Most people remember “The Gambler,” the story-song cultural moment that put Kenny Rogers on the map (or, at least, on another level of it). We heard it everywhere we went, and Rogers went on to make several TV movies based on the song.

Others remember the duets with Dolly Parton, Dottie West, and Kim Carnes.

In truth, I never was a Kenny Rogers fan, at least in the way that the aforementioned songs and popularity created his fan base. Even as a young person, I always felt that Rogers was always genre-hopping and seeking the next big thing and more attention, basically a the precursor of Garth Brooks. And speaking of popularity, I always preferred “Reuben James” to “The Gambler.”

However, there are three overlooked & underrated Rogers songs that I think are more emotional, true, and affective (and effective):

• “Twenty Years Ago”: I had only been out of high school for three years when this song was released in 1987. However, even then (and now), this one could generate memories and at least the beginning of some tears. This song only gets better with time and every year or decade since you graduated high school. Another great thematically similar song is “The Class of ’57” by the Statler Brothers.

 

• “Scarlet Fever”: I imagine that a lot of listeners have never heard of this 1983 song. It tells the story of a lovesick young man expressing the feelings and memories of a young romantic (himself, who is still figuring out what “romantic” fully and truly means). I supposed that’s why I remember this one; I was at that very age when this song was released. Bob Seger’s “Main Street” charted this territory first, and both capture the same feelings.

 

• “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town”: This song is so important on so many levels. For starters, it functions as both a classic country “cheatin” song and simultaneously provides social commentary on the Vietnam War and its effects on veterans (and their relationships and readjustment to American society). Rogers recorded this version when he was part of the First Edition group. Once again, a Rogers song has a connection that many listeners don’t realize: it was written by…country great Mel Tillis! Here’s his version. A pre-outlaw Waylon Jennings sang a cover as well.

“Ars moriendi,” Kenny Rogers…