Good evening. It doesn’t matter what evening, but good evening. Have you had a rough/border-line shitty day at work? Well, me too friend. Grab your smoking device and lets get stoned and listen to some Reba.
I am going to listen to her 1977 Debut album, titled “Reba McEntire” while I’m a little bit kinda maybe a lot stoned. Because this is one of my favorite ways to experience music. And so I want to take you on this journey with me. If you prefer alcohol, go head and grab your favorite drink. We don’t judge here.
The youth in her voice? Oh my god. “Glad I Waited Just for You” was the introduction of Reba Nell McEntire to the world. I used to say that this song made me think of my ex-husband. Used to. But I’ve given up on love remember. So there shall be no one else. Actually, I’m sitting here listening to the instrumental in the middle of the track, and I can’t help but think of Mary Poppins (with Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke you animal) and that scene where they jump into the chalk portrait.
“One to One,” always makes me feel like I’m sitting in a smokey lounge watching a woman sing while laying on the piano. I can’t tell you why, it’s probably the intro, but I can’t help but think I’m sitting in one of those while I listen to it. But I do love the lyrics. And can I just say that this is one of the many songs that makes me so happy the old analog days happened. Because I can hear each instrument on its own, and its BEAUTIFUL.
“ANGEL IN YOUR ARMS” is my favorite song on this album. Because YES GIRL. BE BOTH THE ANGEL AND THE DEVIL. Like, my dude, why you cheating? (*coughs* rumors about Narvel *coughs*) Okay, so I’m sitting on my floor and my cats are staring at me because I’m dancing. Don’t judge my house. But when I first heard this song, many, many years ago as an mp3, I didn’t think it was Reba. I thought people were lying to me.
“I Don’t Want to Be a One Night Stand.” I feel like we were all this girl at some point. Personally, I was this girl until I got married. Then, when I got divorced, and I went hard into my hoe phase (don’t worry, I am no dumbass, I used protection and regularly got checked, but like, it wasn’t even that many). Now I feel more and more like the woman she sings about in her Stronger Than the Truth album. But we’ll talk about her later.
“I’ve Waited All My Life for You.” Again, my ex-husband comes to mind. But honestly? If I ever got married again (I swear, Jesus, we will have a conversation because absolutely the fuck not) this would be my first dance song. This one. Reba’s 22 year old voice. It’s just absolutely perfect. And oh god, the fiddle in this song is perfect. Yes, I would bring my turntable to the wedding reception and I would drop the needle myself. This album is priceless.
“I Was Glad to Give My Everything to You.” Okay, I’ll admit. I feel like there’s too many songs on this album that say the same thing. That doesn’t mean I think the album is trash (I cannot tell you how long it just took me to spell album correctly). It just means that I understand there is a theme in this album. But I do absolutely love the way she sounds on this tract. Though I feel like maybe the backup singers were a little too strong during the chorus? But she sounds more like Dolly in this song than Reba, and I absolutely love it.
“Take Your Love Away.” Okay, so actually I’ve never cried during this song before, but I am right now. Because I’m sitting here realizing that this is exactly what I tell anyone who cares for me because I have been so conditioned that anyone who loves me will hurt me and leave me. So I am always telling people to Take Their Love Away. Most of them don’t listen, but I do. Every single time. Jesus. Well, there’s an emotional landmine I wasn’t planning on hitting today.
“There’s Nothing Like the Love Between a Woman and a Man.” This song is just fun. Because she’s right. She’s absolutely right. But the way that chorus hits? I linked the song on YouTube because while it doesn’t genuinely do it justice, I cannot actually explain how this sounds to you. But if a man won’t dance with me to this song they can just leave. And yes, yes I did clap through the entire chorus with the track. Do not judge me.
“Why Can’t He Be You.” I ask myself this a lot. When a guy I meet (in the wild, no dating apps) and I kinda feel my heart flutter. I have to stop myself, and check myself, because I don’t want to get hurt again. And I generally ask myself this question, meaning my my ex-husband being the “you,” because why can’t he just be rude and I don’t have romantic feelings left for him. (That’s more complicated than it sounds but for the purposes of this post, this is accurate.) Though, my ex wasn’t one to dominate me at all.
“Invitation to the Blues.” Another upbeat track. But the lyrics are devastating. It’s a breakup song. But is masterfully disguised as an upbeat track. Her voice is just absolute perfection on this track. So is the fiddle. Oh, and the steel guitar? Yes. Just absolutely yes. I don’t know why he caused you that much pain, but I’m so glad he did because this song is a sleeper.
“Right Time of the Night.” This is the last track. And the piano and steel guitar are the best. Teenager sneaks out with the boyfriend to go drive out to an open field for the right time of the night to make love? God it’s just perfect. She was 22 and singing this! So like, ma’am, I’m not gonna tell your mama if you really did it, okay? Promise.
Thanks for taking this journey with me. I love this album for many reasons, but mostly because it is how Reba Nell McEntire was introduced into the world as a country music artist. And no one gives it the credit it deserves.
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