Reliving the Emotion: “I Know How He Feels” by Reba McEntire (1987) – A Timeless Country Ballad That Still Resonates
In the vast and ever-evolving tapestry of American country music, few voices have managed to embody both vulnerability and strength quite like that of Reba McEntire. Her 1987 ballad, “I Know How He Feels”, is a poignant example of her ability to capture complex emotions with sincerity, subtlety, and grace. Released during the peak of Reba’s artistic rise in the late 1980s, this tender song remains one of her most evocative and enduring performances, a shining gem in her already celebrated discography.
“I Know How He Feels” came out as a single from her landmark album Reba, and quickly resonated with a wide audience, becoming her eleventh number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. But chart success aside, it is the emotional intelligence woven through the lyrics and her heartfelt delivery that secures its place as an essential listen for any fan of introspective country storytelling.
The strength of the song lies in its elegant simplicity. It tells the story of a woman quietly acknowledging the heartache of seeing a former lover move on. There is no bitterness here, no drama—just a soft, melancholic acceptance that shows McEntire’s remarkable interpretive skill. With each line, she draws the listener into a place of shared experience and common humanity. The song speaks gently, but powerfully, to anyone who has loved and lost.
Reba’s vocal performance is especially noteworthy. Rather than rely on vocal acrobatics, she opts for restraint, allowing emotion to simmer just beneath the surface. Her nuanced phrasing and tone carry the weight of the lyric, painting a vivid emotional landscape without ever resorting to overwrought sentimentality. The result is a track that feels both deeply personal and broadly relatable.
The musical arrangement plays a supportive yet crucial role in the track’s impact. Soft piano lines, gentle steel guitar, and subtle strings swirl around McEntire’s voice, giving the song a timeless texture that remains as evocative today as it was nearly four decades ago. It’s a reminder of an era in country music when storytelling and emotional accuracy were prized above all else—a tradition that Reba helped define.
As the years pass, “I Know How He Feels” continues to strike a chord with listeners both old and new. In an age flooded with instant digital content, it is works like this one that quietly remind us of music’s ability to capture life’s quiet devastations and lingering memories. Reba McEntire’s sincere artistry elevates this song into something more than just a radio hit—it becomes a touchstone of relatable sorrow, crafted with care and sung with dignity.
For those revisiting the song or discovering it for the first time, “I Know How He Feels” is more than just a window into 1980s Nashville. It’s a masterclass in emotional storytelling and the enduring power of song. Years after its initial release, it still speaks with quiet truth to the heart—and that, more than any chart position, is the mark of a classic.