Coward of the County

Last updated

"Coward of the County"
Kenny rogers-coward of the county s.jpg
Single by Kenny Rogers
from the album Kenny
B-side "I Want to Make You Smile"
ReleasedNovember 12, 1979
Genre Country
Length4:20
Label United Artists
Songwriter(s) Roger Bowling, Billy Edd Wheeler
Producer(s) Larry Butler
Kenny Rogers singles chronology
"You Decorated My Life"
(1979)		"Coward of the County"
(1979)		"Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer"
(1980)

"Coward of the County" is a song written by Roger Bowling and Billy Edd Wheeler and recorded by American country music singer Kenny Rogers. The song was released in November 1979 as the second single from Rogers' multi-platinum album Kenny . It became a major crossover hit, topping the Billboard Country chart and reaching number three on the Hot 100 chart; it also topped the Cash Box singles chart and was a Top 10 hit in numerous other countries worldwide, topping the chart in Canada, the UK and Ireland, where it remained at number one for six consecutive weeks. [1]

Contents

Content

The narrator sings about his ward and nephew Tommy, widely considered a coward. Tommy's nonviolent attitude was influenced by his father, who had died in prison when Tommy was ten years old. During Tommy's last visit to his father, from his deathbed Tommy's father pleaded with him to avoid the same mistakes that he had made ("promise me, son, not to do the things I've done..."), telling him that "turning the other cheek" is not a sign of weakness and advising him, "Son, you don't have to fight to be a man."

Years later, Tommy is in a relationship with a woman named Becky who loves and accepts him. One day while Tommy is at work, the three Gatlin brothers sexually assault Becky. When he returns home and finds Becky crying, he must choose between defending her honor or upholding his father's plea to "walk away from trouble when he can."

When Tommy enters the barroom, the Gatlins laugh at him, even more so when he seemingly turns to walk out. But to their surprise, Tommy locks the door, then fights all three Gatlin boys (unleashing "twenty years of crawling" that "was bottled up inside him"), knocking each to the floor. He hopes that his father understands that "sometimes you gotta fight when you're a man."

Reference to "The Gatlin Boys"

It has been claimed[ by whom? ] that mention of the "Gatlin boys ... there was three of them" in the song was a reference to the Gatlin Brothers. However, in The Billboard Book of Number One Country Singles, Rogers stated that he was unaware of the connection and that he would have otherwise asked for the name to be changed. Larry Gatlin liked the song, [2] and songwriter Billy Edd Wheeler denied that the lyric was a reference to the Gatlin Brothers. [3]

Gatlin later claimed in an interview on The Adam Carolla Show that the song’s cowriter Roger Bowling held a personal grudge against him for unknown reasons. Gatlin stated that when Bowling won song of the year for "Lucille" at the 1977 CMA Awards, Gatlin approached Bowling to congratulate him, but Bowling said "fuck you, Gatlin!' and an exchange of harsh words followed. Gatlin claimed that the incident led to the inclusion of his name in the lyrics for "Coward of the County." [4]

In a 2013 interview with the song's co-writer, Billy Edd Wheeler suggested that the beef between Bowling and Gatlin arose during a visit to the office of Kenny's producer Larry Butler. He said,

"Roger had crossed swords with Larry Gatlin in Larry Butler’s office. Roger was sitting there and Larry Butler said to Gatlin, “I suppose you know Roger Bowling?” Larry Gatlin replied, 'No, but I’m sure he knows me.' ... Roger Bowling was quick witted. Instantly he said, 'Gatlin, Gatlin? Uh, is your family in guns?' Supposedly, it pissed Gatlin off a bit." [5]

Chart performance

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [29] Gold75,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [30] Gold500,000^
United States (RIAA) [31] Gold1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Cover versions

Alvin and the Chipmunks covered the song with several lyric changes for the 1981 album Urban Chipmunk .

Jamaican dancehall musician Sister Nancy performed a version on her 1982 album "One, Two" as "Coward of the Country." Her version also includes elements of the songs "Banana Boat Song" and "In the Ghetto." [32]

The Dutch singer Gerard Schoonebeek covered the song in 1980, a Dutch version, called "Lafaard van de stad".

Film adaptation

The song inspired a 1981 television movie of the same name [33] directed by Dick Lowry, who also directed all but the last of The Gambler television movie saga pentalogy.

The film stars Rogers as Tommy's uncle Reverend Matthew Spencer (who sang the song in the film), and features Fredric Lehne as Tommy Spencer, Largo Woodruff as Becky and William Schreiner as James Joseph "Jimmy Joe" Gatlin, the lead bully of the Gatlin family clan. The movie added several characters not mentioned in the song, including Car-Wash (Noble Willingham), a friend of the Spencers, Violet (Ana Alicia), another local girl who is also in love with Tommy and Lem Gatlin (Joe Dorsey), the father of the Gatlin boys.

Set in small-town Georgia during the onset of America's involvement in World War II, the film's plot expands on the story in the song. Jimmy Joe Gatlin proclaims that Becky is his girl, although Becky repeatedly states that she is not. Her rejection of Jimmy Joe's advances and her romance with Tommy cause the Gatlins to assault Becky just days before she and Tommy are to be married.

In a huge barroom brawl with the Gatlins, Tommy prevails with the help of Matthew, who has recently resigned his position with the church. After the Gatlin brothers are convicted for gang-raping Becky, Tommy joins the Marines and must report for duty after his wedding to Becky, and the church deacons invite Matthew to return.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenny Rogers</span> American country singer and songwriter (1938–2020)

Kenny Rogers was an American singer and songwriter. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Rogers was particularly popular with country audiences but also charted more than 120 hit singles across various genres, topping the country and pop album charts for more than 200 individual weeks in the United States alone. He sold more than 100 million records worldwide during his lifetime, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. His fame and career spanned multiple genres: jazz, folk, pop, rock, and country. He remade his career and was one of the most successful cross-over artists of all time.

<i>The Gambler</i> (album) 1978 studio album by Kenny Rogers

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!'". The album has sold over 5 million copies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Gatlin</span> American country and gospel singer-songwriter (born 1948)

Larry Wayne Gatlin is an American country and Southern gospel singer-songwriter. As part of the Gatlin Brothers trio that included his younger brothers Steve and Rudy, he achieved considerable success within the country music genre, performing on 33 top 40 country singles, a total inclusive of his recordings as a solo artist and with the group.

Larry Butler was a country music producer/songwriter. From the mid-1970s through the 1980s, he worked with Kenny Rogers. Many of his albums with Rogers went either gold or platinum and accumulated many millions of sales around the world. These albums include Kenny Rogers (1976), The Gambler (1978), Gideon (1980) and I Prefer The Moonlight (1987). Rogers and Butler maintained a friendship outside of show business. Butler also produced Rogers' 1993 album If Only My Heart Had A Voice. He also participated in Rogers 2006 retrospective DVD The Journey.

Roger Dale Bowling was an American songwriter who specialized in country music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Gambler (song)</span> 1978 single by Kenny Rogers

"The Gambler" is a song written by Don Schlitz and recorded by several artists, most famously by American country singer Kenny Rogers.

<i>Once Upon a Christmas</i> (Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton album) 1984 studio album by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton

Once Upon a Christmas is a collaborative studio album by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. It was released on October 29, 1984, by RCA Records. The album was produced by Rogers with David Foster. It was Rogers' second Christmas album, following 1981's Christmas, and Parton's first. The album's release was accompanied by a CBS television special, Kenny & Dolly: A Christmas to Remember. The album was certified 2× Platinum by the RIAA in 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">She Believes in Me</span> 1979 single by Kenny Rogers

"She Believes in Me" is a song recorded by American country music singer Kenny Rogers. It was released in April 1979 as the second single from his 1978 album The Gambler. The song was written by American singer-songwriter Steve Gibb who first released his version as a 7" single in 1978. A version by T. G. Sheppard appears on his 1978 album Daylight, released a month before Rogers' album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We've Got Tonite</span> 1978 single by Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band

"We've Got Tonite" is a song written by American rock musician Bob Seger, from his album Stranger in Town (1978). The single record charted twice for Seger, and was developed from a prior song that he had written. Further versions charted in 1983 for Kenny Rogers as a duet with Sheena Easton, and again in 2002 for Ronan Keating.

<i>Kenny</i> (album) 1979 studio album by Kenny Rogers

Kenny is the eighth studio album by American singer Kenny Rogers, released in 1979. It includes the singles "Coward of the County" and "You Decorated My Life."

<i>Jesus Was a Capricorn</i> 1972 studio album by Kris Kristofferson

Jesus Was a Capricorn is the fourth album by Kris Kristofferson, released in 1972 on Monument Records. The album cover pictures Kristofferson and his soon-to-be wife Rita Coolidge. "Why Me" reached #1 on the Country singles charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucille (Kenny Rogers song)</span> 1977 single by Kenny Rogers

"Lucille" is a song written by Roger Bowling and Hal Bynum, and recorded by American country music artist Kenny Rogers. It was released in January 1977 as the second and final single from the album Kenny Rogers. It became Rogers' first major hit as a solo artist after leaving the successful country/rock group the First Edition the previous year. An international hit, it reached number one on the Billboard Country Singles chart and number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Overseas, "Lucille" reached the top of the UK Singles Chart in June 1977, the first of Rogers' two number one singles there.

<i>Daytime Friends</i> 1977 studio album by Kenny Rogers

Daytime Friends is the third studio album by American singer Kenny Rogers for United Artists Records, released in 1977. It was his second major success following the break-up of The First Edition in 1976.

Billy Edward Wheeler was an American songwriter, performer, writer, and visual artist.

<i>Eyes That See in the Dark</i> 1983 studio album by Kenny Rogers

Eyes That See in the Dark is the fifteenth studio album by American country singer Kenny Rogers, released by RCA Records in August 1983.

<i>Every Time Two Fools Collide</i> 1978 studio album by Kenny Rogers and Dottie West

Every Time Two Fools Collide is a 1978 duet album by American country music singers Kenny Rogers and Dottie West.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lady (Kenny Rogers song)</span> 1980 single by Kenny Rogers

"Lady" is a song written by Lionel Richie and first recorded by American country music artist Kenny Rogers. It was released in September 1980 on the album Kenny Rogers' Greatest Hits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenny Rogers discography</span>

The discography of American singer Kenny Rogers (1938–2020), consists of 39 studio albums and 80 singles, 24 of which have reached Number One on the country chart. His longest-lasting Number Ones on that chart are "The Gambler" and "Coward of the County", at three weeks each. Two of his Number One country hits, "Lady" and "Islands in the Stream", a duet with Dolly Parton, also reached Number One on the Billboard Hot 100; "Lady" spent six weeks at the top, making it his longest running Number One single on any Billboard chart. More than just a US phenomenon, he found an audience around the world with two of his biggest songs, "Lucille" and "Coward of the County", both reaching Number One on the general sales chart in the UK. His albums The Gambler and Kenny each topped the country chart for at least 20 weeks, while his Greatest Hits was the only album by a solo country performer to top the Billboard 200 during the 1980s, reaching the summit in late 1980.

<i>Kenny Rogers</i> (album) 1977 studio album by Kenny Rogers

Kenny Rogers is the second studio album by American singer Kenny Rogers from United Artists Records, released in 1977. The album marked his first major solo success following the minor success of Love Lifted Me in 1976.

"Evening Star" is a song written by Barry and Maurice Gibb, and recorded by American country music artist Kenny Rogers. It was released in June 1984 as the third single from the album Eyes That See in the Dark. The song reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

References

  1. ↑ "Kenny Rogers | Artist". Official Charts. Archived from the original on December 24, 2011. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  2. ↑ Roland, Tom, The Billboard Book of Number One Country Hits. Billboard Books, Watson-Guptill Publications, New York, 1991 ( ISBN   0-82-307553-2)
  3. ↑ Canfield, Jack; Hansen, Mark Victor; Rudder, Randy (2011). Chicken Soup for the Soul: Country Music: The Inspirational Stories Behind 101 of Your Favorite Country Songs. ISBN   9781611591903 . Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Larry Gatlin Podcast". adamcarolla.com. July 24, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Billy Edd Wheeler". www.spencerleigh.co.uk. May 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  6. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 256. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  7. ↑ "Kenny Rogers – Coward of the County" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  8. ↑ "Kenny Rogers – Coward of the County" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  9. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 13, 1980" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  10. ↑ "Kenny Rogers – Coward of the County" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  11. ↑ "Kenny Rogers – Coward of the County". Top 40 Singles.
  12. ↑ "Kenny Rogers – Coward of the County". Swiss Singles Chart.
  13. ↑ "SA Charts 1965–March 1989" . Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  14. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN   84-8048-639-2.
  15. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 377. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  16. ↑ "Kenny Rogers Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  17. ↑ "Kenny Rogers Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  18. ↑ "Kenny Rogers Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  19. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Kenny Rogers – Coward of the County" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  20. ↑ "National Top 100 Singles for 1980". Kent Music Report. January 5, 1981. Retrieved January 17, 2022– via Imgur.
  21. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1980". Ultratop. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Top 100 Singles (1980)". RPM . Archived from the original on April 25, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1980". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Top Selling Singles of 1980 | The Official New Zealand Music Chart".
  25. ↑ "Chart File". Record Mirror . London, England: Spotlight Publications. March 21, 1981. p. 37.
  26. ↑ Musicoutfitters.com
  27. ↑ "Best of 1980: Country Songs". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media. 1980.
  28. ↑ "Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 27, 1980". Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Kenny Rogers – Coward of the Country". Music Canada . Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  30. ↑ "British single certifications – Kenny Rogers – Coward of the County". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  31. ↑ "American single certifications – Kenny Rogers – Coward of the County". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  32. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : "Coward of the Country - Sister Nancy". YouTube .
  33. ↑ "Coward of the County (TV Movie 1981) - IMDb".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.