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Kenny Rogers is one of the biggest country stars of all time. During his astonishing career, he sold over 100 million records and had 21 Number One hits. In 2013, Kenny Rogers was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, which came as no surprise to country music fans across the globe.
With 21 top songs and countless other hits, it can be hard for people to choose where to start when they want to explore the vast range of Kenny Rogers. It’s like picking which slot machines you want to play first on GClub—with so many great options, you want to make sure the first couple of spins sets the mood.
We recommend any of the following hit songs by Kenny Rogers as an excellent starting point:
“The Gambler”
“The Gambler” is one of the most popular country songs to date, not just in the U.S. but internationally. You can walk into a bar in Jamaica and hear it playing while others sing along to it in a karaoke bar in Japan. The song topped the country charts and reached the Top 20 in pop charts.
While Bobby Bare and Johnny Cash recorded the song before Kenny Rogers, they couldn’t do justice to it. There have also been numerous covers since Kenny’s recording in 1978, but his original remains the best version.
“Lucille”
“Lucille” was the first song after Kenny Rogers went solo. It hit the top spot in the charts almost immediately.
The song tells a story of a married couple going through trouble with Rogers coming close to being the ‘other man’ but deciding at last minute not to go down that road.
The song featured lyrics that people could relate to and put Kenny Rogers on the country music map.
“Lady”
“Lady” established Kenny Rogers as a household name in 1980, cementing his commercial success as a country star. The song was passed up by Lionel Richie and displayed a tender side to Kenny Rogers, featuring moments where his voice cracks.
It is a mix of country with a hint of jazz and will easily set a romantic mood.
“Every Time Two Fools Collide”
The song was the first time Dottie West and Kenny Rogers teamed up for a duet. Kenny had already established himself as a country star with numerous hits while Dottie was still struggling to make a name for herself.
“Every Time Two Fools Collide,” did just that for Dottie. The two Texans complemented each other well and won the honours of the CMA Vocal Duo of the Year in 1978, the same year this song was released.
Though Kenny Rogers has countless hits, it is important to start your playlist with the right song. You can’t go wrong with any of the songs on our list as they are all hits and highlight the relatable lyrics and charisma of the international country sensation. Kenny Rogers is supremely talented, and his music will go down in the annals of history.
