Songs I like by Artists I Don’t- “The Gambler”- Kenny Rogers. A number of the artists I’ve singled out on this feature- I can’t say I really dislike- as much as I am indifferent about. Do I dislike Bryan Adams? But Kenny Rogers- I can’t think of anyone from the late 70’s that I detested as much as I did him. You couldn’t listen to pop radio during that period of time without hearing hi growling out some song. He was an unlikely star at that point-he had some success a decade earlier with Kenny Rogers and The First Edition with “Just Dropped In To See What Condition My Condition Was In- a song written by Mickey Newbury about an LSD experience- in 1968 it went to #5 on the Hot 100. Rogers in the mid-70’s after years without much success went to a more middle of the road- country sound- grew a beard- I swear no beard and we never hear of this bum. He was approaching 40 when he finally hit it big- hit after hit on the country and pop charts- I hated every one of them- but one- The Gambler. Written by songwriter Don Schlitz- when he was twenty-three. After a few years of shopping the song around finally Bobby Bare covered it. Johnny Cash covered it but it wasn’t until Kenny Rogers released it in late 1978 did it become a hit- it went to #1 on the country chart and on the Hot 100 #16. It became his signature song- and I had to admit I liked a Kenny Rogers song. Last year I even bought The Gambler album -used for $1 just for that song.
slicethelife 
Kind of like Johnny Cash’s version better
It’s even better on The Muppet Show!
I remember that one!
The magical beard…lol you are probably right
You’re right – Kenny Rogers does growl when he sings.
I was more of a Don Williams fan myself, but Kenny sung some good songs.
A thumbs up -on Don Williams.
Glad to see there are a few of us still around. My old man was a huge fan of Don. I still listen to him regularly. He’s the ants pants.
If that’s his good song, I don’t want to hear his bad ones….
Never heard Johnny’s version until today. Surprised it didn’t hit for him. I do like The Gambler and remember what a big hit it was in its day. Not really a KR fan, but my favorite song by him is, “Ruby,” one of the best songs about the aftermath of war out there.
*facepalm* The most overplayed Rogers song that exists. At least Coward of the County was worse.
His tunes are catchy. I liked Ruby. The rest is like beige rock…beige country. He’s a white, country version of Lionel Richie. 😴
Lionel at least wrote his own songs.
Funny you should mention that…Lionel did some production & songwriting for him. Rogers wrote *some* songs, co-wrote others & did production, also. One album, Kim Carnes wrote all the songs with a partner.
Didn’t know Rogers wrote anything. Yes I remember Lionel writing a hit or two for him.
Dig around, if you are inclined:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenny_Rogers_discography