Busker's Fantastic Cover of Kenny Rogers' 'The Gambler'

This UK busker's fantastic cover of Kenny Rogers' “The Gambler” is a storytelling wonder. Atticus Blue’s take on the song is lovely—and draws strength from the lyrics. Play the video to hear it for yourself.

Atticus has a way of making any song sound rich and profound. "The Gambler" busker’s cover sounds a little willowy and echoey as he stands on a busy street. He draws in gawkers and passersby who’re attracted to his rich and smooth voice. 

In a way that isn’t so clear in the original song, Atticus draws out the lyrics, which are a story through song. He makes it clear that there is a lesson to be learned. 

Some of the lyrics in "The Gambler" busker cover are: 

So I handed him my bottle and he drank down my last swallow
Then he bummed a cigarette and asked me for a light
And the night got deathly quiet and his face lost all expression
Said, "If you're gonna play the game, boy, you gotta learn to play it right”

‘The Gambler’ Was Written in 1976

The song was written in 1976 by country songwriter Don Schlitz. He never expected the song would get as much notoriety as it did. 

Don recalled that in “20 minutes, I wrote most of it in my head. I didn’t write a last verse. [I] had no idea what was gonna happen, thought it was an interesting story, but it was a throwaway. I spent about six weeks trying to figure out what was gonna happen after the chorus.”

When Kenny picked up the song, it became a huge hit—the biggest perhaps of Kenny’s whole career. The song helped Kenny win a Grammy, and it even inspired five movies that Kenny starred in. Johnny Cash also recorded the song, but it was Rogers that fans clung to. 

Atticus’ version is a lovely nod to the country legend. 

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