| "What If" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Reba McEntire | ||||
| Released | November 25, 1997 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 4:01 | |||
| Label | MCA Nashville | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Diane Warren | |||
| Producer(s) |
| |||
| Reba McEntire singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"What If" is a song written by Diane Warren and recorded by American singer Brenda K. Starr for her 1991 album By Heart . The song was later covered by Belgian jazz band Vaya Con Dios on their 1995 album Roots and Wings and by American country singer Reba McEntire in 1997.
In November 1997, American country singer Reba McEntire released a cover of the song as a benefit single for The Salvation Army. [1] All proceeds from sales of the commercial single and artist, label, and writer royalties were donated to the organization. [1] McEntire premiered the song during halftime at a Dallas Cowboys and Tennessee Oilers game in Dallas, Texas on November 20, 1997. [2] The song reached number 23 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100. [3]
In May 2020, McEntire re-released the single to digital and streaming retailers amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. [4] A new music video was released featuring clips of healthcare workers, caregivers, and others interwoven with footage from the original 1997 video. [4]
| Chart (1997–1998) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks ( RPM ) [5] | 19 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 [6] | 50 |
| US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [7] | 23 |
"You Keep Me Hangin' On" is a song written and composed by Holland–Dozier–Holland. It was first recorded in 1966 by American Motown group the Supremes, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100. American rock band Vanilla Fudge released a cover version in June the following year, which reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100. Wilson Pickett recorded it in 1969. English singer Kim Wilde covered "You Keep Me Hangin' On" in 1986, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1987. In the first 32 years of the Billboard Hot 100 rock era, "You Keep Me Hangin' On" became one of the six songs to reach number one by two different musical acts. In 1996, American country singer Reba McEntire's version reached number two on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. The BBC ranked the Supremes' original song at number 78 on The Top 100 Digital Motown Chart, which ranks Motown releases by their all-time UK downloads and streams.
Thomas Rhett Akins Sr. is an American country music singer and songwriter. Signed to Decca Records between 1994 and 1997, he released two albums for that label, followed by 1998's What Livin's All About on MCA Nashville. Friday Night in Dixie was released in 2002 on Audium Entertainment. Overall, his albums have accounted for fourteen singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs, including the number one "Don't Get Me Started" from 1996.
"The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" is a Southern Gothic murder ballad, written in 1972 by songwriter Bobby Russell and first recorded by his then-wife singer, comedian, and actress Vicki Lawrence. Lawrence's version, from her 1973 album of the same name, went to number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart after its release. Of several cover versions, the one recorded by Reba McEntire for her 1991 album For My Broken Heart peaked at number 12 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
"On My Own" is a duet by American singers Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald. It was written and produced by Burt Bacharach and his then-wife Carole Bayer Sager and originally recorded by singer Dionne Warwick for inclusion on her album Friends (1985). The song was eventually recorded by LaBelle and McDonald for her eighth studio album, Winner in You (1986). It was released as the album's lead single on March 22, 1986, by MCA Records. Lyrically, "On My Own" was based on a relationship that had reached its end with both parties going their separate ways in a melancholy state with the occasional option of coming back together again one day.
Whoever's in New England is the tenth studio album of American country music artist Reba McEntire released on February 10, 1986, through MCA Nashville. It is her first #1 album on the Billboard country albums chart, producing two singles that were #1 country hits: "Whoever's in New England" and "Little Rock".
"Starting Over Again" is a song recorded by American entertainer Dolly Parton. The song was written by Donna Summer and her husband Bruce Sudano. Parton's recording was performed as a slow tempo ballad, gradually building to a dramatic crescendo. It was released in March 1980 as the first single from her album Dolly, Dolly, Dolly. "Starting Over Again" made the U.S. pop top forty, peaking at number 36, and reached number 1 on the U.S. country charts on May 24, 1980, becoming Parton's 12th number one. Dolly’s recording would also make Donna Summer the first black female to co-write a number 1 country hit.
Starting Over is the twentieth studio album by American country music artist Reba McEntire on October 3, 1995. It was a tribute to her roots and influences, featuring cover versions of songs by artists whom she admired growing up. Among the artists being covered were Dolly Parton, Donna Summer, Linda Ronstadt, The Supremes, Lee Greenwood and Patti LaBelle.
Read My Mind is the nineteenth studio album by American country music artist Reba McEntire released on April 26, 1994, by MCA Records. It was preceded by the first single, "Why Haven't I Heard From You" which peaked at No. 5 on the country chart. The album's second single, "She Thinks His Name Was John", was the first country song to address the topic of AIDS. Due to the subject matter, some radio stations shied away from putting it into heavy rotation. The third single, "Till You Love Me" became McEntire's first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. "The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter" the album's fourth single, topped the country singles chart. The album peaked at No. 2 on both the country album chart and the Billboard 200 and is certified 3 times platinum by the RIAA. The album was released at perhaps the peak of McEntire's pop culture popularity, with a release of this album, an autobiography, and NBC Television special later in the year.
"Cathy's Clown" is a popular song, written by Don Everly and recorded by The Everly Brothers in 1960. The lyrics describe a man who has been wronged and publicly humiliated by his lover: "Here he comes / That's Cathy's clown". The choruses are sung by brothers Don and Phil in their trademark close harmony style, while Don sings the bridges solo.
"How Was I To Know" is a song written by Stephony Smith, Cathy Majeski and Sonny Russ, and recorded by American country music singer Reba McEntire. It was released in December 1996 as the second single from the album What If It's You. The song reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.
American country music artist Trisha Yearwood has released 15 studio albums, nine compilation albums, 43 music videos, 57 singles, 29 other charted songs and appeared on 30 albums. Yearwood's self-titled debut album was released in 1991, peaking at number 2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 31 on the Billboard 200. It became the first debut female country album to sell one million copies, later certifying double platinum by the RIAA. The album would spawn an additional three singles, including "The Woman Before Me". Her second studio album was the critically acclaimed Hearts in Armor (1992). It spawned the top five country hits "Wrong Side of Memphis" and "Walkaway Joe". Her third studio record The Song Remembers When (1993) enjoyed similar success and the lead single reached number two on the Billboard country chart. A holiday album appeared before her platinum-selling fourth studio album Thinkin' About You (1995). Reaching the number 3 on the country albums chart and number 28 on the Billboard 200, its first two singles topped the Hot Country Singles chart. Her sixth studio album Everybody Knows (1996) spawned Yearwood's fourth number one single, "Believe Me Baby ".
"The Fear of Being Alone" is a song written by Walt Aldridge and Bruce Miller, and recorded by American country music singer Reba McEntire. It was released in September 1996 as the first single from her 22nd album, What If It's You (1996). The song peaked at #2 on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.
"I'd Really Love to See You Tonight" is a song written by Parker McGee and recorded by England Dan & John Ford Coley from their 1976 album Nights Are Forever. It eventually peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks, behind Wild Cherry's "Play That Funky Music" and No. 1 on the Easy Listening chart. Billboard ranked it as the No. 21 song for 1976. It also reached No. 26 on the UK Singles Chart.
"Does He Love You" is a song written by Sandy Knox and Billy Stritch, and recorded as a duet by American country music artists Reba McEntire and Linda Davis. It was released in August 1993 as the first single from Reba's compilation album Greatest Hits Volume 2. It is one of country music's several songs about a love triangle.
"For My Broken Heart" is a song written by Keith Palmer and Liz Hengber, and recorded by American country music singer Reba McEntire. It was released in September 1991 as the first single and title track from her album For My Broken Heart. The song was a Number One hit for McEntire, topping the country singles charts in both the U.S. and Canada.
"New Fool at an Old Game" is a song first recorded by Canadian country music artist Michelle Wright. Wright's version was released in 1987 on Savannah Records as the second single from her 1988 album Do Right by Me and peaked at number 11 on RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada. American Country Music Hall of Fame artist Reba McEntire released her version in December 1988 as the third single from her album Reba. It was her twelfth number one on the country chart. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of fourteen weeks on the country chart. The song was written by Steve Bogard, Rick Giles, and Sheila Stephen.
"It's Your Call" is a song written by Liz Hengber, Bruce Burch and Shawna Harrington-Burkhart, and recorded by American country music artist Reba McEntire. It was released in May 1993 as the third and final single and title track from her album, It's Your Call. The song reached #5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in July 1993.
"I'd Rather Ride Around with You" is a song written by Tim Nichols and Mark D. Sanders, and recorded by American country music artist Reba McEntire. It was released on March 4, 1997, as the third single from her album What If It's You. The song reached #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in July 1997, behind "Carrying Your Love with Me" by George Strait.
"What Do You Say" is a song written by Neil Thrasher and Michael Dulaney, and recorded by American country music artist Reba McEntire. It was released on September 14, 1999 as the first single from her album So Good Together. The song reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in January 2000 and number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 becoming her first crossover hit and top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It is her highest peaking single on that chart.
The singles discography of American country music singer Reba McEntire contains 126 singles. They are further categorized by 100 released as a lead artist, seven as a featured artist and 19 that were issued as promotional singles. In addition to singles, eight unofficial singles were released and made charting positions in both the United States and Canada. After being discovered by Red Steagall, McEntire signed a recording contract with Polygram/Mercury Records in 1975. In 1977, she released her debut, self-titled album, which yielded four singles that low-charting entries on the Billboard Hot Country Songs survey. She had her first major hit as a solo artist with a remake of Patsy Cline's "Sweet Dreams" (1979).
