Kenny Rogers – “You Picked a Fine Time to Leave Me Lucille”

Introduction:

Kenny Rogers, a singer who rose to fame with both country and pop audiences, released his signature song, “You Picked a Fine Time to Leave Me, Lucille”, in 1977. This country ballad, a story of a man abandoned by his lover at a difficult time, became a defining moment in Rogers’ career and a staple of country music.

While the song is credited solely to Rogers, it was co-produced by Rogers himself along with The First Edition, a group Rogers had previously performed with before embarking on a solo career. “You Picked a Fine Time to Leave Me, Lucille” reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, showcasing its strong roots in the genre. However, the song’s relatable themes and Rogers’ powerful vocals also resonated with a wider audience, achieving significant crossover success by climbing the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The storyline of “You Picked a Fine Time to Leave Me, Lucille” is a simple yet powerful one. The narrator, a weary farmer struggling with a failing harvest and a brood of hungry children, discovers his wife, Lucille, has abandoned him. The weight of his burdens is compounded by the emotional blow of her departure, making the timing of her leaving particularly cruel. Rogers’ emotive delivery amplifies the man’s despair and paints a vivid picture of his difficult situation.

“You Picked a Fine Time to Leave Me, Lucille” became an instant classic. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its ability to capture the universal themes of love, loss, and betrayal. It cemented Kenny Rogers’ place as a country music legend and continues to be a beloved song performed by artists across genres. The song’s title itself has become a pop culture catchphrase, referenced in everything from television shows to everyday conversations. “You Picked a Fine Time to Leave Me, Lucille” is not only a country music hit, but a powerful ballad that continues to resonate with listeners today.

Video:

Lyrics:

… 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