OldiesButGoodies

Country

Kenny Rogers – Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town

Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town - Kenny Rogers And The F… | Flickr

Introduction:

Released in 1969, “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town” became a signature song for the legendary country artist Kenny Rogers. Backed by his group The First Edition, the song transcended genre lines, resonating with audiences across the United States. While not originally written by Rogers, the track became a defining moment in his early career, showcasing his powerful vocals and ability to deliver emotionally charged lyrics.

Composed by songwriter Mel Tillis, “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town” tells the story of a heartbroken man, physically unable to stop his lover, Ruby, from leaving. The song paints a vivid picture of desperation and vulnerability as the narrator pleads with Ruby not to abandon him. The lyrics hint at a potential physical disability, with lines like “I’m stuck in this chair, I can’t hold you near” adding a layer of poignancy to the narrative. While the song doesn’t explicitly mention the Vietnam War, which was raging at the time of its release, the themes of loss, separation, and the psychological impact of war resonated with many listeners.

Produced by Kim Fowley, “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town” was a critical and commercial success. Although it only reached number seven on the Cashbox singles chart, the song’s emotional depth and relatable story helped propel it to iconic status. Kenny Rogers & The First Edition performed the song extensively, further solidifying its place in country music history.

“Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town” has been covered by numerous artists over the years, a testament to its enduring legacy. From Dolly Parton to Rod Stewart, the song’s powerful storytelling and Kenny Rogers’ poignant delivery continue to resonate with audiences today. The track’s success also launched Kenny Rogers as a solo artist, paving the way for a long and illustrious career. “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town” stands as a prime example of country music’s ability to capture complex emotions and connect with listeners on a deeply personal level.

Video:

https://youtu.be/tDOznxiEcdM?si=uYyqv8oiipJV9K5t

Lyrics:

You’ve painted up your lips and rolled and curled your tinted hairRuby, are you contemplating going out somewhere?The shadow on the wall tells me the sun is going down
Oh, RubyDon’t take your love to town
It wasn’t me that started that old crazy Asian warBut I was proud to go and do my patriotic choreAnd yes, it’s true that I’m not the man I used to be
Oh, RubyI still need some company
It’s hard to love a man whose legs are bent and paralyzedAnd the wants and the needs of a woman of your age, Ruby, I realizeBut it won’t be long I’ve heard them say until I’m not around
Oh, RubyDon’t take your love to town
She’s leaving now ’cause I just heard the slamming of the doorThe way I know I’ve heard it slam one hundred times beforeAnd if I could move I’d get my gun and put her in the ground
Oh, RubyDon’t take your love to town
Oh, RubyFor God’s sakes turn around

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Merle Haggard’s childhood was becoming increasingly chaotic when something entered his life that would eventually change everything: a guitar. His older brother Lowell gave him one when Merle was around 12. Merle began teaching himself, absorbing the records and styles of country heroes such as Bob Wills, Lefty Frizzell and Hank Williams. There were no expensive lessons preparing him for Nashville. There was simply a troubled California kid listening closely and learning how another man’s sadness could live inside a melody. Merle would still make plenty of mistakes. Music didn’t instantly rescue him from running away, juvenile detention or eventually prison. But the guitar remained. Years later, millions would recognize Merle’s voice within seconds. Perhaps that’s because he wasn’t merely learning how to sing songs as a boy. He was slowly learning how to tell the truth about his own life.

Merle Haggard rarely needed to invent heartbreak. He had known it since childhood. In 1946, when Merle was only nine years old, his father, James Haggard, died following a stroke. For a boy who deeply needed his father’s presence, the loss became a turning point. His mother, Flossie, worked to support the family. Merle, meanwhile, became increasingly restless. He skipped school, ran away, got into trouble, and began a long journey through juvenile institutions that eventually led somewhere far darker. Looking back at his life, it is difficult not to see that nine-year-old boy behind many of the adult Merle Haggard’s songs. People later called him a rebel, an outlaw and a survivor. But before any of those labels existed, there was simply a grieving boy who had lost his dad—and never seemed to completely outrun that loss.

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