Reba McEntire - "Turn On The Radio"
By: Matt Bjorke
From the first notes of Reba McEntire’s new single “Turn On The Radio,” the superstar’s sass and trademark sound is intact. The verses may feel like a modern Underwood-like tune but the chorus of the song is vintage Reba. The lyrics referencing calling, texting and twitter and the hook is as big as one needed to catch a swordfish out of the ocean but what’s not to like about a classic sounding Reba song?
Frivolous fluff? Maybe to some but to me this is the kind of song perfect for the summertime when light-hearted songs with lyrics “When you’re feeling kinda low, let me tell you where to go, turn on the radio" thrive. The harmony singers singing in the background help the song rather than distracting from it and despite featuring some countrified crunchy lead guitars the steel guitar and fiddles are still audible in the mix behind Reba’s fresh, front and center vocal.
Reba sounds refreshed and sounds like she’s regained the swagger she lost somewhere over the course of her final MCA albums. Last year’s Keep On Loving You returned Reba to the top of the charts and gave radio reason to play her songs and this is something they’re gonna have to do with this immediate hit. “Turn On The Radio” is an earworm from the minute go and while the powerful drums may rub some people or longtime Reba fans the wrong way, they only serve to give the lyric the attitude that they deserve.
In the hands of a less-seasoned vocalist this song could’ve been something horribly lacking but in Reba’s hand’s it’s a remarkable success. I can’t wait to see what she does theatrically with both the video and the inevitable award show performances. It's a fine edition to Reba's collection of sassy kiss-off songs like "Why Haven't I Heard From You."
READER'S COMMENTS
Kat says:
Posted: Saturday, September 18, 2010
Interstingly, I am not a big Reba fan, yet I think this song and Reba's renditon of it rocks! Yes the production is a little over the top pop, but that is what this song calls for. Reba pulls it off in my opinion. I think this song would garner a fair amount of air play, if one had no pre-conceptions towards Ms. Reba and her style.
chevy says:
Posted: Monday, September 13, 2010
WHO IS HE I GOTTA KNOW, THAT BOY IS SMOKIN HOT!!!!!!
Tonya says:
Posted: Wednesday, September 8, 2010
I love the song and the video! The actor does a great job as her out of line boyfriend. What is his name?
Lacey says:
Posted: Friday, September 3, 2010
I love the song turn on your radio it is amazing reba is a amazing singer(and actor) she has alot of talent and i love her old songs the new ones are good too though i love reba her voice and her songs!!!! Kepp singin reba!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lacey says:
Posted: Friday, September 3, 2010
I love this song...i Love reba.I have benn listining to her ever since i was like 1 and i am 13.Reba is for a fact 1 of my favorite singers she has a amazing voice plus she is good at acting i love her show she and barbra-jean kill me i love it.The first time i heard this song i new i would like it i mean duh reba sings it who wouldn't oh yah reba haters and if you hate reba you have a serious problem the chic is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!
Debbie says:
Posted: Tuesday, July 20, 2010
I Love Reba's new song,Turn On Your Radio. Reba is the BEST and keeps up with the times. This song is a great summer singing song.
Travis says:
Posted: Saturday, July 10, 2010
I love it!!! Reba is very good with her sassy attitude. I just love it when she does her extreme pandering!!!!She's so much fun to follow and listen to because you never know what to expect and that's what makes her so much fun.
Mike says:
Posted: Friday, July 9, 2010
I live in Canada and haven't heard this yet. I am very curious because of all the different comments. It's amazing how successful she has been lately - good for her. She is awesome
sarah says:
Posted: Friday, July 9, 2010
i agree with Scoot! "Those who don't like the song usually are fans who can't face the fact that Reba has evolved.." she rocks!! im so happy she is back and better than ever (:
Tracey McDaniel says:
Posted: Friday, July 9, 2010
The more I listen to it, the more I love it. Hope it does well on the charts!
Vanessa says:
Posted: Friday, July 9, 2010
I agree will all that is said is the above article. The first time I heard Turn On The Radio, I fell immediatly in love with it. Now I am constantanly listening to it. Reba has a another number one hit on her hands with this on.
Travis says:
Posted: Thursday, July 8, 2010
I love this song. I actually like it when Reba does different things. That's what makes her so much fun to follow and listen to. She can always pull it off because she has the attitude and voice. Excellent review Matt. I agree 100%
SamB says:
Posted: Wednesday, July 7, 2010
I really like the song - it's much better than Strange, really catchy :)
Scott says:
Posted: Wednesday, July 7, 2010
This song is awesome, a number one hit for sure. Those who don't like the song usually are fans who can't face the fact that Reba has evolved unlike those who are still stuck in the 80's and 90's. Request to all radio stations.
gem says:
Posted: Wednesday, July 7, 2010
loved it!!!! Amazing! just to show u that reba is still the best. she is still at the top with the younger girls...
TD says:
Posted: Wednesday, July 7, 2010
I agree with Erik. I am a HUGE Reba fan and this is just more crap in the style of "Strange." "Strange" didn't even crack the top 10 on the Billboard chart. "Turn On The Radio" is awful. There is way too much background racket distracting you from Reba's still great voice. She would have done better releasing a cover of Donna Summer's "On The Radio!"
Pamela says:
Posted: Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Heard it,love it!! Classic sassy Reba.
Jessica says:
Posted: Wednesday, July 7, 2010
I REALLY like it,and i usually hate her music,her voice is WAYYYYYYYYYY to twangy,but this is an exception,it sounds great
Erik says:
Posted: Tuesday, July 6, 2010
I just heard it, and I have never been more disappointed by a Reba song in my life.
Michael says:
Posted: Tuesday, July 6, 2010
I can't wait to hear Queen Reba delivering this awesome song!!!!!! Love ya, Reba!!!!!
Pamela says:
Posted: Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Can't wait to hear it! :)
Erik says:
Posted: Tuesday, July 6, 2010
This sounds like crap, and this is coming from a MASSIVE Reba fan. I just hope I'm wrong, but Reba really needs to stop her extreme pandering.
Ben Foster says:
Posted: Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Oh, it doesn't have to poetry as long as it's not crap.
Matt B says:
Posted: Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Don't expect lyrical poetry, that it isn't.
Ben Foster says:
Posted: Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Now this one I have got to hear. I just hope the lyrics aren't overly dull.
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