The Kenny Rogers The Gambler song was a No. 1 country hit and even crossed over to the pop charts— a rare feat at that time. The single was released on October 9, 1978 as the title track from his album The Gambler, which scored him the Grammy Award for ‘Best Male Country Vocal Performance’ in 1980. The song became Kenny Rogers’s signature song and his most enduring hit. It was one of five consecutive songs by Rogers to hit No. 1 on the Billboard country music charts starting December 16, 1978. Kenny recorded this classic tune on June 16, 1978 at the Jack Clement studio in Nashville, TN.
This music video became the most popular of Kenny’s career with over 255 million views as of January of 2024. Watch the music video and see the lyrics and song details below.
Kenny Rogers The Gambler Music Video
“The Gambler” is a classic example of the storytelling tradition in country music, with vivid imagery and a strong sense of character development. The gambler is portrayed as a complex figure, at once a charismatic and charming presence, but also someone who has experienced the highs and lows of life’s many gambles. Kenny Rogers’ smooth vocals and the song’s catchy melody have made “The Gambler” a staple of radio playlists for decades. The song has been covered by countless artists in a variety of genres, cementing its status as a true classic of American music. But “The Gambler” is more than just a catchy tune with a memorable chorus. Its message of taking calculated risks and making wise choices has resonated with audiences of all ages, inspiring countless people to reflect on their own journeys and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
“The Gambler” was written by Don Schlitz in 1976 and recorded by several artists, including Johnny Cash, but the tune was made a hit by country music icon Kenny Rogers.
Kenny Rogers The Gambler Lyrics
On a warm summer’s eve
On a train bound for nowhere
I met up with the gambler
We were both too tired to sleep
So we took turns a-starin’
Out the window at the darkness
The boredom overtook us,
And he began to speak
He said, “Son, I’ve made a life
Out of readin’ people’s faces
Knowin’ what the cards were
By the way they held their eyes
So if you don’t mind me sayin’
I can see you’re out of aces
For a taste of your whiskey
I’ll give you some advice”
So I handed him my bottle
And he drank down my last swallow
Then he bummed a cigarette
And asked me for a light
And the night got deathly quiet
And his faced lost all expression
He said, “If you’re gonna play the game, boy
You gotta learn to play it right
You’ve got to know when to hold ’em
Know when to fold ’em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you’re sittin’ at the table
There’ll be time enough for countin’
When the dealin’s done
Every gambler knows
That the secret to survivin’
Is knowin’ what to throw away
And knowin’ what to keep
‘Cause every hand’s a winner
And every hand’s a loser
And the best that you can hope for is to die
in your sleep
And when he finished speakin’
He turned back toward the window
Crushed out his cigarette
And faded off to sleep
And somewhere in the darkness
The gambler he broke even
But in his final words
I found an ace that I could keep
You’ve got to know when to hold ’em
Know when to fold ’em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you’re sittin’ at the table
There’ll be time enough for countin’
When the dealin’s done
You’ve got to know when to hold ’em (when to hold ’em)
Know when to fold ’em (when to fold ’em)
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you’re sittin’ at the table
There’ll be time enough for countin’
When the dealin’s done
You’ve got to know when to hold ’em
Know when to fold ’em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you’re sittin’ at the table
There’ll be time enough for countin’
When the dealin’s done
It is interesting to note that many younger folks discovered this song via the GEICO commercial featuring Kenny sing parts of his song in a spoof commercial.
In conclusion, Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler” is an enduring classic that continues to capture the hearts of music lovers across generations. With its timeless message of wisdom and its evocative storytelling, it stands as a testament to the power of country music to touch our hearts and souls. Share this Kenny Rogers The Gambler song with other classic country music fans!
