Yardbarker
x
The essential Reba McEntire playlist
Getty Images

The essential Reba McEntire playlist

Since storming onto the country music scene in the late 1970s, Reba McEntire has been a force to be reckoned with. A bonafide mogul with an empire that has spanned television, retail, and a trip to Broadway, McEntire’s managed to stay totally true to herself throughout the decades, earning admiration from fans all over the world. 

Looking to build the perfect Reba McEntire playlist? Add these 20 tunes, which range from the smash-hit “Fancy” to beloved fan favorites like “Whoever’s In New England” and “If You See Him.” 

 
1 of 20

"Fancy"

"Fancy"
Beth Gwinn/Getty Images

Arguably the song that Reba McEntire is most often associated with, “Fancy” was originally released by country legend Bobbie Gentry in 1969. With its deeply woven story and straightforward tone, the song was a top-ten hit for McEntire in 1991. The video for the song is especially iconic, with McEntire starring in the titular role. 

 
2 of 20

"She Thinks His Name Was John"

"She Thinks His Name Was John"
Paul Natkin/Getty Images

One of McEntire’s most controversial songs, “She Thinks His Name Was John” was released in 1994, the same year that more than 50,000 Americans died after contracting the AIDS virus. It wasn’t a major hit for McEntire, only peaking at #15 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, but remains one of the genre’s most poignant and thought-provoking songs. 

 
3 of 20

"Is There Life Out There"

"Is There Life Out There"
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

This upbeat track with a seriously catchy hook was a #1 for McEntire in 1992. The song was paired with a film-style music video, starring fellow musician Huey Lewis, and earned McEntire the Video of the Year trophy at the Academy of Country Music Awards that same year. 

 
4 of 20

“The Night The Lights Went Out in Georgia”

“The Night The Lights Went Out in Georgia”
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Exemplifying country music’s unparalleled ability to tell a story, “The Night The Lights Went Out in Georgia” first hit the airwaves in 1972, when comedian and singer Vicki Lawrence released her version of this iconic track about love, lust, and murder. McEntire’s version came in 1991, earning her a #1 and crossover success on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. 

 
5 of 20

“If You See Him”

“If You See Him”
James Crump/WireImage

Bringing together three ‘90s country powerhouses — Reba McEntire, plus Brooks & Dunn’s Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn — “If You See Him” was a smash hit in 1998. The song appeared on both act’s albums released that year and remains one of the genre’s finest duets. 

 
6 of 20

“Does He Love You"

“Does He Love You"
Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images

In 1993, Reba McEntire teamed up with fellow country singer Linda Davis to record one of the most iconic duets in music history, “Does He Love You.” McEntire and Davis, who frequently toured together, show off their incredible vocal chemistry on this tune about fighting over a man who’s leading on two women. Definitely check out the video, which features some incredible fashion and even a cameo from director Rob Reiner. 

 
7 of 20

"Going Out Like That"

"Going Out Like That"
Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Celebrity Fight Night

In 2015, Reba proved she’s still got it after 30 years in the music business with “Going Out Like That,” an anthem for anyone who’s ever been discounted or knocked down by life. While not a major chart success, it’s still a hit among Reba superfans. 

 
8 of 20

"Consider Me Gone"

"Consider Me Gone"
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

This singalong favorite was a #1 hit for Reba in 2009. It’s the kind of break-up anthem that you want to play really, really loud after deciding to walk away from someone who doesn’t exactly deserve you. 

 
9 of 20

“How Was I To Know”

“How Was I To Know”
JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images

A #1 hit in both Canada and the United States for McEntire in 1996, “How Was I To Know” appears on McEntire’s 22nd album “What If It’s You.” It was the only #1 hit from that record, and is still a perfect song to belt when you need a little extra boost of empowerment. 

 
10 of 20

“Take It Back”

“Take It Back”
Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

A top-ten hit for McEntire in 1992, “Take It Back” is the artist at her sassiest. The chorus’s characteristic growl exudes ‘90s girl power, and McEntire’s powerhouse pipes really bring it all together. 

 
11 of 20

“I’m A Survivor"

“I’m A Survivor"
Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Fans of McEntire’s self-titled sitcom will recognize “I’m A Survivor,” snippets from which appeared as the show’s theme song when it was released in 2001. Telling the story of a “single mom who works two jobs, who loves her kids and never stops,” it continues to resonate with country fans everywhere. 

 
12 of 20

“Whoever’s In New England”

“Whoever’s In New England”
Paul Natkin/Getty Images

“Whoever’s In New England” is among Reba McEntire’s first #1 hits, and the title track of her very first #1 album. The album launched McEntire into the stratosphere, making her a bonafide country music superstar in 1986. 

 
13 of 20

"And Still"

"And Still"
Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

Reba McEntire was making some of the best music videos in country in the ‘90s, and “And Still” is among the best. Filmed in Guatemala, the video features McEntire as a woman encountering a long-lost love and is a definite tearjerker when paired with the song’s stirring melody. 

 
14 of 20

“Can’t Even Get The Blues"

“Can’t Even Get The Blues"
Gary Gershoff/Getty Images

McEntire scored her very first #1 hit with “Can’t Even Get The Blues,” which topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1982. It’s a seriously sad tune, as evidenced by its lyrics. “I'm going under but it's not too deep, you want to hurt me but it's just no use,” McEntire laments. “I can't even get the blues.” 

 
15 of 20

"How Blue"

"How Blue"
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

McEntire announced herself as a country traditionalist at heart in 1984 with the release of “How Blue.” It’s a stunning tune, one of McEntire’s finest vocal performances. 

 
16 of 20

"It's Your Call"

"It's Your Call"
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

The title track of McEntire’s 1992 album that’s since been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Academy of America more than three times, “It’s Your Call” was the album’s third single and peaked at #5 on the Hot Country Songs chart. The video for the tune is distinct in that it’s very stripped-down, focusing only on Reba singing the song’s sad, soulful lyrics. 

 
17 of 20

“The Last One To Know”

“The Last One To Know”
Beth Gwinn/Getty Images

Released in 1987, “The Last One To Know” is the title track of McEntire’s 13th full-length album, which peaked at #1. It marked an important crossover success for McEntire, charting on the all-genre Billboard 200. 

 
18 of 20

“The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter"

“The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter"
Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images

Throughout the 1990s, McEntire ruled the airwaves. Her reign of #1s continued in 1994 with “The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter,” a chart-topping hit from her album “Read My Mind.” 

 
19 of 20

“I Don’t Want to Be A One Night Stand”

“I Don’t Want to Be A One Night Stand”
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Released on her debut album in 1977, “I Don’t Want to Be A One Night Stand” was many country fans’ introduction to Reba McEntire. It’s one of her few flops on the charts but remains a favorite among Reba’s devoted superfans. 

 
20 of 20

"Little Rock"

"Little Rock"
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Exemplifying McEntire’s killer vocals and characteristic sass, “Little Rock” isn’t actually about the town in Arkansas — instead, it’s about a diamond engagement ring. The song was a #1 hit in 1986 and serves as a solid reminder that money can’t buy you happiness, even when you marry a rich man who buys you pricey jewelry and fancy cars. 

Amy McCarthy is a Texas-based journalist. Follow her on twitter at @aemccarthy

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.