The History of the Kenny Rogers Song, The Gambler
There are songs that transcend genres. Like how the country twang of Elvis Presley made him the King of Rock and Roll or Johnny Cash’s penchant for rebellion made him the first rock star of country. In fact, country music has seen some of the biggest crossover successes throughout its long history, with few being more prolific than Kenny Rogers’, The Gambler.
As one of the top-selling recording artists of all time, Kenny Rogers was more than just a country star. His music spanned multiple genres and featured duets with some of the most prolific and talented singers of any generation. Even though he would have songs that went on to sell more copies over the years, no song personified Rogers better than The Gambler.
Songwriter Don Schlitz had been struggling to make it in Nashville for years when he first wrote the song in 1976 while working the graveyard shift as a computer operator. The song would eventually be recorded by multiple singers, including Schlitz himself, before it landed on the desk of Larry Butler. Butler was working with two singers at the time. Johnny Cash and Kenny Rogers both recorded their own versions of the song, but when Cash’s well documented personal battles caused him to be distracted and uncharacteristically dull during the recording session, it was Rogers’ version that would win out.
VIDEO:
The song might have struggled to find a home, but with Rogers’ authentic, caring, yet rugged delivery, The Gambler became a massive hit very quickly, reaching number one in the country charts and number three in the adult contemporary charts in 1978. While it certainly wasn’t the first hit in Kenny Rogers’ career, it quickly became his signature song. He made it the title track to his new album and it soon became his most requested song at his concerts, dominating airwaves in multiple genres across the country.
While its unusual structure and narrative focus might have been a barrier for the song for several years, it is also what has made the song so iconic more than forty years following its release. The song appears to feature a character giving the younger man tips on how to win at poker, but it quickly becomes apparent he’s not talking about the game; he’s talking about life. Nowadays, people can get their tips on how to win at poker from online resources, but the record harks back to a day when it was a grisly man on a train, weary from a life of sitting around tables who handed out the advice. The folksy narrative combined with spirited vocals struck a chord with many fans and has earned the song a place in the public’s heart and in music history.
The Gambler was such a huge hit for Rogers’ that it helped spawn an entire other career for him. After winning a Grammy for Best Country Male Vocalist for the song, it would eventually spin off into a string of TV movies based on the lyrics, with Kenny Rogers making an appearance as the title character.
Despite it becoming synonymous with Rogers, he very nearly didn’t end up recording it at all. Early in the recording process, he tried to pass The Gambler over to Willie Nelson. Nelson says that Rogers played the song for him and that he liked it, but he ultimately passed on it because he already had a song with “100 verses in it” called Red Headed Stranger.
The Gambler might be over forty years old, but it still remains relevant to modern listeners. The lessons contained within the lyrics still resonate with people of all ages, giving them advice that certainly transcends the poker table. For all the chances and coincidences it took to bring the song to life, it certainly appears that it will remain with us all for generations to come.
For more information about classic rock and country news, including what is new with Chicago these days, be sure to stay up to date on our blog.
