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.
Winter Wonderland
Reba McEntire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are you listening?
In the lane
Snow is glistening
A beautiful sight
Weโฒre happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland
Here to stay is a new bird
He sings a love song
As we go along
Walking in a winter wonderland
In the meadow we can build a snowman
Then pretend he is Parson Brown
He'll say: Are you married?
Weโฒll say: No man
But you can do the job
When you're in town
Later on
We'll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid
The plans that weโฒve made
Walking in a winter wonderland
In the meadow we can build a snowman
And pretend that heโฒs a circus clown
We'll have lots of fun with mister snowman
Until the other kiddies knock him down
When it snows
Ainโฒt it thrilling
Though your nose gets a chilling
We'll frolic and play
The Eskimo way
Walking in a winter wonderland
Walking in a winter wonderland
Weโฒre walking in a winter wonderland
Oh ya
The song Winter Wonderland talks about the joys of being in the winter season. The first verse describes the beauty of the winter wonderland with the snow that is glistening. It then goes on to talk about how happy we feel when we are walking in it. The second verse talks about the arrival of a new bird, who sings a love song as we walk along, enjoying the winter wonderland. The third verse describes how we can build a snowman in the meadows and pretend he is someone else, like a Parson Brown or a circus clown, and how it can bring us lots of fun. The final verse talks about how thrilling it is when it snows, even though it can make our noses cold. It encourages us to frolic and play in the Eskimo way, walking in a winter wonderland.
Overall, the song Winter Wonderland celebrates the joys of winter, from the beauty of the snow to the fun we can have while playing in it. It reminds us to embrace the winter season and enjoy all the wonderful things it has to offer.
Line by Line Meaning
Sleigh bells ring
The sound of ringing bells from a sleigh can be heard
Are you listening?
Are you paying attention to the music of the environment?
In the lane
On the street
Snow is glistening
The snow is shining bright due to the reflection of the light.
A beautiful sight
It is a mesmerizing view.
We're happy tonight
We're joyful in the present moment.
Walking in a winter wonderland
Strolling amid the scenic beauty of the snow.
Gone away is the bluebird
The bluebird, a bird commonly seen in summer, has migrated to warmer regions.
Here to stay is a new bird
There is a new bird species that can be spotted in the winter.
He sings a love song
The bird is singing a beautiful melody.
As we go along
While we take a walk.
Walking in a winter wonderland
Walking amidst the picturesque winter scenery.
In the meadow we can build a snowman
In the open field, we have the option to construct a snowman.
Then pretend he is Parson Brown
Give the snowman an imaginary character named Parson Brown.
He'll say: Are you married?
The imaginary snowman character could ask if we are wedded.
We'll say: No man
We will say no, we are not married.
But you can do the job
But, you can do the work.
When you're in town
When you visit.
Later on
Afterward or further in the future.
We'll conspire
We'll plan secretly.
As we dream by the fire
As we relax next to a fireplace and let our aspirations roam freely.
To face unafraid
To embrace whatever comes with courage.
The plans that we've made
The preparations we've started on.
Walking in a winter wonderland
Taking a walk among the scenic winter landscape.
In the meadow we can build a snowman
In the snow-covered field, we can construct a snowman.
And pretend that he's a circus clown
We can give the snowman the appearance of a clown from the circus.
We'll have lots of fun with mister snowman
We're going to have plenty of enjoyment with the snowman.
Until the other kiddies knock him down
Until other children push and destroy the snowman.
When it snows
During snowfall
Ain't it thrilling
Is it not an exciting experience?
Though your nose gets a chilling
While your nose gets cold.
We'll frolic and play
We'll have enjoyment and play around.
The Eskimo way
Playing in the snow like the indigenous people of the Arctic, called Eskimos.
Walking in a winter wonderland
Enjoying a stroll amid the stunning snow scenery.
We're walking in a winter wonderland
We're moving forward while experiencing the charm of winter.
Oh ya
An expression of contentment or happiness.
Writer(s): Bernard Felix, Smith Richard B, Smith Lon Christian
Contributed by Kaelyn G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Steven De Vellis
Absolutely love this! Reba is a timeless artist! Love her to pieces!
Anna Amalia
Most underrated singer. She is fantastic. Love her songs
Jessica Loy
I love Reba McEntire, she's got that voice that makes you feel like home.
UAContinuingStudies
Thanks for all the beautiful music...you inspire me!
Julie Bangs
always lifts my spirits listening to one of my favorites. ย love you much Reba. ย :)
Jasmine Center
Iโm obsessed her cute little laugh at the end ๐
Adeline Geesey
Just love Reba!! Could listen to her all day!!
Reba McEntire
I love you too fan ๐ฅฐ am so great full for you being there for me and I will love to share my links and more songs to your email if you donโt mind? Season greetings ๐
Christopher jONEs
The best way to kick off the season ๐๐๐
Reba McEntire
Wow am so impressed my beloved fan ๐ฅฐ I appreciate you so much and I will love to share more of my songs and links to your email if you donโt mind. For the compliment of the season ๐๐