I love it when everyone agrees with the father's advice until the end. In country music, there is always a twist in every story telling song. Loved it.

I love that this song shows that the two ideas of "you don't have to fight TO BE a man" and "sometimes you have to fight when you ARE a man" are not mutually exclusive. I think the best response to this I ever heard was "he always turned the other cheek until it wasn't his cheek to turn"

Tommy did NOT realize he had to fight sometimes to be a man. Tommy knows he must fight this time because he IS a man. The distinction is subtle, but important.

His father did say, “Walk away from trouble IF you can.” They crossed a line. Great reaction!

This song STILL brings me to tears...all these years later 😓

There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man

7:16 basically "i'm not locked in here with you you're locked in here with me"

Never underestimate anyone at any time. There are reasons why people are the way they are. Some look at being kind and respectful as a weakness. Tommy forgave him being ridiculed and tripped up all his life. When it came to someone else's, he unfurled his wings 🪶 and grabbed his sword 😇.

Everybody has their limits. Even the most peaceful person on the planet can shock the world when they’re pushed too far. Don’t mess with someone’s spouse or their kids. Love this song. Great reaction.

When Tommy locked the door. No one's getting in... and you aren't getting out

Love, love, love your reaction. Great song. I'm a 72 year old English grandma and I remember it and love it from my teens.

ITS EASIER TO turn the cheek when trouble comes at you, its a differant story when it comes at somebody you love

YOU TWO ARE THE MOST SENSITIVE PEOPLE , YOU REACT EXACTLY LIKE A LOVING PERSON WOULD FOR A BAD SITUATION. LOVE YOUR REACTIONS.

The fact that Tommys entire life --everyone called him a coward simply because he was honoring his fathers wishes to not always act out-- and "turn the other cheek"- you never really know what someone has been through- and everyone has a breaking point -- the silent ones are always the ones to watch for

this song proves that no person is 100% passive you can push someone so far but when you cross that line its on and thats usually a dangerous person at that point

Kenny can tell a story and sing a song like nobody else, was a great friend 🙏, some of my mot favorite times was nights with Kenny Rogers and Lionel Richie, both true gentleman, people think womanizers but totally different, Lionel just loved a good time, Kenny was life of party. God can't believe the days, I WAS BLESSED🙏

I cried This song always makes me cry manly tears 😭

This is why people love country music.. old country almost always tells a story.

story tellin at it's finest

The late, great Kenny Rogers...the greatest singing story teller of all times...PERIOD..!!

Everyone has a line you don't cross, and the final line is almost always family/friends. Fighting doesn't have to be fists or weapons, but if you're a true man/woman, you have to put a stop to the B.S.

They made an entire movie around this song! Its call The Coward of the county and Kenny Rodgers plays the uncle.

Amazing song so heartbreaking and powerful

You don't have to fight to be a man, but sometimes you have to fight when you're a man. It's a great message we are missing in our society. One I am trying to teach my sons. I also note that the song is ambiguous as to the Gatlin boys' fate. Not one of them was standing could mean a few things. Did any of them get back up? Cause had it been me....they might not have. How much rage did Tommy have? It's left to the imagination. Great song, great reaction!

"PICK YOUR BATTLES." Not every circumstance requires a fight; better to walk away. When a major line is crossed and no other option left but to fight, then fine.

1. Do : Ruben James and 2. Ruby don’t take your love to town 3. Love will turn you around by Kenny Rogers. Love me some Kenny Rogers.🩵🩵🩵

It always makes me feel tommy's pain when I hear this. They even made a film based on this song with kenny rogers.

Great song by Kenny.

I’ve heard this fantastic storytelling song thousands of times over the years- anyone else , when you very first heard it the first time, think he was reaching above that fireplace for a rifle..and not Daddy’s picture?..

My dad taught me the same thing. And, I had a similar situation, where a lot of people thought I was the weak one, UNTIL, they finally stepped over that line, and I unleashed Hell on those "Gamblin Brother's" of my own. AND yes, you could hear the pin drop with my situation, as well. Kenny Rogers is a true legend, in the country music industry, like Dolly Parton is, as well...

Awesome reaction, guys! Haven't seen anyone react and summarize it so well. I love the subtle word play where it goes from "fighting TO BE a man" to "fighting WHEN you're a man".

It makes me cry because he wasn't the coward. He was the strong one for not doing stupid things, he was the strong one for being on the straight and narrow among fools. He asks for understanding from his "dad" only after he fought those guys

i always thought it telling that no one in the bar room tried to stop the fight (which either means the Gattlin boys were hated, they'd been boasting about what they'd done, everyone felt Tommy was in the right, or all of the above) because, besides the Gattlin boys, Tommy, the bartenders etc there had to be more people in the bar

The trick is to know when to fight and when not to; don't sweat the small stuff, but know when you have to stand tall.

Your response makes this song that much stronger.

I absolutely love what you two are doing. The music you react to is great music. I spent my teenage years in the 70s. Music brought us all together because almost every song was about being a person handling what life brought you. It is a melting pot where politics, race and everything else just goes away. Bands were interracial. The entire theme of the 70s was really about love. It was the best years of my life. So glad you are loving it too. Bless you both.❤

I see the look in Shawn face, it's every man's worst nightmare not not be there to protect the women in your life. Mom, sister, girlfriend, wife, daughter, even a close friend, hell you don't even need to know a woman at in a case like that.

I especially love watching the fire grow in the eyes of men.... When a man finds his cape. Goosebumps

♥ The storytelling is phenomenal; three chords and the truth.

Funny after the first verse you guys were talking about the great meaning of his dad’s advice , in my mind I could hear Tommy telling you “hold my beer”

In the movie, the scene is set at World War II. The oldest Gatlin brother just came out of Boot Camp and they had harassed Tommy since kindergarten. The three brothers and their father, his uncle in the movie was a preacher. Tommy beat the living daylights out of them, but he did not kill them. They were arrested and thrown in jail. The one that was in the army was dishonorably discharged, and did time in the brick, that’s the general story of the movie

They made a TV movie based on this song. When I was a kid, I didn't understand the "taking turns at Becky" part. I thought they just came over & slapped/beat her up. It wasn't until years later when I hear it again as an older teen that it clicked in my brain what really happened. Wait... WHAT?!?! OH HELL NO! I wanted to go kick some Gatlin boys' asses myself! OK, now you have to check out "Lucille" by Kenny Rogers... Another great story put to music. Kenny himself said it's a "great beer drinkin' sing-a-long song that everyone can join in". It's true, I first heard it as a kid & didn't really pay attention to the lyrics, but me & my friends would belt out the main chorus every time it played on the radio "You picked a fine time to..." That's all I'll say for now, so as not to give "spoilers" on what the song is about. Please check it out soon - you wont regret it, I promise.

Shawn and Mel in 1981 Kenny Rodgers stared in the TV movie based on this song, And as always a great reaction 👊🏾👊🏾

If you just stop and think of it at a basic level. It Takes so much more courage and toughness to stand there and be berated or even beat up and just taking it. That requires way more courage than fighting back. Fighting back, or running is your natural instinct. To stand and not retaliate takes REAL strength.

Ive always loved Kenny Rogers, great singer. His songs are classic

I just love your expressions. So genuine. I was raised on this music. To see your expressions makes me feel like I heard it the first time

They even made a television movie based on this song. i remember watching it when I was a kid.

This song is one of the greatest. Yes, the first part is true. Fighting needless fights doesn't make you a man (or hell, a woman for that matter) because fighting to prove yourself will land you in trouble. But the second part is just as a true - there are certain lines that once crossed, there's no going back and the person (persons) that crossed that line deserves to face repercussions and Tommy showed them that. Also, never make assumptions. Just because a person doesn't fight for the sake of fighting doesn't mean that won't unleash hell if pushed too far. And the one who seems the calmest is often the most dangerous.

This song was made into a movie starring Kenny Rogers

Never underestimate a peaceful man. You’ll find yourself on the wrong side.

This is my favorite Kenny Rogers. And I'm glad you enjoyed as as I do. And a little FYI... they made this into a made for TV movie under the same title "The Coward of the County" . It also stars Kenny Rogers.

Everyone has a breaking point and this song demonstrates that.

Yes. This is a wonderful song. My favourite Kenny Rogers song is Desperado, originally by The Eagles.

When I get to that part where Tommy locks the door, the first thing I think of is: "I'm not locked in here with you, you're locked in here with ME!"

This song was Kenny Rogers' first country-crossover hit of the 1980s. The song was a monster hit. It peaked at the #3 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and it went all the way to hit the #1 spot on the Billboard Country chart during the winter of 1980. Kenny Rogers was a great storyteller indeed.

This song changed my life. I had a terrible upbringing and was bullied nonstop. After hearing this song I never got bullied again. The next bully that came after me got an ass whoopin' and since that day I have only been in one fight which was quite one sided. If you are being bullied learn boxing and wrestling. That's all you need.

I remember when this was a hit. And I still love seeing the reaction of people hearing it for the first time. Great reaction.

My momma, my wife, and my little girl are 100% off limits to everyone! I'm a simple, peaceful, person except where my family is concerned. Any man worth his salt is going to be that way. My family is my life and I will sacrifice mine for them.

Oh yeeeees! About to watch! This is yet ANOTHER ✨great✨ of Kenny’s R.I.P. Mr. Kenny Rogers ❤️🙌🏻❤️

A father's love doesn't stop at the grave. That goes for grandpas. Remember when I was little my Grandpa would fall asleep during a baseball game. He'll be sound asleep and you turn to channel He will come out of a sound sleep. Tell you to turn back he was watching that. He'll be able tell you the score , what inning and who's at bat. During high School I can fall asleep during videos and pass the quiz they have after the video. Felt good to be able to take a nap during school hours and not get in trouble.

He fought to bring justice for others No Promise to his father was broken

Kenny Rogers was also part of the First Edition one of their big hits was “Ruby” in the 70’s

This song is a road trip favorite! My mom and I know every word!!By the end you know who the real man is!!😊

The thing is that his father said...walk away from trouble "if" you can. His father understood that there may be a time in Tommy's life when he couldn't walk away. What his father wanted him to do was to think before you act.

This song ALWAYS reminds me of MY Dad's best piece of advice to me, "Nothing taken to the extreme is good. A good life requires Balance."

Kenny was one of the best artist there ever was!! His songs told stories.

Okay, I guess I'm just gonna watch a bunch of stuff that's gonna make me cry today. That's okay, I guess I needed it. ❤

the motto i have always lived by : _"I help my friends, and God help my enemies."_

You guys need to react to this movie…Coward of the County. Kenny was in several movies that were made from his songs. The Gambler series was pretty good. Think there were 5 of them.

Just an FYI, they turned this song into a movie and Kenny Rogers played Tommy's Uncle. Good little flick!

In the beginning of the song, he says, Everyone considered him the coward...using the present tense. In the end of the song, he says Everyone considered him the coward....using the past tense.

Kenny Rogers is an icon. He is so very missed! Love your reactions.

Fantasy reaction as always!! I’ve know this song since I was a young teen-I’m 55 now. Even then I got the message-there are lined no one crosses!!!

Loved this song as a kid coming up in the country. Tommy went Equalizer on them when he locked the door. Ironically they both tried to do the right thing.

Kenny Rogers' lyrics are straight up electric because every song speaks to something different we've all experienced to some degree. Dads teach boys not just by the good things they do but sometimes by telling them not to make the same mistakes they've made. I have seven boys and damn I've messed a lot of things up. There's a fine balance between giving too much information and being honest about imperfection with your boys. Hopefully in the end we dads leave something positive for our boys to build on.

I also liked the line "I looked after Tommy because he was my brother's son." Shows how deeply Kenny cared for the family. I've seen times when a family cuts ties if a spouse becomes a widow/widower.

The important part of his Father's advice was, "Walk away from trouble if you can." Sometimes you can't walk away.

This is actually a movie too, very good watch as well.

I have noticed that most of the men reacting to this song agree with Tommy's Dad until the second verse. We women have to remember that we have to stand up for our men as well. It's not just on the men. In a relationship, we have to protect each other from outside influences. Sometimes that means putting others in their place.

Another wonderful story by Kenny Rogers is "Long Arm of the Law"!

My husband’s name is Tom and I’m Becky, my Tommy wouldn’t have stopped until they were dead. ❤️❤️

This song chokes me up every time, wait until you hear the end!

The moral of the song isn't that you shouldn't fight. It is as my dad told me, "Violence is the last resort of intellence, but the choice of ignorance." A measured disciplined response. FYI, he bet them down he didn't kill them.

Made for TV movie staring Kenny Rogers, "Coward of the County" for the background the Gatlin brothers. Simple version is Becky was the older brothers girl before he joined the army and Tommy stayed in town.

"im not in here with you, you're in here with me"

those three boys had their way with Becky... Tommy had his way with those three boys... 👊

This song was made into a movie, With Kenny Rogers acting as the uncle

There is a movie out there about this song!! It includes Kenny Rogers in it!! The characters are Tommy, his mother, Becky and the Gatlin Brothers as well!! I think you would like the movie if you did love the song!! 😊

I was fortunate enough to see him live in concert about 10 years ago when he was fabulous.

Kenny Rogers is a heck of a story teller, and this is not the only song that was made into a movie!

Dads advise is great and true. And tommy did the right thing too. I go by the idea- you tyrn the other cheak and walk away when its for you but you fight when uts fir someone else who cant fight for themselves!

Check out "Long Arm of the Law" by Kenny, please. That is an amazing story.

Cried the whole time watching you both, knowing what was coming.

This is when country music was country music, when songs used to tell a story. This was taken from a movie of the same name starring the late Kenny Rogers.

there's an actual movie that was made based on this song, havent watched it in years, but if I recall the only slight variation from the song is the uncle gets involved in the bar fight at the end as well, loving your reactions, good stuff

"Beware the fury of a patient man." ~John Dryden Just because a man may not *want* to fight doesn't mean that he can't or that you can cross him with impunity...When a man *must* fight, he will & there will be no quarter or mercy if you break his patience with you. That's also why this was written: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. *But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."* ~If you don't know where that comes from, you ain't an American

I love this song. Don’t push a good man too far. It’s a good thing to remember. Bullies are really cowards anyway.

Was always a great song..even made it into a movie of the week. Kenny had some great songs/stories.

I know the song so I can enjoy your reaction because I know how it turns out...but when you two stopped chair dancing and stared at each other, I gotta admit I lmao! Great reaction.

Country music has the best story telling. period