This Mother’s Day, as families gather to celebrate love, memories, and the guiding hands that shaped them, one voice rises above the rest — not in volume, but in raw, trembling emotion. That voice belongs to country music legend Reba McEntire. And the message she delivers in her newest release, “Seven Minutes In Heaven”, is nothing short of heartbreaking.
Released as part of her acoustic album Not That Fancy on October 6, 2023, the song is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about moments of Reba’s legendary career — not for its chart-topping potential, but for the way it quietly cradles grief and transforms it into something beautiful.
A Song for Every Soul Missing a Mother
“Seven Minutes In Heaven” isn’t just a ballad — it’s a conversation with the afterlife. Penned by Matt Wynn and Olivia Rudeen, the lyrics cut straight to the heart:
“I wouldn’t ask Cash why he wore all black,
Or have Elvis sing me a song…
If I had seven minutes in Heaven,
I’d spend them all with you.”
No headlines. No fame. No history lessons. Just one wish: a moment with the one person who mattered most. And while Reba never says her name in the lyrics, the accompanying video makes it clear — the “you” she longs to see is her beloved mother, Jacqueline McEntire.
A Quiet Goodbye to a Fierce and Loving Matriarch
Jacqueline McEntire passed away on March 14, 2020, at the age of 92, after a courageous fight against cancer. In her tribute at the time, Reba shared:
“She had a wonderful, full, healthy life and was absolutely ready to go… The cancer might think it won the battle, but we’re giving God all the credit for selecting the time for her to go home.”
But even knowing her mother was ready didn’t ease the ache of goodbye. And now, years later, that ache still echoes in Reba’s voice as she sings “Seven Minutes In Heaven.”
A Video That Stopped Millions in Their Tracks
When Reba released the official video, few expected what they’d witness: an imagined reunion. A moment where Reba steps through Heaven’s door and sees her mama again — the hug, the smile, the tears, and then… the goodbye. It’s a scene so deeply human that even the strongest hearts have cracked under its weight.
Fans flooded social media with tearful reactions:
💬 “I haven’t stopped crying since I saw the video.”
💬 “I lost my mom last year. This song brought her back to me — even if only for a moment.”
💬 “Reba said everything I’ve ever wanted to say to my mother in Heaven.”