I'll Be
Reba McEntire · 2001
60 min · 15 tracks · country music
A heartfelt blend of contemporary country and folk, weaving emotional storytelling with lush melodies and Reba's powerful vocals.
Top tracks — play these first
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I'll Be Start here — The title track stands out for its poignant exploration of unconditional love and commitment, underscored by McEntire's emotive vocal delivery that captures vulnerability.
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If I Fell — This cover of The Beatles classic reinterprets the song within a country framework, highlighting McEntire's versatility and ability to bridge genres while maintaining emotional authenticity.
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Starting Over Again — This track resonates with themes of resilience and hope, featuring a rich narrative that showcases McEntire's storytelling prowess amid soulful instrumentation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and production but lacks a strong cohesive identity.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate lush string arrangements that enhance the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- The pacing varies, with mid-tempo songs dominating the first half before shifting to slower ballads in the latter part.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady emotional storytelling flow
- heartfelt reflections on love
- warm sing-along moments
- comforting background for gatherings
- consistent pacing for easy listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek high-energy party anthems
Where this album fits
- Themes
- small-town heartache· love's possibilities· nostalgic storytelling
- Career context
- In 2001, Reba McEntire was at a pivotal moment in her career, transitioning from her peak commercial success in the 1990s. This album, 'I'll Be', followed her acclaimed record 'So Good Together' and marked her continued evolution as a leading figure in country music. McEntire sought to reaffirm her place in the industry amidst changing musical landscapes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Trisha Yearwood· Brooks & Dunn· Martina McBride
Tracklist
- 1 If I Fell 2:59
- 2 I'll Be Start here 4:28
- 3 What If 3:30
- 4 By the Time I Get to Phoenix 4:03
- 5 On My Own 4:32
- 6 You're No Good 3:33
- 7 Starting Over Again 4:10
- 8 Please Come to Boston 4:40
- 9 Ring on Her Finger, Time on Her Hands 4:13
- 10 New Fool at an Old Game 3:48
- 11 I Won't Mention It Again 4:14
- 12 Five Hundred Miles Away From Home 4:24
- 13 Talking in Your Sleep 4:24
- 14 What Do You Say 3:30
- 15 We're So Good Together (album version) 3:31
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Come On Come On
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Shares emotional storytelling and a blend of folk and country with lush arrangements.
Living with Ghosts
Patty Griffin
Explores similar themes of love and heartache through poignant lyrics and acoustic instrumentation.
Same Trailer Different Park
Kacey Musgraves
Features small-town narratives and modern country sound that resonate with nostalgic storytelling.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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