McEntire, Reba - She Thinks His Name Was John Lyrics






She can account for all of the men in her past
Where they are now, who they married, how many kids they have
She knew their backgrounds, family and friends
A few she even talks to now and then

But there is one she can't put her fingers on
There is one who never leaves her thoughts
And she thinks his name was John

A chance meeting, a party a few years back
Broad shoulders and blue eyes, his hair was so black
He was a friend of friend you could say
She let his smile just sweep her away
And in her heart she knew that it was wrong
But too much wine and she left his bed at dawn
And she thinks his name was John

Now each day is one day that's left in her life
She won't know love, have a marriage or sing lullabies
She lays all alone and cries herself to sleep
'Cause she let a stranger kill her hopes and her dreams

And all her friends say what a pity what a loss
And in the end when she was barely hangin' on
All she could say is she thinks his name was John
She thinks his name was John





Other Lyrics by Artist

Rand Lyrics

Last Posts

McEntire, Reba She Thinks His Name Was John Comments
  1. K.... P....

    So his this song about someone she knows or someone the song write knows or just a made up song about people having one night stands and getting Aids?

  2. j.... t....

    Beautiful . As all of your music is Reba!!

  3. J.... H....

    I get chills every time that quilt starts lowering. Such a pitch perfect dramatic but simple statement

  4. J.... H....

    Can’t think of a single other country song that addresses HIV/AIDS...that was released as a single anyway. Love this song and Reba

  5. C.... S....

    This song sounds like it's set in the 80's, back before safe sex was a thing. In the first verse she's running background checks on all of her lovers trying to trace the disease back to the source. There's just one she can't find. She remembers what he looks like and she thinks his name was John.

  6. C.... w....

    My Mother has a video clip of me singing a piece of this song when I was, I think 3 or 4. Lol.

  7. C.... S....

    This is one of her best songs and not really played much on the radio. The fact that she performed this song live with no band on stage, no voice correction, no autotune and nothing fancy really speaks of her level of talent.Flawless performance of a very well written song.

  8. u.... n....

    This is still, to this day Reba's best song. No contest. It's amazing.

  9. C.... U....

    I wish we could redrop this song in 2019. How profound the message.

    C.... U....

    YES!!!!!! @cayleehammock should redo it!

  10. L.... R....

    This still all these years later gives me chills!!Not just the haunting message but how great her voice is live!Great song!!👍👍👍🙏

  11. W.... P....

    I wish this song had been more popular.

  12. H.... F....

    In my opinion Reba has the best voice live she sounds great in every song and best performer is my true opinion. She puts her heart and soul into her voice.

  13. J.... F....

    Reba Will you Please Keep That Song Love you.

  14. G.... W....

    This is a very powerful song... the lyrics are sad and her vocals are haunting...thanks for your courage Reba...

  15. M.... J....

    I cry every time I hear this.

  16. L.... D....

    I luv this song. So true to life. Achingly sad achingly beautiful & achingly true

  17. C.... D....

    When you listen to the song, and words you come love what she
    Saying 🎶🌞🌝💙❤️🖌️🎨✌🏾✌🏼🤓👍😍

  18. t.... i....

    The look in her eyes when she sings....
    Epitomizes defiance.
    Who would dare say anything ?

  19. J.... S....

    Wow so beautiful so moving 😇😇😇😇

  20. L.... G....

    A beautiful, powerful song by a true artist. Thank you, Reba💜

  21. T.... P....

    God bless you, Mom 🙏🙏🙏💜. She has always been a huge Reba fan, as well as many other great singers and/or groups.. my Mom, the greatest and nicest person I've ever met 💜, who is close to winning the battle with lymphoma cancer... I love you Mom, you are such a brave and courageous woman😃🙏

  22. j.... w....

    reba has the crowd in the palm of her hand.

  23. Z.... B....

    John Doe

  24. p.... m....

    Reba....I just love her as a person

  25. j.... m....

    i always play this song when i'm down...i have HIV and it hits home for me....i knew the one who gave it to me and he was a dick....i still struggle EVERY day...

  26. j.... ....

    The way Reba looks at the crowd, her mannerisms during certain parts of this song, not to mention her iconic voice, it's like she gave us a small part of her heart and soul in this performance, you can see her passion for getting this cautionary tale about AIDS across. One of the most amazing performances of any time or any genre of music.

  27. C.... B....

    Some of the most gut busting song writing ever.

  28. j.... s....

    I am a gay man 28 how was raped by a stranger and he gave me hiv now i am living alone and i will die alone

  29. R.... L....

    Having seen Reba do this live in concert was life changing.

  30. c.... s....

    Well damn.

  31. c.... ....

    Nothing any female country singer has put out in the last 5 years compares to the power and audacity of this song. Singing about empowerment and taking charge of relationships doesn't compare to this line Reba drew in the sand. Country music was considered too conservative to dare to mention anything about the AIDS crisis. She blew everyone out of the water with this song.

  32. K.... C....

    I've always loved this performance.  From start to end, her feet don't move.  Some minor arm motions, but she stood there and let the song tell the story.  And no one moved a muscle.  Normally in awards shows you can see people shuffling in their seats, getting ready for the next thing, etc.  Not here.  This was still a taboo topic, and she made them listen.

  33. K.... ....

    Rips the heart right out of your chest.. So tragic....... God please take away this horrible scourge. Reba....tell them....tell them all.

  34. J.... S....

    My thoughts and prayers to go to everyone who thinks his name was John. thank you Lord for keeping me safe through my years of well you know what

    J.... S....

    Amen my friend. Same here

    J.... S....

    Smile same here...

  35. 0.... ....

    I can't help but wonder. If I had went to Sydney with John would things have turned out differently...

  36. L.... W....

    Don’t worry folks , it’s legal to give aides to anyone now in the state of California, I’m just pissed , had all the movie stars and entertainers put that much into finding a cure for cancer we might just have one.

  37. J.... P....

    I like her outfit she is best my friend never had excellent good sing

    J.... P....

    I'm thinking of you herself sing she must dance moves

    J.... P....

    You have perfect smile

  38. J.... L....

    I love you music I love your songs I love your voice God bless you

  39. A.... J....

    Reba’s entire career is amazing talent and amazing courage giving us three cords and the truth. No song more then this shows that. Bravo Reba

  40. C.... H....

    A hard hitting song. Kinda sad too...

  41. F.... N....

    I read some of these negative comments and it boggles my mind that such stupid damn people even exist!!!

  42. F.... N....

    This song makes me cry every time I hear it!!No one should stop loving because of HIV or AIDS!!!HELL W EVERYONE AND WHAT THEY THINK!!LIVE YOUR BEAUTIFUL LIFE!!!!

  43. T.... H....

    That wHyeeeeeiiniiiNnne, always gets us all the time.

  44. m.... M....

    That was an amazing move by an amazing lady. Reba knows what touches people's hearts. She's simply the BEST that country music or any music will ever hear or see. I love this video. The AIDS quilt was amazing to add to the backdrop

  45. T.... R....

    One of the first songs about HIV/AIDS. Still very Appropriate for 2019..

  46. L.... D....

    I truly hope that I live long enough to hear the news that a cure has been found for this God-awful illness.

  47. 0.... ....

    The question in 2019 to be answered is this. What does it really mean to be infected?

  48. J.... ....

    Just wow!!❤

  49. A.... M....

    Wow 9 yrs later and i finally get the song

  50. 0.... ....

    The people are like this around here. " we are already, all set for them." I'm like oh good. They say, " but we aren't in charge, so we wait to hear." I'm like oh I gathered that.

  51. 0.... ....

    With all the people's empty promises. And I would venture to guess that promise is a stretch. But with all their activities, movements, and words they could help. Right? Unless their activities, movements, and words although signigficant to them may not be enough. Perhaps even weak and feeble is their activities, movements, and variety and diversity of word choice. Maybe they would be meaningless with it.

  52. 0.... ....

    Do you know why my facial nerves feel like they are on fire? Like acid was poured down each individual nerve. Is that normal under these circumstances. I sense it is. I can't see it. That's the community I live in. I can't see it.

  53. J.... F....

    Reba Will you Please Keep that song I Love you.

  54. R.... M....

    I had a John i think i had a weeked i never forget younge mom with 2 kids i never for get just one of them times

  55. J.... M....

    This song helps me cope with having Aids. It helps me to realize others have it not to feel sorry for myself.

    J.... M....

    You are a strong person, Jesse. HIV/AIDS is nothing to feel ashamed about or to feel that you are "bad" because you are one of unlucky souls to have contracted the illness. I hope you are in good health and enjoying life. Sending you love...

  56. A.... D....

    Reba sang this when this subject was not talked about and how anyone can get this disease this song is about a woman who got it from a one night stand with a man who had it and did not tell her apparently and she died and I don't think he did the song never says this is a disease that can get anyone and nobody should ever suffer from it nobody deserves to die like the woman in this song thankfully they have new treatments today that can atleast improve quality of life and years but it is still a horrible disease that needs to be gone be careful who you trust

  57. U.... C....

    Man....Reba sure can tell a story! I remember her singing this song for the first time....

  58. c.... w....

    Children today need to hear this song

  59. s.... ....

    Wow,I have heard this song over and over so many times over the years and I didn't know til just tonight or well last night what it was about HIV/AIDS and it breaks my HEART that pretty much 99% of the time people with it get Judge so badly most the times the WRONG way and I don't believe its anyone's but GOD's right to Judge I can't say you won't go to HELL for Judging but you shouldn't be going around Judging people when you yourself aren't even Perfect because NOBODY but GOD & Jesus himself is Perfect.....And God Bless for all those people Fighting the God AWFUL Disease in this Day n Age we in AMERICA should be ABLE to put a STOP to HIV/AIDS or they should at least have shots for it like the Flu and I don't believe they even do an its sad that our Government doesn't even give a shit !!! I would LOVE to know over the YEARS how many people have died of HIV/AIDS and Compare it to Cancer over the YEARS and see how that COMPARES !!! BOTH needs to be put to a STOP and in America and we in America seem to be the WORST !!!

  60. J.... J....

    Every decision we make can impact the rest of our lives. Make them carefully. Like your life depends on it.

  61. J.... F....

    Keep on singing about me Reba.

  62. I.... C....

    My Queen.!! ❤️

  63. J.... S....

    Only a heart-wretching absolutely gutting performance could take the heart's of an entire concert hall captive like that. Pray for an end to HIV/AIDS.

  64. J.... C....

    I lost my uncle to this horrible disease. That was 23 years ago now. If he had gotten sick in today's world we may still have him with us, because, while there is still no cure patients can live longer and longer. I hope to see a cure in my life time.

  65. A.... A....

    My mommas favorite movie Dear John .....:)

  66. A.... A....

    Awe ❤

  67. T.... M....

    I have very mixed feelings about this song. I adore Reba McEntire and admire both her incredible talents and her courage. The fact that she would sing about AIDS at a time when even Presidents refused to acknowledge the disease still amazes me. And honestly, since the first time I heard her sing "Weekend in New England", I have loved Reba completely.

    But I hate how this song shames a woman for hooking up for a one-time thing. And it's not based on her gender - the song suggests that any one-time hookup is "wrong", regardless of the gender. I don't have AIDS. I'm not HIV+. But broad shoulders and black hair, and I'm there, one-time thing or not. And I don't think that's wrong. I think that's fun.

    Why do we keep demonizing sex? Why do we keep acting like someone who wants to get off is wrong, or even worse, deserves to get sick or pregnant or die?

    Wanting to have sex is not wrong. Shaming someone because she can't remember the name of a guy she hooked up with once a few years back? Yeah, I'm going to say that's not cool.

    But I'm also going to say Reba was incredibly brave to sing this song. Times and attitudes change, but Reba has always been a fierce champion of equality for all, and I love her.

    T.... M....

    Tommy Marx this song has very little to do with just sex idiot!

  68. D.... M....

    I grew up listening to her music. I will always carry a place in my heart for Reba. She really knows how to tell a story.

  69. N.... S....

    This song is so heartbreakingly beautiful. The quiet being lowered just made me cry

  70. S.... J....

    Should played at school.for sex ed

  71. S.... C....

    😢 breathtaking

  72. L.... J....

    John Henry Taylor❤️💔😘

  73. L.... J....

    Brown Eyes and a Smile That alway’s took my Heart❤️😃❤️😘

  74. L.... J....

    John H T.....❤️😘Forever

    L.... J....

    This song was written in memory of the writers brother who got aids from a blood transfusion....look it up ...This song is about a woman who contracted aids from a one night stand...

  75. r.... ....

    Aug 2018--I remember the first time I heard this on the car radio. Didn't hear it but maybe 3 times as stations "wouldn't" play it. I'm glad that she continued to sing this in her shows.I agree that this should be played more often as a Public Service message. People still don't think so much about "responsible" sex. I can't hear this without tearing up and telling people about the song.

  76. a.... ....

    The first time she say it in public was on the Phil Donahue Talk Show. At this period in time, it was still taboo.

  77. D.... J....

    Listening in July 2018! ❤ 😘

  78. H.... M....

    Powerful song

  79. I.... B....

    I just got full body goosebumps. So amazing

  80. d.... ....

    Love this song so much, & She thinks his name was John! ?? It was!

  81. A.... P....

    Love ya Reba. You sing about life and life can be sad at times but you can tear my heart right out.

  82. 0.... ....

    I made a YouTube video with the characters Tim and John from the based on a true story to be told in a film called "holding the man." I think his name was john plays in the background to highlight the emotion that comes in waves. We all think we are the second wave, only to discover that we are still riding the first wave. A gay theme music video to illustrate this beautifully written and stellar vocal performance that is both profound and impactful. Love having NO boundaries. Love is Love. I haven't uploaded the video to my channel yet, only because I am in the editing processes. Stay tune. If by popular demand it approves, I want to have a presence on this medium called YouTube.

  83. W.... K....

    Love Reba!

  84. g.... g....

    I don't know why I am here but I am glad of the fact that I have been able to see my brothers and sisters grow up and marry and have kids. I have even been able to make this far to have grand nephews and neices my very first grand nephews is now 23 he so special to me. I have 1 friend still here living all the rest are gone. The faces of many come to me all the time day and night I cry behind doors the is so deep I would never want anyone to go thru this. I have ask God thousands of times why me, why was I left here to carry so much pain to live a lonely life without anyone special to be by my side. The way I have been treated by all the other is really bad I have gotten push to the side in every area of life. The services that a person did get were pretty good, someone was always around to help you with things. You get so many papers that you have no understanding about and there was always a social worker to help you with those things and I thought that there would be someone to help me as I got older but no there is nothing all of the help that a person did get no longer here they all been taken away. At 63 life is sad and a living hell I have no one to help me with nothing at all. Most of my life is spent in a dark state of mind I have no fight left and I still do not know why I was just left here all alone. I wish someone cared some in any way I think I would be better to deal. I want to be here to see my grand nephew with kids. I miss my lover and my life and no part of it will ever be back with me. This song will live with me forever. Reba has been a part of my music life and I am so glad she made this song.

    g.... g....

    greg glen you are here to educate people and spread acceptance and love

    g.... g....

    I don’t know you, but I care. As a selfish 16 year old daughter I lost my father, my best friend. At that age you don’t think of the far reaching affects of losing someone that young. I’m a lot older now and not a day goes by that I don’t miss him. He never got to walk me down the aisle, but he also never got to meet his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He would have been so proud of them.
    I’m sorry that you have outlived your partner but I believe you are here to bare witness to the things they couldn’t!
    For those of you out there that love someone that is sick, don’t be selfish, don’t push them away. Make everyone of their days count. Because you can’t get them back once they’re gone!

    g.... g....

    The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life. Sin or happiness is for a season. Turn to the one and ONLY God, Jesus Christ and you'll never be alone. He said he'd stick closer than a brother. Said he would never leave you nor forsake you. Our thinking is not like his.

  85. L.... R....

    great that Reba could make this life feeling song, that must've hurt so much.....no words can relate to her hurt.....love you Reba

  86. B.... R....

    There are only about 3-4 country songs that can truly cause me to shed a tear. Definitely this one' She Thinks His Name was John'...Sawyer Brown -'All These Years', Dolly Parton 'Down From Dover', Tim McGraw 'Don't Take The Girl'...et al

  87. E.... H....

    This is the first time I heard this song and video, very powerful.

  88. N.... B....

    Great Song & makes you consider thinking before you act. The album "Read My Mind" is really great & she has lots of great songs off it, including this!

  89. N.... W....

    I love this song matter of fact I love all of Reba's song because they all tell some kind of story and that's what I love about her so if I ever had a chance to meet her I would tell her what her music has done for me

  90. W.... E....

    It's like a campfire story, but instead of a hook in the car door it's AIDS. She had the raised eyebrows at the end, I just wish someone had given her a flashlight.

  91. k.... P....

    she still good

  92. J.... I....

    After all of these years this song still hits hard all those who we lost to this evil disease a star for each shines from above

  93. F.... D....

    Powerful message. It could happen to anyone.

  94. F.... N....

    When this song came out, the medications used to treat AIDS were useful for little more than giving you a few more years if you were lucky. Nowadays the treatments are much better and can even allow a pregnant woman to not pass it to their child, but it is still incurable. Reba had a lot of guts doing this song... at the time people whispered or avoided the topic of AIDS and HIV. It was like talking about the boogeyman. She helped open up the conversation more in this country and remind us it wasn't just a thing gay people got.

    F.... N....

    Cherokee Rose Rioux especially in the world of Country music! Good for her.

    F.... N....

    I know my friend. I remember when AIDS was front and centre. Yes, I was too young to remember Harvey Milk, who I love to the end of my time and will see him in heaven; and Freddie Mercury..I saw him when I was 15 or so at Maple Leaf Gardens. Queen was amazing. Bohemian Rhapsody was unfuckingbelievable. Here's to you Harvey and Freddie.

    F.... N....

    @Lori Patrick Aids hit the scene when I was in high school. It was so terrifying, I am sure that it was at least a good portion of why a lot of people my age did not play around. And the fear has had an impact. The days of "free love" and random sex are gone...you play with the wrong person you get a death sentence. So sad.

    F.... N....

    Thankfully medications are more advanced. I Lost my beautiful 28 yr old Aunt to AIDs! My family said cancer back in 1994 when she passed.. He was her first, and her last... We were 9 yrs apart.. When this song came out I just loved it. It still brings back memories.. Rest easy my beautiful Aunt Delores.

  95. j.... ....

    Reba, You will always be my hero. For an American artist to sing this to kudos. I will always love you for this.

  96. D.... ....

    I don't remember when this song was released, but I know I cried the first time I heard it, & it still brings tears to my eyes. What a sad way for anyone to die. I am sure there are people who can totally relate to this,