Reba McEntire Pays Tribute to Her Mother With Emotional Video for “You Never Gave Up On Me”
Nashville, Tennessee — Country music legend Reba McEntire has released one of the most personal and emotional videos of her career — a loving tribute to her late mother, Jacqueline McEntire, through the powerful ballad “You Never Gave Up On Me.” The video, rich with family memories and raw emotion, is a stirring reminder of the strength and unwavering support that only a mother can give.
Reba, whose voice has long carried the weight of heartache, faith, and resilience, shared the video across her platforms, dedicating it to the woman she calls her first and greatest champion.
“She believed in me before anyone else did,” Reba said. “This song is for her — because she never gave up on me. Not once.”
The video opens with tender home footage — black-and-white photos of a young Reba with her mother, snapshots from small-town Oklahoma, and moments that capture the quiet beauty of a life built on love, sacrifice, and steadfast encouragement. As the music swells, Reba sings:
“You always had my back, through the highs and through the lows
Even when I doubted me, you always knew I’d grow…”
Jacqueline McEntire passed away in 2020 at the age of 93. A former schoolteacher and proud mother of five, she had an enormous influence on Reba’s music and values. Reba has often credited her mom for teaching her how to dream big — and to keep going, even when life got tough.
In the days since the video’s release, fans from all over the world have reached out with stories of their own mothers, thanking Reba for putting words to a feeling so many understand but struggle to express.
“You Never Gave Up On Me” was originally recorded as part of Reba’s Stronger Than the Truth album, but this new video adds an entirely deeper layer of meaning — one that transcends performance and becomes a shared expression of love, grief, and gratitude.
Reba ends the video with a soft smile, looking up as if searching the sky.
“Thank you, Mama,” she whispers. “For everything.”
For those who’ve ever been lifted by a mother’s quiet strength, Reba’s tribute is more than a song — it’s a beautiful reminder that a mother’s love never truly fades.