Kenny Rogers is one of my favorite singer from all time. I usually listen to his songs during afternoons around 2:00pm especially when I need to concentrate while doing a programming jobs. It's easier for me to work if I could listen to some subtle music. I find his songs simple yet full of meanings and all of it relates to one's life, one's family and one's love. His success is worldwide. His music genre is country pop that's why the rythm of his songs were all roots from counrypolitan sound and in soft rock. Almost all of his songs somewhat narrates a story of a certain characters. Like his song "Lucille", it tells the story of an unfaithful wife and mother.The song "The Gambler" is a unique one which I also love. It tells the story of a late-night meeting on a train between Rogers as the narrator and an unnamed old man who is the gambler. The gambler tells Rogers that he can tell Rogers is down on his luck that is "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:
Some part of the song
“ 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.
I made some research about this song and it said
"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."
Another songs of his which I also like were "She Believes In Me, You Decorated My Life, Through The Years, Lady , Island In The Stream (a duet with Dolly Parton), and a lot more.
I'm posting some of his songs here.
01 She Believes In Me 02 You Decorated My Life03 Through The Years04 Lucille05 Gambler06 Lady
