The Gambler (song)

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“The Gambler”
Single by Kenny Rogers
from the album The Gambler
Released November 15, 1978
Format Vinyl
Genre Country
Length 3:32
Label United Artists
Writer(s) Don Schlitz
Producer Larry Butler

"The Gambler" is the title track to Kenny Rogers' 1978 album. The song was written by Don Schlitz (who had recorded it previously) and was one of five consecutive songs by Rogers to hit #1 on the Billboard country music charts at the time. On the pop chart, the song made #16 in early 1979. It is also the theme song used for Rogers long running movie and TV serial of the same name, in which he stars as a fictional professional poker player called Brady Hawkes.

Contents

[edit] Story

The song itself tells the story of a late-night meeting on a train between Rogers (as narrator) and an unnamed old man who is the gambler. The gambler tells Rogers that he can tell Rogers is down on his luck ("out of aces") by the look in his eyes and offers him advice in exchange for the last swallow of whiskey Rogers has. After the gambler takes the drink (and a cigarette), he gives the following advice:

“ You 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.

 ”

The gambler then mentions that the "secret to survivin' is knowing what to throw away and knowing what to keep" and that the best you can hope for is to "die in your sleep". At this point, the gambler puts out the cigarette and goes to sleep.

At the end of the song we are told that "somewhere in the darkness the gambler he broke even" (dies), and that the narrator finds "an ace that I could keep" in his final words.

[edit] Analysis

The song is often characterized as a metaphor for life in that you need to know when to stand your ground (when to hold 'em) and when to retreat (when to fold 'em). The gambler has learned that the trick to life isn't the cards you've been dealt, but how to play them (every hand being a "winner" or a "loser" depending on how they are played). The "ace" that Rogers refers to in the end is this advice.

[edit] Performances

When Rogers appeared on The Muppet Show (episode 410, available on volume 11 of The Best of The Muppet Show home video series), "The Gambler" was brought to life, with Rogers performing in a mock-up of a passenger train interior, alongside a semi-realistic Muppet of an elderly man in the role of the Gambler. In this performance, the Gambler Muppet sang the first chorus, depicting the Gambler dispensing his advice to Rogers. In the finale, the Gambler reappeared as a ghost to join Rogers for the final sing along.

The song was also performed on the TV sitcom, Perfect Strangers.

This song was also covered by Corb Lund and the Hurtin' Albertans. It does not appear on any of their albums but is played live from time to time. The song is also covered by Wyclef Jean, although with revised chorus, the song features Kenny Rogers himself. Also The Rock sang a rendition on RAW in November 2001 in response to Stone Cold Steve Austin's rendition of "Delta Dawn".

[edit] In popular culture

  • This song is referenced in an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Carlton sings a portion of the chorus up to "know when to walk away," and Will chimes in, "Don't know when to shut up."
  • The song is referenced in the U.S. version of The Office. While the characters of the show are on a bus traveling to the beach, Kevin and Michael lead the office in a sing-a-long version of the song.
  • On an episode of Seinfeld (The Chicken Roaster), The Gambler is referenced. After Kramer says, "Rogers can't sell chicken around here. We got chicken places on every block", Jerry says, "He is The Gambler".
  • In "George's House of Cards" from The George Lopez Show, George has a poker night with Ernie, Benny, and Vic. When Ernie decides to fold when he doesn't even have cards, he states, "a wise gambler once gave me some advice. He said..." to which George replies "Ernie, you sing that Kenny Rogers song one more time, I will punch you in your eye." Ernie then replies, "Ok. I'm sorry. You just gotta know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em."
  • The song was adopted by the England squad at the 2007 Rugby World Cup as their unofficial anthem after prop Matt Stevens started impromptu renditions of the song on his guitar; the lyrics were particularly relevant after their against-the-odds quarter-final victory over rivals Australia. Before their next game, the semi-finals against France, Kenny Rogers filmed a short message of support for the England team, delighted they had chosen the song as their inspiration. This caused the song to hit #22 in the UK pop charts later in the year, outdoing its first release there and its 1980s re-issue (which charted in the lower half of the Top 100).
  • A popular casino slot machine, endorsed by Kenny Rogers, has The Gambler as its theme.


Preceded by
"On My Knees"
by Charlie Rich and Janie Fricke		 Billboard Hot Country Singles number one single
December 16-December 30, 1978
by Kenny Rogers		 Succeeded by
"Tulsa Time"
by Don Williams