Moonlight Gambler

Frankie Laine

About Moonlight Gambler

"Moonlight Gambler" is a song written by Bob Hilliard and Phil Springer and performed by Frankie Laine featuring Ray Conniff and His Orchestra. It reached #3 on the U. S. pop chart and #13 on the UK Singles chart in 1957. The single ranked #32 on Billboard's Year-End top 50 singles of 1957. The song begins with a spoken recitation by Laine saying: "You can gamble for matchsticks,/ You can gamble for Gold,/ The Takes may be heavy or small,/ But, if you haven't gambled for love and lost,/ Then you haven't gambled at all"/ Which is repeated when sung in the Bridge section of the song. Laine's version also features a whistler and a clip clopping sound, too. 


Year:
1989
2:57
111 
#1

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You can gamble for match sticks, you can gamble for gold
The stakes may be heavy or small
But if you haven't gambled for love and lost, you haven't gambled at all

They call me a moonlight gambler
I've gambled for love and lost
When I gamble for love and it isn't in the cards
Oh, what heartaches it can cost me

Win or lose, I'm a moonlight gambler
And a winner is what I long to be
So I'll gamble for love just as long as I live
Till the day Lady Luck smiles at me

You can gamble for match sticks
You can gamble for gold
The stakes may be heavy or small
But if you haven't gambled for love and lost
Then you haven't gambled at all

No, if you haven't gambled for love in the moonlight
Then you haven't gambled at all

So I'll gamble for love just as long as I live
Till the day Lady Luck smiles at me

They call me the moonlight gambler
They call me the moonlight gambler

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Frankie Laine

Frankie Laine (March 30, 1913 – February 6, 2007), born Francesco Paolo LoVecchio, was a successful American singer, songwriter, and actor whose career spanned 75 years, from his first concerts in 1930 with a marathon dance company to his final performance of "That's My Desire" in 2005. Often billed as America's Number One Song Stylist, his other nicknames include Mr. Rhythm, Old Leather Lungs, and Mr. Steel Tonsils. His hits included "That's My Desire," "That Lucky Old Sun," "Mule Train," "Cry of the Wild Goose," "Jezebel," "High Noon," "I Believe," "Hey Joe!," "The Kid's Last Fight," "Cool Water," "Moonlight Gambler," "Love is a Golden Ring," "Rawhide," and "Lord, You Gave Me a Mountain." more »

2 fans

Written by: PHILIP SPRINGER, BOB HILLIARD

Lyrics © BOURNE CO., TAMIR MUSIC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Release Information
"Moonlight Gambler" is a popular release sung by a famous singer named "Frankie Laine". It was officially released in 1956.
Song Achievement
The song quickly rose to popularity and managed to rank #3 on the Billboard Top 100 list. Thus, it is one of the most renowned songs of Frankie Laine.
Composition Details
"Moonlight Gambler" was composed by Bob Hilliard and Phil Springer. Bob Hilliard was a well-known American lyricist while Phil Springer is a prolific songwriter.
Genre Classification
The song aligns with the Pop/Adult Contemporary genre. Laine's conviction and strong vocal delivery are a good example of the style of popular music dominant in the mid-1950s.
The Singer's Background
Frankie Laine was an Italian-American singer, songwriter, and actor who enjoyed success in the music world for over seventy years. His powerful, passionate style of singing was well suited to "Moonlight Gambler".
Chart Performance
Not only did it reach the high position in the United States, but "Moonlight Gambler" also secured a spot in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 17.
Subsequent Achievements
Frankie Laine's "Moonlight Gambler" has been included in numerous compilation and greatest hits albums, reflecting its enduring popularity among listeners.
Covers and Renditions
Over time, the song was covered by various artists across the globe.
Inspirations and Influence
"Moonlight Gambler" remains influential today and continues to inspire singers and musicians worldwide, particularly those in the adult contemporary and pop genres.
Cultural Context
The song's success represents the era's taste in music - a time when the big-band era was waning and rock and roll had not yet taken over the mainstream airwaves. It's also a testament to Laine's timeless appeal.
Lyrical Content
The lyrics of "Moonlight Gambler" present the analogy between love and gambling, a common theme in many popular songs. It portrays the singer as a plucky, risk-taking lover who isn't afraid to take chances on romance.

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