The Gambler (1978) 2/17/20

When singer/songwriter Don Schlitz wrote today's "Great Song of the '70s," he spent 2 years shopping it around Nashville until Bobby Bare recorded it. Nothing happened.

Then he recorded it himself. Radio silence.

He even convinced Johnny Cash to record it. Nada.

Finally, Kenny Rogers took a stab at it...and BOOM: It was a hit on 3 different Billboard charts at the same time: #16 on the Hot 100, #3 on the Adult Contemporary Chart, and #1 on the Country Chart.

Elsewhere, it went to #2 in Canada...and #8 in Spain.

In 2018, it was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or artistically significant."

And in the end, it left us all with these words of wisdom:

"You've got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, Know when to walk away, 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 dealin's done.

PS: Don Schlitz is now a member of the Nashville Songwriter's Hall of Fame, as well as the Country Music Hall of Fame. Over the years, he has written many great country songs...including one of my favorites from the '80s: "Forever and Ever, Amen" by Randy Travis.

From 1978, here's "The Gambler!"