It's like a slap on the head when you realize this song has absolutely nothing to do with a card game and everything to do with a life lesson

Nah, you hit it on the head. It's not just a "card playing" advice. It's life advice. RIP Kenny.

Rip Kenny Roger's. He made several movies based on this song.He is a legend

"Know when to hold em, know when to fold them" applies to both cards and life. You got it right! Another great story telling song from him is "Coward of the County". Also, a great story telling is Tim McGraws "Dont Take the Girl".

"The secret to surviving is knowing what to throw away and knowing what to keep. 'Cause every hand's a winner and every hand's a loser." That's nothing to do with cards right there.

Coward of the county is a great song from kenny! The storytelling in the song is incredible

Lady. One of the greatest love songs ever recorded.

"Reuben James" was my absolutely favorite Kenny Rogers song in the 70s. You NEED to do Reuben James.

You understood it exactly right! it is a lesson about life through the metaphor of a poker game.

My favorites from Kenny's early days are "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town" and "Reuben James".

His live version of “Lady” is a classic! 👌

You know that when you write a lyric that becomes a quote not even associated with your song, you’re a legend.

You nailed the interpretation of this. So many song suggestions by people and I agree with them all. Another great one is “Lucille”, very understated singing on it but good story again.

Kenny Rogers was an amazing artist, and like many artists of the time, didn’t stick strictly to a single genre. “Coward of the County” is another good storytelling song. Be warned though that it doesn’t pull punches. For his more Popish side “She Believes in Me” is a feel good love song; and, Country or not, “Lady” is an absolute MUST listen. In honor of upcoming Halloween I have to at least mention “Planet Texas”. Enjoy! 😁

It totally makes sense that it contains life lessons in addition to the song. I have always felt that way since the first time I heard the song all those years ago.

Kenny’s got a whole rabbit hole you could deep dive into and love every minute. I think my two favorite story songs by him are Coward of the County and The Greatest. His Love Songs? Too many to count, but probably She Believes In Me and Buy Me A Rose. And then there are his duets…. I especially love his last one with Dolly, You Can’t Make New Old Friends. Oh, and he did a song with Home Free, too, called Children Go Where I Send Thee and it’s out of this world!

So many great songs from this story teller. Definitely a legend! Coward of the County is one of my all time favorites from him. R.I.P Mr. Rogers 🙏🙏

Grew up on Kenny Rogers. Older country music is almost always a life lesson

You're right, it's a life lesson using gambling as an analogy.

Coward of the County is another Kenny Rogers song you need to hear.

I remember when he was with The First Edition before he went solo. His voice was so iconic that it earned him a spot on the “We Are The World” song and video (you need to check that out if you haven’t already). He has had too many hits to mention here but my personal favorite is “Lady” (written and sung by Lionel Richie). However don’t overlook “She Believes in Me”, “Coward of the County” or “We’ve Got Tonight” and that’s just a sampling. Such an amazing voice. No one else like him

Most people don't realize that when he says, "And somewhere in the darkness The gambler he broke even" ... he's basically saying he died in his sleep which was what he said was one of the best things he could hope for.

Kenny has always been one of my favorites. The song Lady is probably my absolute favorite. 💕

“Love Will Turn You Around” and “Coward of the County” are two more great Kenny Rogers songs.

"Kenny Rogers & The First Editions - Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town" this was back in the 70's when He had just hit the Billboard's. And what I mean by that is... In those days billboards was used to rate how popular the song was, and Also, how fast and how long it stayed that way. (you probably already knew that, hehe) And you will see his original hair color... lol

Love the grit in his voice! He had quite a range as well.

In every generation of music there are a handful of heavyweight song's. This is one of country's. Coward of the county is another good song of his

Home Free covered this and it's great too. Kenny sang Children Go Where I Send Thee with Home Free not long before he passed away. And if you watch all the way to the end of the video after the song Kenny tells how he came to sing with Home Free 😁

You need to hear him sing "Lady" live. So good. Plus his live duets with Dolly Parton, like "Islands in the Stream."

When I was a kid I hated country music. Then when I was 20 there started to be amazing songs and singers. I will be 75 In a December and still love classic country from the 60’s, 70’s a 80’s.

Kenny was a true story teller. This is in the true spirit of country music. ❤️🌹

This is one of the few country songs that I loved before Home Free! I love their version also! I’ve always thought that was about life itself! Thanks for the great reaction!

A true legend. Every song is great.

He's just the best singer..# so glad I was able to see him in concert!

G.O.A.T. GREATEST OF ALL TIME

Yes -- love Kenny Rogers. Great storyteller.

SAM STONE - JOHN PRINE DOOOO IT "Know when to run" is the most important line in this song.

Classic!!! I know you love Home Free.... They did a collab with Kenny prior to his death, "go children where I send thee". Then, after his passing, Home Free actually covered this. And it is incredible, of course. Love this! ❤

You should watch the movie that goes along with this song. Kenny was a legend.

“You took a fine time to leave me Lucille” is a good one.

RIP Kenny

He is amazing. I love Kenny 💖

This is one of the "VERY FEW" country songs that I can tolerate. this one "Jolene" By Dolly Parton and "God Bless The U.S.A" By Lee Greenwood.

The Ballad of Jed Clampett.....by Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, classic bluegrass, the theme to the TV show "The Beverly Hillbillies"

A voice to die for!!

Written by Don Schlitz. My absolute favorite since the first time I heard it.

OMG, has everyone forgotten about Lady? This song was written by Lionel Richey for Kenny, but they both recorded it.

You hit the nail on the head, the whole song is a metaphor for life. If you want to see the tender side of Kenny that showcases his spectacular voice check out his most popular love song called "Lady" kzfaq.info/get/bejne/kL-Cmbigt5-1ZI0.html. If you would like another song about a powerful life lesson check out "Coward of the County" kzfaq.info/get/bejne/eMiJnZalr7i3f2w.html. But honestly you can't go wrong with any Kenny Rogers song and there are so many to choose from. And I have been really enjoying your journey through Country Music. You have done some truly great songs so as long as you keep watching them, I'll keep watching you.

And somewhere in the darkness, the Gambler he broken even

Emmy has such a growl in his voice ! Love it

Fantastic reaction! I think one of his best storytelling song songs is “The greatest”. Check it out!!

Classic tune.

Great reaction, like the story to this song. Ya gotta react to his song " COWARD OF THE COUNTY" great story as well. They made movies based on the gambler, and coward of the county. Believe they were made for tv movies. Anyway great reaction 👍👍

You are in for quite a musical journey. In terms of Kenny Rogers songs…you will definitely need “Coward of the County” as others have suggested! Cheers!

You should listen to the video of Kenny singing Lady. Also, Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town. R.I.P

yeah classic country loved telling stories.

Another great legend is Willie Nelson … great 👍

Have to check out Kenny Rogers song Lady.

This whole song is basically the old gambler passing on life lessons to the young kid he met on the train cus he could see by the kids face he was struggling with something. They weren’t actually playing cards or gambling. He was using gambling metaphors to pass on the life lessons

Lady by him is a great song

Yeah! I luuuuuv Kenny! He is a legend. Please react to more of him. Lucille, Coward of the County, Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer (duet with Shena Easton), Islands in the Stream (Duet with Dolly Parton) and many more...

in the 80's this is the song that made me get off ac/dc and onto country.

I'd sggest 'Blaze of Glory,' which is my personal favorite Kenny Rogers song, or Kenny's version of 'Me and Bobby McGee.'

Love your reaction to hearing Kenny's voice.

cant beat uncel Kenny what a voice and him and miss dolly what a duo, plus he gave Mr L Richie his break with the song Lady

You got it. The game is a metaphor for life. When the guy met the gambler he was low on life and about to give up (the gambler noticed he was out of aces). The gambler gave him a different way to look at his situation (his cards). Every hand is a winner or loser depending on what you do. That advice was the ace he could keep.

They actually made a couple movies about this song. Written by Don Schlitz who went into the country music hall of fame this year

Miss Mr Kenny Rogers. I was blessed to see him live when I was 14 years old (long time ago). He was awesome!!! RIP May I suggest one of his later songs “The Last Ten Years”. I think you’ll enjoy it too.

What James Brown is to Soul, Kenny Rogers is to Country.

Kenny was another great country artist that could tell a damn good story! Great reaction!🤠🤠🤠

Try Kenny Chesney there goes my life you'll love it.

This Song got 5 movies made because of it.

There's a lot of life lessons in this song if you just look for them

Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em - pick your battles Every hand's a winner, every hand's a loser - a situation can be turned to good or bad, depending on you Never count your money when you're sitting at the table - don't assume success until you've succeeded

It's definitely a life lessons song. You should check out Coward of the County by Kenny. Pretty intense story song.

😳😳 Coward of the County 😳😳

Love Kenny Rogers love this song thanks for this Reaction 🙏🏻🙏🏻

One of my favorite country singers! He was the Gambler. Thank you for this journey. Ironic really - took a Brit to have the courage to react to American Country Music. Bravo! One small request. Please try to squeeze in "King of Oak Street" by Kenny. Thank you!

i see this song more or less as a metaphor for how you live your life, knowing which friends to trust en also knowing when to give up on someone

Nice reaction! Listen to him singing “ coward of the ;County”; Lsla D’Souza in the Stream”!!”

Definitely life lessons!

If you want an entirely different side of Kenny, find the video of him & Lionel Richie, singing 'Lady' together in 2012 at an awards show. Lionel wrote it in 1980 for Kenny & they both recorded it & all versions are beautiful. That being said, the video of them together showing off their voices as well as their amazing life long friendship is just beautiful to see. You will not be sorry.

It's been a favorite of mine since it's release.

Islands In the Stream - Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton duet. You will love it!

Kenny has always been my favorite. I cried when he passed. My heart is still broken but I love that you did this one. They also made 5 movies for the gambler you may want to watch They are pretty good and Kenny stars in them. You definitely need to do coward of the county

2 of my favorite non music videos are this is rolling thunder and for the saluting marine

Definitely need to do Kenny Rogers...The Coward of the County!!!! R.I.P Kenny!!

like JG once sang "the cards aint worth a dime, if you dont lay'em down" so many songs about poker are just metaphors for life, this one is probably the ultimate.

I read that Johnny Cash first recorded this song to little acclaim. I think it's here on KZfaq. There's magic in Kenny's voice that Cash did not have.

Gotta listen to his song : Lady

Long before he went solo, Kenny Rogers and his band First Edition released a song titled Ruby (Don’t take your love to town). It’s definitely a story in itself and I believe you ‘d like it. Please check it out!

His first band was kenny Rogers and the First Edition Ruby Dont Take Your Love to Town is a classic Kenny story song he paints musical pictures

I love this one❤👍🙏

It’s all about life.

I love this Song plus seeing old pictures of my dad he looked Just like him I kid you not

Kenny has a cross over song called "Lady" the women love that song, it was written by Lionel Richie.

Classic!!!! Loved this song from a lil girl ☺️

My Grandpa was a Gambler in Texas in His youth and learned about life the hard way . These are the lessons and knowledge He left & passed on . Thank You Grand Dad.

My uncle looks just like Kenny R. Love KR.

There are a couple of movies called "The Gambler" that Kenny Rogers starred in as well. :)