The Kenny Rogers Lucille song was was released in January 1977 as the second and final single from the album Kenny Rogers. It became Rogers’ first major hit as a solo artist after leaving the successful country/rock group The First Edition the previous year. This song reached number 1 on the Billboard Country Singles chart starting April 2, 1997 and number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The song, which tells the story of a man who is left by his wife and subsequently finds comfort in the arms of a stranger named Lucille, has become a staple of country music and remains one of Rogers’ most enduring hits.
Watch the audio video, the live video performance, and see the written lyrics below.
Kenny Rogers Lucille Live Video
Kenny Rogers Lucille Audio Video
This song was written by Roger Bowling and Hal Bynum.
Kenny Rogers Lucille Lyrics
In a bar in Toledo across from the depot
On a barstool, she took off her ring
I thought I’d get closer so I walked on over
I sat down and asked her name
When the drinks finally hit her she said “I’m no quitter
But I finally quit livin’ on dreams
I’m hungry for laughter and here ever after
I’m after whatever the other life brings”
In the mirror, I saw him and I closely watched him
I thought how he looked out of place
He came to the woman who sat there beside me
He had a strange look on his face
The big hands were calloused, he looked like a mountain
For a minute I thought I was dead
But he started shaking, his big heart was breaking
He turned to the woman and said
“You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille
With four hungry children and a crop in the field
I’ve had some bad times, lived through some sad times
But this time your hurting won’t heal
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille”
After he left us, I ordered more whiskey
I thought how she’d made him look small
From the lights of the barroom
To a rented hotel room
We walked without talking at all
She was a beauty but when she came to me
She must have thought I’d lost my mind
I couldn’t hold her ’cause the words that he told her
Kept coming back time after time
“You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille
With four hungry children and a crop in the field
I’ve had some bad times, lived through some sad times
But this time your hurting won’t heal
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille
With four hungry children and a crop in the field
I’ve had some bad times, lived through some sad times
But this time your hurting won’t heal
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille
Over the years, “Lucille” has been covered by numerous artists, including Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless appeal and the enduring power of Rogers’ music. “Lucille” is a classic country song that has earned its place in the pantheon of great American music. Its simple but effective storytelling, catchy melody, and emotional resonance make it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences to this day.
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