The Gambler is the sixth studio album by American singer
Kenny Rogers, released by
United Artists in November 1978. One of his most popular, it has established Rogers' status as one of the most successful artists of the 1970s and 1980s. The album reached many markets around the world, such as the
Far East and
Jamaica, with Rogers later commenting "When I go to
Korea or
Hong Kong people say 'Ah, the gambler!'" (as per the sleeve notes to the 1998 released box set Through the Years on Capitol Records). The album has sold over
5 million copies.[2][3]
History
The title track "
The Gambler" was written by
Don Schlitz, who was the first to record it. It was also covered by several other artists, but it was Kenny Rogers' adaptation of the tale that went on to top the country charts and win a
Grammy Song of the Year award, later becoming Rogers' signature song. Although
Johnny Cash recorded the song first, Rogers's version was released first. Both this song and "
She Believes in Me" became pop music hits, helping Rogers become well-known beyond country music circles. Although largely compiled from songs by some of the music business's top songwriters, such as
Alex Harvey,
Mickey Newbury, and Steve Gibb, Rogers continued to show his own talent for songwriting with "Morgana Jones". The album was produced by
Larry Butler.
In Britain, both the title cut and the album did very well in the country market, but both failed to reach the top 40 of the pop charts. In the 1980s the single of "The Gambler" was re-issued and made the top 100 sales list, but again charted outside the top 40. It wasn't until the song was re-issued in 2007 when the song was adopted by the England Rugby Team at the Rugby World Cup that it charted at its #22 peak.
Its popularity has led to many releases over the years. After
United Artists was absorbed into EMI/Capitol in 1980, The Gambler was reissued on vinyl and cassette on the
Liberty Records label. Several years later, Liberty issued an abridged version of the album, removing the track "Morgana Jones".
EMI Manhattan Records released "The Gambler" on CD in the 1980s. An 'Original Master Recording' from
Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs was released on vinyl (audiophile edition vinyl). Finally, The Gambler was released on Rogers' own Dreamcatcher Records in 2001 as part of the Kenny Rogers "Original Masters Series."
Additionally, "I Wish That I Could Hurt That Way Again" was later become a hit in 1986 for
T. Graham Brown, whose version went to #3 on the country charts.
link