happy
I am aware that you are happy.
And I'm happy for you
I am genuinely pleased for you.
But since you found each other
Since you and your significant other met.
I've been so confused
I have been feeling uncertain and bewildered.
'Cause I believe there's one soul on this earth
I believe that there is one person in this world.
That was meant for mine
Who was meant to be with me.
I was sent here to find
I was put on this earth to find that person.
What if it's you
What if you are that person I've been searching for.
What if our hearts were meant to be one
What if our hearts were fated to be together.
What'll I do
What will I do if this is true.
Knowing that I'll never love anyone
Being aware that I will never love anyone else.
As much as I do love you
As much as I love you.
What if it's true
What if my belief is accurate.
If destiny called and I missed my cue
If I failed to fulfill my destiny.
Do I get one more chance
Will I get another opportunity.
Oh how I wish I knew
I desperately wish I knew the answer.
I'll never again put my heart in the hands of fate
I will never allow destiny to control my heart again.
If it's too late
In the event that it's already too late.
If I ever hold you, I'll never let go
If the circumstance arises that we are together, I will never let you go.
But if I never do, how will I know
If I never get the chance, how will I ever know if you are the one.
What if it's you
What if it's truly you that I've been looking for.
What if our hearts were meant to be one
What if our hearts were meant to belong together.
What'll I do
What choices will I make in this scenario.
Knowing that I'll never love anyone
Accepting the fact that I could never love anyone.
As much as I do love you
As much as I love you.
What if it's true
What if my intuition is accurate.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: CATHY MAJESKI, ROBERT ORRALL, ROBERT ELLIS ORRALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Jean-zm6os
Great song. So appropriate for our world at this time! Her voice is amazing as always.
@davidsteele6595
So happy this song is available for streaming after all of these years! It’s one of my favorite songs because of the message of unity!
@barabrajames5939
This song is so appropriate for the time we’re living in right now. Love you Queen! 👑
@suepark6700
I couldn't agree more ! She can definitely move the world with her powerful voice . What an amazing song sang by a even more amazing woman .
@buffynickoles4013
Amen it is
@carrieburkey5288
OMG...YES! Definitely in this time..the Coronavirus!!😭💔
@timinman9578
❤️
@starrieyedGirl
I remember seeing this in theaters when I was six years old but there was no one with masks and the original visuals.
the year was 1988 the movie we went to see was Oliver & Company.
@mygirlkat741
A 23 year old song comes back and takes the number 1 spot. This is great Reba.
@sandrahallgren2382
FABULOUS