Reba McEntire, affectionately known as “The Queen of Country,” is taking a trip down memory lane as she reflects on her historic Grand Ole Opry induction. “The Voice” coach was welcomed into the Opry family in 1986 during the institution’s 60th anniversary television special, where she performed her hit song, “Somebody Should Leave.”
Forty years later, the country icon returned to the famed stage on Jan. 16 this time to help induct ’90s country trailblazer Suzy Bogguss.
Reba McEntire Marks 40 Years Since Joining the Grand Ole Opry
On Jan. 16, Reba McEntire joined those at the Grand Ole Opry to induct close friend and fellow country icon Suzy Bogguss. The night marked a milestone for both women, but it held special significance for McEntire, who was celebrating 40 years since her own Grand Ole Opry induction.
On Instagram, McEntire shared a clip of her 1986 induction, where she sang her iconic ballad, “Somebody Should Leave.”
Her caption read, “40 years ago this week… who can even believe it? I cant wait to step back into the @opry circle tomorrow night to celebrate 40 years and help to induct my friend @suzybogguss!”
That night, McEntire officially welcomed Bogguss as an inductee, sharing a teary-eyed, heartfelt speech: “Oh my gosh, I was over there boo-hooing, squawling, balling,” she began. “This is so special, Suzy. This family is incredible. They’re loving. Everybody in this building is… thank you very much, I’m crying.”
She continued, “This circle’s very important, very special to all of us, dating back many, many generations back. And to be able to give you this trophy is very, very special to me, and everybody sitting here, everybody in this building watching. Suzy Bogguss’ voice it’s like an angel’s voice.”
McEntire Reflects on Performing ‘Somebody Should Leave’ at Her Opry Induction
GettyIn an Opry documentary about her career, McEntire reflected on her induction and why she chose “Somebody Should Leave,” the second single from her second album, “My Kind of Country.” The song is a divorce ballad, with heartbreaking lyrics like, “I read a book, you watch TV as our love dies quietly…I’m so sad that I don’t know what I just read.”
“I remember how thrilled I was to get to become a member. I was very emotional, I was crying like a baby. It was just so special,” McEntire shared as a clip of her crying on stage that night was shown.
Speaking of her song, she said, “I don’t know why we chose ‘Somebody Should Leave.’ Yeah, it’s a sad song, I’m the queen of sad songs.”
She continued, “I had a friend one time, she said, ‘I was trying to find some songs for my wedding, and I wanted to do one of your songs, but you don’t have any uptempo, happy love songs. All of your’s are sad,’ and I said, ‘I wonder why that is?'”
McEntire went on to share that choosing her divorce ballad “worked” because it was real and relatable.
