Reba Nell McEntire
31 min · 10 tracks · country music
A heartfelt blend of country melodies and folk storytelling wrapped in warm, inviting vocals grounded in personal experiences.
Top tracks — play these first
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I’ve Never Stopped Dreaming of You Start here — This opening track sets the emotional tone for the album with its reflective lyrics about hope and perseverance, highlighting McEntire's vocal strength.
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Hold On — A poignant anthem about resilience, this song resonates with listeners through its relatable message and showcases McEntire's ability to convey deep emotions.
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Good Friends — This track celebrates camaraderie with an upbeat tempo and joyful lyrics, demonstrating McEntire’s knack for blending heartfelt themes with catchy melodies.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features solid songwriting and warm production but lacks standout moments that elevate it further.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong, upbeat track that sets a hopeful tone, followed by a series of mid-tempo songs that explore themes of love and resilience.
- Several tracks feature prominent backing harmonies, enhancing the emotional weight of McEntire's lead vocals.
- The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, creating a reflective atmosphere that contrasts with the earlier songs.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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
- heartfelt storytelling with warmth
- steady mid-tempo reflective moments
- uplifting themes for everyday life
- for cozy gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- seeking intense musical experimentation
- prefer fast-paced listening experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked a significant moment in establishing her mainstream success.
- Themes
- small-town community· personal perseverance· heartfelt storytelling
- Career context
- Released in 1988, Reba Nell McEntire marked a significant moment for Reba McEntire as her first self-titled album after achieving mainstream success. Building on her previous works, this album further solidified her status as a leading figure in country music during the late '80s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Trisha Yearwood· Brooks & Dunn· Martina McBride
Tracklist
- 1 I’ve Never Stopped Dreaming of You Start here 3:52
- 2 Hold On 2:39
- 3 I Know I’ll Have a Better Day 2:12
- 4 Don’t Say Goodbye, Say Good Morning 3:42
- 5 Muddy Mississippi 3:25
- 6 It’s Another Silent Night 3:52
- 7 Empty Arms 3:12
- 8 Love Is Never Easy 3:38
- 9 Waitin’ for the Sun to Shine 2:49
- 10 Good Friends 2:16
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Come On Come On
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Shares heartfelt storytelling and personal themes, wrapped in a warm folk-country sound.
Same Trailer Different Park
Kacey Musgraves
Explores small-town life and personal narratives with a blend of country and folk influences.
Hello Cruel World
Gretchen Peters
Focuses on emotional depth and storytelling, combining folk elements with country sensibilities.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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