The Gambler (song)
Encyclopedia
"The Gambler" is the title of a song written by Don Schlitz
and recorded by American country music
artist Kenny Rogers
. It was released in November 1978 as the title track from his album The Gambler
which won him the Grammy award for best male country vocal performance in 1980. Bobby Bare
had recorded the song earlier that same year in his album BARE CBS KC35314 (1978). The song was written by Schlitz who had recorded it previously, and had charted at #65 on the country charts with it. It was one of five consecutive songs by Rogers to hit #1 on the Billboard country music charts. On the pop chart
, the song made #16 in early 1979. Johnny Cash also performed this song.
Rogers has. After the gambler takes the drink (and a cigarette
), he gives the following advice:
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", and that the narrator finds "an ace that I could keep", in his final words. Rogers' rendition in an appearance on TV's Muppet Show indicates the Gambler actually dies in his sleep when he "broke even".
, in which he stars as a fictional professional poker player called Brady Hawkes. It was used in Episode 2 of BBC
series Blackpool
and in Episode 4 of the sixth season of the series Supernatural
. It is also a favored song (and frequently sung by) Hank Hill of the animated series King of the Hill. Alvin and the Chipmunks
covered this song with minor lyric changes for their 1981 album Urban Chipmunk
. It also featured in Episode 23 of the third season of The Office.
In the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Program, it serves as the official anthem of the Gunnery Trade and is sung during moments of great happiness and during chaining ceremonies.
Don Schlitz
Donald Alan "Don" Schlitz, Jr. is a country music songwriter. For his songwriting efforts, Schlitz has earned two Grammys, as well as four ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year awards...
and recorded by American country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers
Kenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers is an American singer-songwriter, photographer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur...
. It was released in November 1978 as the title track from his album The Gambler
The Gambler (album)
The Gambler is the sixth studio album by Kenny Rogers', released by United Artists in 1978. One of his most popular, it has established Rogers' status as one of the most successful artists of the 1970s and 1980s...
which won him the Grammy award for best male country vocal performance in 1980. Bobby Bare
Bobby Bare
Robert Joseph Bare is an American country music singer and songwriter. He is the father of Bobby Bare, Jr., also a musician.-Early career:...
had recorded the song earlier that same year in his album BARE CBS KC35314 (1978). The song was written by Schlitz who had recorded it previously, and had charted at #65 on the country charts with it. It was one of five consecutive songs by Rogers to hit #1 on the Billboard country music charts. On the pop chart
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, the song made #16 in early 1979. Johnny Cash also performed this song.
Content
The song itself tells the story of a late-night meeting on a train "bound for nowhere" 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 whiskyWhisky
Whisky or whiskey is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Different grains are used for different varieties, including barley, malted barley, rye, malted rye, wheat, and corn...
Rogers has. After the gambler takes the drink (and a cigarette
Cigarette
A cigarette is a small roll of finely cut tobacco leaves wrapped in a cylinder of thin paper for smoking. The cigarette is ignited at one end and allowed to smoulder; its smoke is inhaled from the other end, which is held in or to the mouth and in some cases a cigarette holder may be used as well...
), he gives the following advice:
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", and that the narrator finds "an ace that I could keep", in his final words. Rogers' rendition in an appearance on TV's Muppet Show indicates the Gambler actually dies in his sleep when he "broke even".
Chart performance
| Chart (1979) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 16 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks | 3 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 2 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 8 |
| Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks | 6 |
| UK Singles Chart | 22 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 29 |
In popular culture
It is the theme song used for Rogers' long running TV movie serial of the same nameThe Gambler (TV movie series)
The Gambler is a series of American TV movies starring Kenny Rogers as Brady Hawkes, a fictional old-west gambler. The character was inspired by Rogers' hit song The Gambler. There are five movies in the series. The first four are directed by Dick Lowry while the last was directed by Jack Bender...
, in which he stars as a fictional professional poker player called Brady Hawkes. It was used in Episode 2 of BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
series Blackpool
Blackpool (TV serial)
Blackpool is a British television musical comedy drama serial, produced in-house by the BBC. It was screened on BBC One as six one-hour episodes on Thursday nights at 9pm from 11 November to 16 December 2004...
and in Episode 4 of the sixth season of the series Supernatural
Supernatural (TV series)
Supernatural is an American supernatural and horror television series created by Eric Kripke, which debuted on September 13, 2005 on The WB, and is now part of The CW's lineup. Starring Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester and Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester, the series follows the brothers as they...
. It is also a favored song (and frequently sung by) Hank Hill of the animated series King of the Hill. Alvin and the Chipmunks
Alvin and the Chipmunks
Alvin and the Chipmunks is an American animated music group created by Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. in 1958. The group consists of three singing animated anthropomorphic chipmunks: Alvin, the mischievous troublemaker, who quickly became the star of the group; Simon, the tall, bespectacled intellectual;...
covered this song with minor lyric changes for their 1981 album Urban Chipmunk
Urban Chipmunk
Urban Chipmunk was the first country album by Alvin and the Chipmunks, released on February 4, 1981. The title parodies the 1980 movie Urban Cowboy.-Side one:#"Thank God I'm a Country Boy" – 1:43...
. It also featured in Episode 23 of the third season of The Office.
In the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Program, it serves as the official anthem of the Gunnery Trade and is sung during moments of great happiness and during chaining ceremonies.