The Greatest Man I Never Knew

Reba McEntire

About The Greatest Man I Never Knew

"The Greatest Man I Never Knew" is a song written by Richard Leigh and Layng Martine, Jr., and recorded by American country music artist Reba McEntire. It released in July 1992 as the fourth and final single from her album For My Broken Heart. The song reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in October 1992. Richard Leigh has described the song as being about his own father and that several other of his hit songs were also from his own life ("I'll Get Over You" and "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue"). The song debuted at No. 57 for the week of August 15, 1992. 


Year:
1998
3:15
53 
#2

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The greatest man I never knew lived just down the hall,
and ev'ry day we said hello but never touched at all.
He was in his paper. I was in my room.
How was I to know he thought I hung the moon?

The greatest man I never knew came home late ev'ry night,
He never had to much to say. Too much was on his mind.
I never really knew him, oh and now it seems so sad.
Ev'rything he gave to us took all he had.

Then the days turned into years, and the mem'ries to black and white.
He grew cold like an old winter wind blowing across my life.

The greatest words I never heard I guess I'll never hear.
The man I thought could never die has been dead almost a year.
Oh, he was good at bus'ness but there was bus'ness left to do.
He never said he loved me.  Guess he thought I knew.

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Reba McEntire

Reba Nell McEntire (born March 28, 1955) is an American country music artist and actress. She began her career in the music industry as a high school student singing in the Kiowa High School band, on local radio shows with her siblings, and at rodeos. While a sophomore in college, she performed the National Anthem at the National Rodeo in Oklahoma City and caught the attention of country artist Red Steagall. He brought her to Nashville, Tennessee, where she signed a contract with Mercury Records a year later in 1975. She released her first solo album in 1977 and released five additional studio albums under the label until 1983. more »

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Written by: LAYNG JR. MARTINE, RICHARD C LEIGH

Lyrics © LAYNG MARTINE JR SONGS, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Background
"The Greatest Man I Never Kook" is a song by Reba McEntire, an American country music artist. It is included in her 21st studio album, "For My Broken Heart."
Songwriters
The song was written by Richard Leigh and Layng Martine Jr. These songwriters are known for their contributions to the country music industry.
Chart Performance
"The Greatest Man I Never Knew" was very successful on the charts. It topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts in 1992, becoming one of Reba's biggest hits.
Reflective Lyrics
The lyrics of the song reflect on the relationship between a father and daughter, where the father is emotionally distant. It features the deep emotion and storytelling that McEntire is well-known for.
Release and Popularity
Although it was released in 1991, the song continues to be a staple in McEntire's discography. It remains one of her most popular songs to date.
Musical Style
The song is characterized by its classic country style. It includes orchestral strings and piano, adding depth to the emotional storytelling in the lyrics.
Music Video
The accompanying music video for "The Greatest Man I Never Knew" is in the format of a home video, featuring vintage footage of family events. This adds an additional layer of sentimentality to the song.
Awards
"The Greatest Man I Never Knew" was nominated for Song of the Year at the 1992 Country Music Association Awards.
Covers
The song has been covered by several artists over the years, reflecting its influence in the country music genre.
Emotional Connect
Numerous listeners have connected emotionally with the song, citing its familiar portrayal of disconnected family relationships and the longing for deeper understanding. This emotional resonance is part of what has made the song endure throughout the years.

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