You know that feeling when the world just feels heavy? Like everything you see on the news is just one heartbreak after another? Well, back in 2017, Reba McEntire felt that exact same weight. She didn't just sit with it, though. She went into the studio and released a song that basically became a prayer for a lot of people. Reba McEntire Back to God wasn't just another track on a country record; it was a massive, emotional pivot for a woman who has been the "Queen of Country" for decades.
Honestly, the timing was everything. She had just gone through a pretty public divorce from Narvel Blackstock after 26 years of marriage. When your world flips upside down like that, you either crumble or you find something solid to hold onto. Reba chose the latter. She leaned into her faith, and that's how we ended up with Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope.
Why Reba McEntire Back to God Hit Different
Most people don't realize that "Back to God" isn't actually a Reba original. It was first recorded by Randy Houser for his 2008 album Anything Goes. Randy co-wrote it with Dallas Davidson. Reba loved his version. She used to listen to it and think, "I want to record that someday." But she was also kinda intimidated by it. Randy has these massive, powerhouse vocals, and Reba wasn't sure if she could do it justice.
Turns out, she could.
Her version starts out so quiet. Just her voice and a little bit of piano. It feels like she’s whispering to you in a kitchen at 2:00 AM. But then it builds. By the time that final chorus hits, there’s a full orchestra, and she’s hitting those big notes that remind you why she’s a legend. It’s not just about the music, though. The lyrics are what really gut people.
"You gotta get down on your knees, believe / Fold your hands and beg and plead / Gotta keep on praying / You gotta cry, rain tears of pain / Pound the floor and scream His name"
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It’s raw. It’s not a "polite" church song. It’s about the kind of prayer you do when you’re at the end of your rope.
The Double-Album Gamble
When Reba told her team she wanted to do a gospel album, she didn't do it halfway. She released a double disc.
The first half was all the old-school hymns she grew up singing in Oklahoma. Think "Jesus Loves Me" and "Amazing Grace."
The second half was new stuff. Contemporary. Modern.
"Back to God" was the lead single for the second half. It worked. The album debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard Top Country Albums and Top Christian Albums charts. That's a huge deal. It made her only the second artist ever to have a No. 1 album in four different decades.
The Music Video and the "Mama's Crying" Factor
If you’ve seen the music video, you know it’s a tear-jerker. They filmed it at a historic church in Nashville with these incredible stained-glass windows. The video shows different people going through absolute hell—grief, loss, fear—and finding their way to the pews.
Reba has always been great at storytelling, but this felt more personal. She was 61 at the time. She wasn't trying to chase a radio trend or sound like the younger girls on the charts. She was just being Reba.
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One of the most intense parts of the song is the opening line: "Have you heard the sound of Mama's crying?" It’s a reference to the collective pain mothers feel when the world gets violent or their kids aren't safe. For Reba, family has always been the center. In fact, she even got her own mom, Jackie, and her sisters to sing on the album.
That 2023 Lauren Daigle Connection
A lot of fans recently rediscovered the song because of a new version. In 2023, Reba teamed up with contemporary Christian star Lauren Daigle for an acoustic rendition. If you thought the original was emotional, this one is even more stripped back.
Their voices together are sort of magic. Lauren has that smoky, soulful tone, and Reba has that classic country ring. It brought the song to a whole new generation of listeners who maybe didn't grow up with Reba’s 90s hits.
What Most People Miss About the Lyrics
There’s been some debate over the years about the "message" of the song. Some critics argued it advocates for "prayer without action." But if you listen to Reba talk about it, she sees it differently. To her, prayer is the fuel for the action.
She’s always been a "roll up your sleeves" kind of person. She’s built a business empire, she’s acted on Broadway, she’s done TV. She doesn't just sit around. For her, giving the world "back to God" means finding a moral compass again when everything feels like it’s spinning out of control.
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It's also about humility. The song basically says: You can't fix this on your own. Whether you're religious or not, there's something pretty relatable about admitting you don't have all the answers.
Why It Still Matters Today
Music moves fast. Most songs have a shelf life of about three months before they're buried under the next viral TikTok sound. But "Back to God" has stuck around.
- It’s universal. Everyone knows what it feels like to be afraid for their kids or to lose a love.
- The production is timeless. By avoiding too many "trendy" 2017 electronic sounds, the song doesn't feel dated.
- It’s authentic. You can hear the cracks in Reba's voice. You can tell she's been through it.
People still use this song for funerals, for prayer vigils, and just for those days when they need to cry in the car. It’s a "safe space" song.
How to Listen and What to Do Next
If you’re looking to really experience this track, don't just put it on as background noise while you’re doing dishes.
- Listen to the 2017 original first. Pay attention to the way the drums kick in during the second chorus. It’s meant to feel like a heartbeat.
- Watch the music video. It adds a layer of visual storytelling that helps the lyrics land harder.
- Check out the Lauren Daigle version. It’s better for quiet reflection or meditation.
- Read the lyrics to Randy Houser’s version. Compare how a male perspective vs. a female perspective changes the "weight" of the words.
Reba’s move into gospel wasn't just a side project. It was a career-defining moment that proved she could dominate any genre she touched, as long as she stayed true to herself. Whether you're a lifelong fan or just someone who stumbled upon the song during a hard time, there's no denying the power of that red-headed Oklahoman singing her heart out.
Next Steps for the Listener:
To get the most out of Reba's spiritual journey, listen to the full Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope album in order. The transition from the traditional hymns on Disc 1 to the modern anthems on Disc 2 tells a story of how faith evolves from childhood tradition into a personal lifeline. If you're going through a tough transition yourself, pay close attention to the track "I Got the Lord on My Side," which Reba co-wrote with her mother—it's the perfect upbeat counterpoint to the heavy soul-searching of "Back to God."