About The Song
In the storied career of Reba McEntire, Jesus Loves Me, released in 2017 as the opening track of her gospel album Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope, offers a tender and reverent take on a beloved hymn. Penned by Anna Bartlett Warner with music by William Bradbury in 1862, this timeless piece finds fresh resonance through Reba’s heartfelt delivery, anchoring an album that soared to No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart and earned a 2018 Grammy for Best Roots Gospel Album. For those who treasure music as a source of spiritual comfort, this song is a warm embrace, evoking memories of childhood faith and the enduring promise of divine love. Its simple melody and Reba’s nurturing vocals resonate deeply with mature listeners, who may have heard it during her 2017 Ryman Auditorium performances or cherished it as a cornerstone of her gospel journey.
The song begins with a delicate piano and soft strings, produced by Reba alongside Doug Sisemore and Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts, creating a serene, almost lullaby-like atmosphere. Reba’s voice, imbued with her signature Oklahoma warmth, carries the familiar lyrics with a maternal gentleness: “Jesus loves me, this I know / For the Bible tells me so.” The arrangement, featuring minimal acoustic guitar and a faint choir-like backing, honors the hymn’s traditional simplicity while adding a modern country-gospel touch. For those who first encountered it on February 3, 2017, via Nash Icon Records, or saw it performed live on the My Chains Are Gone DVD, it’s a nostalgic reminder of Reba’s ability to convey profound truths with quiet grace, as noted on Spotify and Genius.
Lyrically, Jesus Loves Me is a cornerstone of Christian hymnody, offering a straightforward yet powerful message: “Little ones to Him belong / They are weak, but He is strong.” The second verse, referencing Jesus’ welcome of children “so long ago,” grounds the song in biblical imagery, as shared on Lyrics.com. For older listeners, who may have sung this in Sunday school or found solace in it during life’s challenges, Reba’s rendition feels like a homecoming, reinforcing faith’s simplicity amid life’s complexities. A 2017 Sounds Like Nashville review praised her “soothing, heartfelt approach,” noting its appeal to those seeking spiritual renewal through music.
Musically, the track is a study in understated elegance, with its sparse instrumentation allowing Reba’s vocals to shine. The gentle swell of strings and subtle harmonies, recorded at Nashville’s Blackbird Studios, create a sense of intimacy, as detailed on Shazam. Its role as the album’s opener set the tone for a collection blending hymns and originals, reflecting Reba’s lifelong faith, shaped by her mother Jacqueline, as she shared in a 2017 CCM Magazine interview. The song’s live performance at the Ryman, available on YouTube, moved audiences, with Reba’s emotive delivery earning heartfelt applause, per Country Now. Its inclusion alongside tracks like Back to God underscores its significance in Reba’s gospel narrative.
For fans who’ve followed Reba’s journey—from her 1976 debut Out of a Dream to her The Voice coaching and 2024 sitcom Happy’s Place—this song is a testament to her spiritual depth and versatility. Whether rediscovered on SoundCloud or cherished on vinyl, Jesus Loves Me invites you to pause and find peace in its timeless assurance. It’s a reminder that gospel music, through Reba’s voice, can be a sanctuary, offering a melody that carries the unwavering promise of love and strength for all of life’s seasons.