Jamel, this song is a metaphor for how to live your life by relating it to poker. Life is a gamble and in those situations you need to know when to hold your ground, when to walk away, and when to run. It's all in how you play life's cards. After dealing with life's trials and troubles and your life / the game is over, if you played your cards right, the best you can hope for is to die peacefully in your sleep like the gambler did in the song. The gambler gave Kenny those last words of advice to help him through life cause he could see Kenny was down on his luck / "out of aces". Kenny says in the gambler's "final words I found an ace I could keep" - the good life advice. This is a master class in songwriting and storytelling.
Agreed. The aspect of gambling is only the vehicle to give the deeper lesson about going through life itself. "The Gambler" is a highly parodied, highly laugh-at song, and yet it's also deeply respected. There are many leaders out there who said it's one of their favorites. One in particular is Rudy Guiliani, legendary mayor of New Your City. You want a good example? Look at the catchy chorus itself. Let's apply it to serious dating. You know, actually looking for someone to love, who will love you, and you will share your life. You got to know what to hold them. (You can say that as both when to hold on to them, and when to hold them physically close when they're having heartbreak). ... know when to fold them. (Know when to concede in an argument, even if you are sure you are 'right.') ... know when to walk away. (Know when the relationship is over, even if it's breaking your heart. You still love them, they may still love you, but it is over. Walk away. MAYBE you can come back. Who knows? Walking away doesn't always mean walking away for good). ... know when to RUN. (Self explanatory. If I can be a little 'mean, one name. Amber Heard.) Now stop and mentally apply this to a lot of aspects of life. Another good, but quick example -- where you work. Know when to hold it -- know when to RUN. To me, my favorite part is the gambler "he broke even." It's bittersweet. Who knows what his life had been like. Good or bad, we don't know. He wasn't rich, obviously. He wouldn't have 'bummed off a cigarette.' He was at least a little down on his luck, too. But self-serving or not, he gave some very good advice, and more to the point he truly wished the other man well. "Learn from me. I may not have much time, but learn what I can tell you. Live a good life." And then he broke even. He left at least one lifelong good deed, and died peacefully. Thanks for the ace, "Gambler."
And all of that comes across so much more powerfully when sung by the guy who wrote it. I only heard him once and it was years ago...but that was the first time I realized the actual depth of the lyrics. I mean, I got the meaning and the ability of the writer from Kenny, but his version was too easy to let bounce off your ears. I got the genius from the writer.
The beauty of what Jamal is doing, He is giving us old folks who have heard these songs for years I know them totally. You are giving them a new life to them for us. Again great channel.
I saw him live 8 years ago when I was doing security at the concert. I was like “oh cool ok” by the end of the concert I can hands down say one of the best entertainers I have ever seen live and his pipes were still clean as a whistle. Rest easy Kenny 🙏
Yes! R.I.P Kenny. Only the people that can understand the meaning beyond the lines in this Gambling song can truly know the metaphor of life this really stands for!👍♥️
Jamel just mentioned something that fans of country music have known for decades. When someone can sing, he doesn't need all the half naked girls twerking in the background...he just sings! RIP, Kenny. We loved your music!
The thing is Kenny Rodgers was not only a great singer, but I would consider him one of the best storytellers ever. When you listen to his songs if you close your eyes you will see a movie in your head because he just paints that picture so well. It's almost impossible not to feel like you have seen a movie while just hearing him. RIP Kenny
"Every hand's a winner and every hand's a loser." It's not the cards you are dealt, but how you play them that matters. In the end, we all _break even._
mdiem So true bc guess what that’s all we can do. Some things in life we choose but somethings are handed to us. My parents died, one when I was 15, the other when I was 19, and I’ve been asked how did you manage to get ahead and my answer what choice did I have. You do what you have to.
“...And somewhere in the darkness, the gambler he broke even, but in his final words I found an ace that I could keep”. Absolute chills every time. One of the best songs ever written.
It's a one-man act, because he's now The Gambler, and he's talking to _you,_ giving you the same advice he was given....And like his teacher, he has now broken even. . Good night, Kenny. RIP
@@michaelsears9513 fun fact about "Islands In The Stream": When Kenny was originally recording the song, with Barry Gibb in the control booth Kenny was originally recording the song as a solo performance and Barry felt that something was missing and suggested bringing Dolly Parton in and recording the song as a duet
therealjaxon before that he was around since the 50s new Christy minstrels then the first edition before crossing over to country.. a fav song,,' just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in' loved that song when I was a kid :)
Go farther back to Kenny Roger's and The First Edition song "I Just Dropped In To See What Condition My Condition Was In". It's a Psychedelic Rock song.
Kenny had a way of writing a song where it sounded great while you listened Until you got to that amazing line (gambler breaking even, coward of the county locked the door). And when you heard it, and understood the wisdom in the words, you just knew that song would stick with you for life. That's how I grew up listening to Kenny Roger's, and why I'm so grateful for his work.
@Wikkitt Klown All of them were called the Gambler. Second was the Adventure Continues, third was The Legends Continues, Fourth was Luck of the Draw, and fifth was Playing for Keeps.
"Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In). Kenny doing psych with his band The First Edition. It was featured prominently in The Big Lebowski.
I always think of Kenny Rogers as more of a storyteller than a singer! He had an amazing voice, perfect delivery, and he could draw you in like no other!
He was my Mom's favorite singer, she used to love listening to his albums. Don't know why, but seeing you genuinely appreciate his artistry, brought a tear to my eye.
Hate to break it to this guy, but he's the only person I know that's incapable memorizing the lyrics to the chorus of this song. It's not complicated dude, and I believe he says it pretty clearly?
@@ckobo84 You got to understand, African Americans of his age group probably all heard the song but partially, at a distance or maybe in the background of movie scene or a over a mall loudspeaker or something like that.
That's one of the greatest country songs ever written by one of the greatest country singers there ever was. He's my favorite male country singer of all time.
the muppets did a version of this song on their show and it was absolutely amazing and wonderful -- is it out there -- if so you might enjoy it. thanks for the reaction to this smiles and love to you
The song is about life, my friend. It starts out from Kenny's perspective meeting the old gambler. Kenny isn't literally gambling but he has the look on his face as a man who lost all his money at the tables. It's the depression and loss that hits the Gambler. So the Gambler tells him, you got to treat life like you are Gambling. Because you are. Everything you do, it is a risk and you can win or lose based on what is in your hand, what is on the table, and what the other people playing around you have. You just got to know when to hold 'em, when to call the loss, and when to say you're done. Minimize the losses and when to maximize the winnings... Then the song moves on to Kenny is now the Gambler. And he isn't alone at the table, you are there with him. That's why he looks at the "Camera" he isn't looking at the camera, he is looking at you. He is seeing your pain, your losses, the troubles you've been through. And now an old gambler himself, he is telling you the same advice he got back on that train. Focus on these things, and you'll be better for it.
I thought that was obvious, guess not. Although I wouldn't even go so far as to bring gambling into this at all. That was already taking it a bit too literally. To me Kennys character was just down on his luck in life, it could have been gambling, but there is no reason why this could not encompass any and everything else life has to offer. So whatever hand you've been dealt, try to make the best of it, in everything.
That's exactly right, OP!! My uncle, whom I had never seen cry, in my whole life, used to absolutely BAWL when I put this record, on---did't weep, didn't sob, BAWLED!! Gotta know when to walk-away, know when to run!!
You are absolutely right, it's about the cards you're dealt in life and how u play the ups and downs your dealt with in your journey. We'll miss u Kenny Rodgers 💔♥️
That's crazy you said that. No lie, my fiance's favorite artist is Prince and he died on her b-day in 2016 . I've never seen a person look so absolutely confused and viciously refusing to believe it was true at the same time. That's wild.
@@charlesrobinson8514 ;Thats not a good memory to have. Get this, my best friends dad died on his birthday. That was the only time i ever gave my friend a hug. Thats all i could do.
Kenny guest starred on THE MUPPET SHOW, where he performed this with a life-sized human Muppet, voiced by Jerry (Count von Count) Nelson singing the gambler's advice lyrics.
I grew up with this stuff. Imagine growing up in Los Angeles and your parents blasting Kenny Rogers out of their '78 Pinto while everyone else is listening to the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac.
Henry Bemis, never had the Pinto, but yes...Kenny Rogers, Eddie Rabbitt, Anne Murray, Ronnie Milsap, Dolly Parton...that’s what my parents had blaring out of their Ford Thunderbird. Lol! Thankfully, they liked the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac, too! 😄
I was born in the '90s, but my mom grew up listening to him When I was a kid, she bought a kenny CD I loved it! Nowadays, i go on youtube and pandora to enjoy kenny R.I.P., kenny rogers!
“You’ve 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.”
Yes, please do Jerry Reed. Recognized but unknown "East Bound and Down" (Smokey & The Bandit theme). Most of his songs are fun stories guaranteed to make you smile. Suggestions - The Bird; When You're Hot, You're Hot; & Preacher and the Bear.
When we do kareoke at the bar I sing this and look my wife. She gets so pissed and I laugh. Especially the part about working 2 shifts and eating balonie.
He made country music cross the borders of the United States, a unique label in his style, "The Gambler" the country style anthem and so many other hits, like not forgetting his movies. thanks to you in my country and in the world country music was known, feel proud americans for having had this legend and great artist Without a doubt, the legend, the king of country music, thanks for you beatiful music. RIP Kenny Rogers. From Chile
That technique when he makes his voice sound rough is called "vocal fry". As a singer, it sometimes adds more interest or emotion to the song you are singing.
Back in the 80's, I took my nephew who was a HUGE Kenny Rogers fan, to a Kenny Rogers concert. I don't think I've ever seen anyone as excited or happy as he was that night. It was an amazing concert!!
Thank God he did. Reacted to it so did LostInVegas check them out. I have the movie on BluRay that's how hardcore I am. That movie n Convoy from late 70s early 80s...damn
You are right. No deep meaning to this song. A story. Something Kenny did best. In songs, movies, tv shows. In photography which showed in movies and shows he played in. I remember a tv special where he played a photographer who ignored his family. I can't remember the name of it and cannot find it anywhere. Everything he did was real to life
I was fortunate to see Kenny perform his Christmas concert at the Fox Theater here in Detroit, many times. The first bPart of the concert was his popular songs then intermission, then the Christmas songs came out! Well one of the last years that I had seen him I was ready for it! He performs the 12 days of Christmas and asked for volunteers to help sing with him! You bet your sweet ass I raised my hand and was chosen to sing, I was 3 French hens, he was so gracious and nice, yep I melted into a puddle right on that stage! Good, good times! ❤
Also some notable big songs to check out Lucille as in you picked a fine time to leave me Lucille Islands in the stream with Dolly Parton Don’t fall in love with a dreamer Kenny Rogers and Kim Carnes You decorated my life He does a cover of Bob Seger’s we’ve got tonight with Sheena Easton
"The Gambler" is a song written by Don Schlitz, recorded by several artists, most famously by American country music singer Kenny Rogers. Don Schlitz wrote this song in August, 1976 when he was 23 years old. It took two years of shopping the song around Nashville before Bobby Bare recorded it on his album "Bare" at the urging of Shel Silverstein. Bare's version did not catch on and was never released as a single, so Schlitz recorded it himself, but this version failed to chart higher than No. 65. However, other musicians took notice and recorded the song in 1978, including Johnny Cash, who put it on his album Gone Girl. However, it was Kenny Rogers who made the song a mainstream success. His version was a No. 1 Country hit and made its way to the Pop charts at a time when Country songs rarely crossed over. 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.[1] In 2006 Don Schlitz appeared in the Kenny Rogers career retrospective documentary "The Journey", where he praised both Rogers' and producer Larry Butler's contributions to the song, stating "they added several ideas that were not mine, including the new guitar intro"
These are the songs i grew up on. All around people listening to gangster rap. Those people are doing okay but im doing great. This music instills values in the listener.
So true Jamel. They would ruin this if a remake was made, they feel all the bs makes up for their lack of originality my friend. Thanks for the reaction. Rest in peace Kenny...
I grew up listening to Kenny Rogers and I love that you picked one of my favourite songs of his to do, also I subscribed because of your reaction to his song
Jamel, the chorus goes: You've got to know when to hold'em Lnow when to fold'em Know when to walk away Know when to run You never count your money When you're sitting at the table There'll be time enough for counting When the dealings done
This was made into a movie set back in the 1800s where there were no fancy casinos like today. There were also many others that followed: The Gambler: the Adventure Continues. There were five made-for-television movies that ran from 1980 and 1994. His character was Brady Hawkes and Kenny developed this character as time went on.
Please do “Just dropped in (to see what condition my condition is in)”.... and if you can.... it would be awesome if you did the Big Lebowski video on it!!!!!!!
Yeah! No distractions! It comes across as having wisdom rather than arrogance. He certainly set the mood right. Today, artists would've ruined the mood.
Kenny was an amazing "storyteller" every song had a meaningful back story to it.....RIP KENNY....thank you for the catalogue of Great music....which will forever be your legacy 👍👍👍
