1969 Song of the Day is “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town” by Kenny Rogers and The First Edition. If I knew this- I had forgotten it- the song was written by Mel Tillis about a paralyzed veteran of a what has to be assumed the Vietnam War- although it is never said in the song. The song was first done by the great Waylon Jennings in 1966 and then was a #9 country hit for Johnny Darrell in 1967. In 1969 Kenny Rogers wanted to take his group The First Edition more into a country sound and they recorded “Ruby” on one take with Rogers singing lead. It was released as a single and went to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 but only #39 on the country singles chart. Rogers and The First Edition would have a couple more hits before breaking up and then as we all know Rogers reinvented himself as a country singer-and went on to great success in the late 70’s-early 80’s. The video- Kenny Rogers before the gray hair and all the plastic surgeries. Never a fan but this isn’t a bad tune. Neither is Kenny Rogers and The First Editions biggest hit from 1968- Just Dropped In To See What My Condition My Condition Was In- which went to #5.
slicethelife 
Yes! Song of the Day! ❤ No idea Mel Tillis wrote it — he had a string of hits himself at one point — and that so many others covered it. KR is the only one I've heard do it.
I wonder why Mel never released it as a single? I checked -he didn’t.
Mel would have had the perfect presentation for this song also. It’s a mystery.
off topic- you are a Decemberists fan right? listening to them now… yes Mel would have done a great job on his own song..maybe he didn’t see its hit potential?
Yes I am a Decemberist fan. Have you heard Offa Rex yet? Maybe thats’s what it was with Mel…
No I haven’t heard Offa Rex.. good?
Yes, It’s them with Olivia Chaney.
Wow. That was a cool video seeing him playing the bass. And, when he re-invented himself, he must have started wearing contacts. He looked positively stoned, playing that bass and squinting thru those thick glasses.
You know you are right he didn’t look quite right did he? Interesting how he did reinvent himself- I remember in the late 70’s hearing about his earlier career and thinking Kenny Rogers did a song called Just Checked In To See What Condition My Condition Was In? No way…
That video showcases a completely different version of him. He was definitely skilled in that bass. His pop-country persona was another man.
The bass-playing Rogers looks more interesting. And, I want that girl’s white boots!
I remember sometime in the last 70’s an article basically accusing him of being a sell out when he ‘turned country’ with that new act of his. Obviously the earlier act had ran its course as far as commercial appeal.. I was never a fan of the country Kenny- but Ruby and the earlier hit were good.
He definitely went the ‘mushy music, sex appeal’ route. It made him rich. Then, he had surgery & sexy Kenny was GONE.
But, he is still rich. Money & fame means more to some than quality.
I think Kenny would have done anything for success- yes the money and fame are there but he has to regret those surgeries. He doesn’t quite look as bad as Burt did but–he’s in the discussion.
Yep. Aging gracefully is not part of the job description when it comes to fame. Youth obsessed culture…