Lucille

Kenny Rogers

About Lucille

"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 1 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.  


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In a bar in Toledo across from the depot
On a barstool, she took off her ring
I thought I'd get closer so I walked on over
I sat down and asked her name
When the drinks finally hit her she said, I'm no quitter
But I finally quit livin' on dreams
I'm hungry for laughter and here ever after
I'm after whatever the other life brings
In the mirror, I saw him and I closely watched him
I thought how he looked out of place
He came to the woman who sat there beside me
He had a strange look on his face
The big hands were calloused, he looked like a mountain
For a minute I thought I was dead
But he started shaking, his big heart was breaking
He turned to the woman and said

You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille
With four hungry children and a crop in the field
I've had some bad times, lived through some sad times
But this time your hurting won't heal
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille

After he left us, I ordered more whiskey
I thought how she'd made him look small
From the lights of the barroom
To a rented hotel room
We walked without talking at all
She was a beauty but when she came to me
She must have thought I'd lost my mind
I couldn't hold her 'cause the words that he told her
Kept coming back time after time

You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille
With four hungry children and a crop in the field
I've had some bad times, lived through some sad times
But this time your hurting won't heal
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille

You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille
With four hungry children and a crop in the field
I've had some bad times, lived through some sad times
But this time your hurting won't heal
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille

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Kenny Rogers

Kenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers (born August 21, 1938) is an American singer-songwriter, photographer, record producer, actor, entrepreneur and author. Though he has been most successful with country audiences, he has charted more than 120 hit singles across various music genres and topping the country and pop album charts for more than 200 individual weeks in the United States alone. more »

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Written by: Hal Bynum, Roger Bowling

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release Details
"Lucille" was released in January 1977 as part of Kenny Rogers' album "Kenny Rogers".
Chart Performance
The song topped the Billboard Country Singles charts in the U.S. - It also achieved considerable success on various international charts, reaching number 1 in the UK Singles Chart.
Songwriting Credits
"Lucille" was written by Roger Bowling and Hal Bynum.
Song Theme
The song revolves around a story of a man encountering a woman named Lucille in a bar, who has left her husband and four children.
Awards and Recognition
In 1977, "Lucille" won the Grammy award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. - It was also named the Country Music Association's Single of the Year.
Impact on Kenny Roger's Career
"Lucille" was Kenny Rogers' first major hit as a solo artist after leaving his band, The First Edition.
International Success
Not only was "Lucille" a hit in English-speaking countries, but it also topped the charts in countries like Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany.
Commercial Use
The song was utilized in a 2016 TV commercial for Geico Insurance, showing its enduring popularity.
Centre of Controversy
In the UK, "Lucille" was a subject of controversy and mocked in a skit by comedian Jasper Carrott due to the 'you picked fine time' lyrics which he claimed made no grammatical sense.
Memorable Lyrics
Among the famous lyrics of the song is the chorus: "You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille/Four hungry children and a crop in the field." These lyrics have been widely referenced and parodied in various media forms.

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1977

    Billboard #5


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