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.
Why Not Tonight
Reba McEntire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ever since you strolled into the room
Believe me that it's not my intention
If I appear to come on too smooth
It's not like me to make such advances
But this time baby I could not resist
So if you're up for taking a chance on love
[Chorus]
So baby why not tonight
This could be the start of something right
Hey you can take it easy
We can take it so slow
We can take it anywhere that you'd like to go
So baby why not tonight
The stars are out and I'm sure they'll agree
Oh it's a perfect night for falling in love
So why not fall in love with me
Oh maybe we could go out for some dinner
And later on how we could do the town
Ya know I consider myself a winner
Just to have a boy like you around
Then if you're up for doing some dancing
Yeah I know a place they dance until the dawn
Anything you like will be alright
So why not take a chance and come along
[Chorus]
(Why not fall in love, why not fall in love,
Baby why not fall in love with me)
The lyrics of Reba McEntire's song "Why Not Tonight" are a playful, flirty invitation to someone who has caught her attention. The song starts with Reba admitting that the person has her attention since they walked into the room, but she is not sure if she is being too forward. She admits she doesn't usually make such advances but this time she couldn't resist. She then asks the person to take a chance on love, as there is no better time than now.
The chorus of the song is the most catchy and memorable part. It is a straightforward invitation to fall in love with her tonight. Reba suggests that they take it easy and go slow wherever they want to go. She then adds that the stars are out and that it is a perfect night for falling in love, so why not fall in love with her?
The second verse talks about taking the relationship one step further. Reba suggests they go out for dinner and later party the night away dancing until the dawn. She considers herself lucky just to have a boy like him around. The chorus is then repeated inviting him to fall in love with her.
Overall, the song is a fun-loving invitation to take a leap of faith and fall in love without overthinking it too much.
Line by Line Meaning
Well pardon me but you have my attention
Excuse me for interrupting, but your presence has captured my interest.
Ever since you strolled into the room
Since the moment you casually entered the room.
Believe me that it's not my intention
Please understand that my intentions are not to be pushy.
If I appear to come on too smooth
I apologize if my approach seems too forward or assertive.
It's not like me to make such advances
I don't usually make the first move.
But this time baby I could not resist
However, in this moment, I cannot fight my feelings any longer.
So if you're up for taking a chance on love
If you're willing to take a risk on love.
I can't see a better time than this
I don't believe there's a more appropriate moment than now.
So baby why not tonight
Why not take a chance on love tonight?
This could be the start of something right
This could potentially be the beginning of something wonderful.
Hey you can take it easy
We can proceed at a comfortable pace.
We can take it so slow
We don't need to rush into anything.
We can take it anywhere that you'd like to go
We can explore any direction that you desire.
The stars are out and I'm sure they'll agree
The stars are shining brightly and they seem to be in favor of this potential romance.
Oh it's a perfect night for falling in love
This feels like the ideal evening to fall in love.
So why not fall in love with me
So, why not consider the possibility of falling in love with me?
Oh maybe we could go out for some dinner
Perhaps we could enjoy a meal together at a restaurant.
And later on how we could do the town
Later, we could explore the town and take in some of its attractions.
Ya know I consider myself a winner
I feel very lucky to have you in my company.
Just to have a boy like you around
Your company alone is more than enough for me.
Then if you're up for doing some dancing
If you feel like dancing, I know of a place where we can do just that.
Yeah I know a place they dance until the dawn
I know of a location where the dancing doesn't stop until the morning light.
Anything you like will be alright
We can do whatever you desire and it will be completely fine with me.
So why not take a chance and come along
So, why not take a chance on this adventure and join me?
(Why not fall in love, why not fall in love,
Baby why not fall in love with me)
(Why not consider falling in love, why not consider falling in love, why not consider falling in love with me?)
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVID STRINGFELLOW, JON VEZNER, NANCY MONTGOMERY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind