The Sad Incident That Almost Ended Reba McEntire’s Music Career

Reba McEntire released her album “Not That Fancy” in October 2023 which featured the single “Seven Minutes in Heaven.” The lyrics of the stirring ballad were about reconnecting with a lost loved one in the afterlife. “If I had seven minutes in Heaven / I’d spend them all with you,” McEntire sings. The video for the song features visuals of the singer approaching an older woman, placing a hand on her shoulder, and the pair spending time together reminiscing in a diner booth — although you do not see the older woman’s face, it is a reference to McEntire deceased mother. “For me, that person is my Mama,” the country artist said on “Today” when discussing the song’s themes. “I hope that the fans can imagine who that person is for them and find some comfort in knowing that someday, they’ll get to spend forever with that person they love,” she added. “Seven Minutes in Heaven” was not the only song inspired by McEntire’s mother.

Fortunately, McEntire was able to dedicate a song to her mother before she died. In 2019, she released the song “You Never Gave Up On Me,” which was originally a gospel track. “Because who besides God has never given up on me? Mama,” she told The Boot in May 2019. McEntire made sure her mother gave the song a full listen. “She cried. She was very appreciative. She loved it,” McEntire said.

Sadly, McEntire experienced tragedy prior to her mother’s death that made her consider retirement.