“The Gambler” is Kenny Rogers’ signature hit, released in 1978, which became a crossover country and pop success and won the 1980 Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. The song was written by Don Schlitz in 1976, who was working as a computer operator at the time; he later revealed the lyrics were inspired by advice from his father, who had recently died.
The track had a difficult path to success, being recorded by Bobby Bare and Johnny Cash before Rogers’ version. Cash recorded it for his Gone Girl album but was reportedly under the influence of drugs and disliked the song, while Rogers’ producer, Larry Butler, ultimately chose Rogers’ take for single release. Rogers’ rendition, released in November 1978, topped the country charts and crossed over to the pop charts, establishing Rogers as an international star.
- Songwriter: Don Schlitz wrote the song in 1976 while walking home from a meeting with mentor Bob McDill.
- Previous Versions: Bobby Bare first recorded it in 1978, followed by Johnny Cash and Schlitz himself, but none achieved major chart success.
- Cultural Impact: The song’s theme of life as a gamble led to a series of TV movies starring Rogers and was added to the National Recording Registry in 2018.
- Near Miss: Willie Nelson originally passed on the song, stating he didn’t want to add another long song to his repertoire alongside Red Headed Stranger.
[Verse 1]
On a warm summer’s evenin’ on a train bound for nowhere
I met up with a gambler, we were both too tired to sleep
So we took turns a-starin’ out the window at the darkness
‘Til boredom overtook us and he began to speak
[Verse 2]
He said, “Son, I’ve made a life out of readin’ people’s faces
And knowin’ what their cards were by the way they held their eyes
So if you don’t mind my sayin’, I can see you’re out of aces
For a taste of your whiskey I’ll give you some advice”
[Verse 3]
So I handed him my bottle and he drank down my last swallow
Then he bummed a cigarette and asked me for a light
And the night got deathly quiet and his face lost all expression
Said, “If you’re gonna play the game, boy, you gotta learn to play it right”
[Chorus]
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 dealing’s done
[Verse 4]
Every gambler knows that the secret to survivin’
Is knowin’ what to throw away and knowing what to keep
‘Cause every hand’s a winner and every hand’s a loser
And the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep
[Verse 5]
And when he finished speakin’, he turned back toward the window
Crushed out his cigarette and faded off to sleep
And somewhere in the darkness, the gambler, he broke even
But in his final words, I found an ace that I could keep
[Chorus]
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 dealing’s done
[Outro]
You got to know when to hold ’em (When to hold ’em)
Know when to fold ’em (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 dealing’s done
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 dealing’s done
