On this day (August 5) in 1976, Kenny Rogers entered American Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, and recorded “Lucille.” He released it as a single from his self-titled sophomore solo album. It was a massive hit for Rogers, his first since leaving the First Edition in 1975.
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Rogers and the First Edition saw fairly consistent chart success throughout the late 1960s. Tracks like “Something’s Burning,” “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town,” and “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)” helped them dominate the Billboard Hot 100. However, their success started to dry up in the early 1970s, with their final charting single, “School Teacher,” peaking at No. 91 on the all-genre chart. Three years and as many albums later, Rogers chose to start his solo career.
[RELATED: “Through the Years,” in 15 Minutes: The Love Song Kenny Rogers Almost Missed]
Kenny Rogers and the First Edition seamlessly blended psychedelic pop, rock, folk, and country. However, when Rogers embarked on his solo career, he set his sights on country music success. His debut solo effort, Love Lifted Me, produced a pair of singles that saw moderate chart success. The album’s title track peaked at No. 19 on the country chart. “While the Feeling’s Good” landed at No. 46. He reached the top 20 again when “Laura (What’s He Got That I Ain’t Got)” peaked at No. 19. Then, he released “Lucille” and his solo career took off.
“Lucille” went to No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart and No. 6 on the Hot 100, giving Rogers the first of many crossover hits. It also topped the official UK Singles Chart and multiple Canadian charts.
Kenny Rogers’ Mom Wasn’t Happy About “Lucille”
Hal Bynum and Roger Bowling co-wrote “Lucille” while the former was going through a hard time in his marriage. According to Songfacts, he was struggling to remain faithful in the face of another woman’s advances. At the same time, his wife was preparing for a trip. He told her, “You picked a fine time to leave me,” which became the seed that sprouted into a massive hit song.
The song is about a woman who leaves her husband and four kids at home while she goes out looking for an affair partner in a local bar. Unfortunately, the song also shares its name with Kenny Rogers’ mom.
“She called me up on the phone one day and said, ‘Kenneth Ray, what are you doing?’ I knew when she said that I was in trouble,” Rogers told Billboard. “She thought I was putting her business out on the street,” he added.
“I told her, ‘First of all, you have eight kids. Secondly, I didn’t write it. And thirdly, it’s not about you.’ Then, she tamed down a little bit,” Rogers recalled.
Featured Image by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images
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