FIRST TIME REACTING TO | Kenny Rogers - 'Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town'

[@Rosiepooh75]

The protagonist is married to Ruby. He is a disabled Vietnam vet who has been told he doesn't have long to live. His lady, Ruby, keeps leaving him home alone and going to town to hook up with others... The pain and embarrassment makes him want to kill her, but he cannot move.

[@kestrelle5345]

Pretty much sums it up!

[@shadow1674]

Yep

[@ericzeichert511]

One minor correction...the crazy Asian war was WWII, according to Mel Tillis, who wrote it. This song was performed by the First Edition during the Viet Nam War.

[@Van1973Auken]

Yup, this.

[@jonelmer3518]

I believe that there is another part to this song... it really sounds like he is saying that he understands that she has physical needs that he can no longer fulfill and he just asks that she doesn't give her heart to any of them and comes back home to him, because he hasn't long to live and then she can move on.

[@mlong1958]

This is one of Kenny's oldest songs, from when he was with The First Edition. The line was, "If I could move, I'd get my gun and put her in the ground." He is paralyzed and dying but she is leaving him alone to go hook up in town.

[@andiross3176]

Yes! The First Edition! Rueben James, I Just Dropped In (to see what condition my condition is in) and Something’s Burning are some of my favorites!

[@Chrystalsdad]

He was a Vietnam veteran that got paralyzed in the war. He is asking his girl to not go to town to get "love". Don't usually criticize, but kinda wish you had paid a bit more attention to the lyrics. For many of my generation this is some of the pain we still endure

[@anthonygeurtsen7143]

Sorry. Im pretty sure he's talking about the Korean War.

[@vonbass1300]

I think since the song doesn't say what war it was it can be whatever one the listener wants it to be. It just says "that old crazy Asian war." Technically written in 1966, put out in 1967, when the Vietnam war was still going on. Mel Tillis who wrote the song says it's about a WW2 vet, so I guess that's the technical answer.

[@harper_anne2089]

I agree, she wasn't paying attention, just dancin' to the beat for the most part. And then she didn't respond to any of the comments after asking for the breakdown.

[@shirleydurr411]

Listen to the lyrics. It's not hard to figure out what's going on. You've painted up your lips and rolled and curled your tinted hair Ruby, are you contemplating going out somewhere? The shadow on the wall tells me the sun is going down Oh, Ruby Don't take your love to town It wasn't me that started that old crazy Asian war But I was proud to go and do my patriotic chore And yes, it's true that I'm not the man I used to be Oh, Ruby I still need some company It's hard to love a man whose legs are bent and paralyzed And the wants and the needs of a woman of your age, Ruby, I realize But it won't be long I've heard them say until I'm not around Oh, Ruby Don't take your love to town She's leaving now 'cause I just heard the slamming of the door The way I know I've heard it slam one hundred times before And if I could move I'd get my gun and put her in the ground Oh, Ruby Don't take your love to town Oh, Ruby For God's sakes turn around

[@peggykunkel9180]

It is a shame you didn't listen to the 1972 version of this song on the Midnight Special. This version is very hard to hear and a little faster than the original. This was very popular when I was a teenager and Vietnam veterans were coming home with many issues. This song helped you see things from a veteran's perspective.

[@quentenjones3626]

The song was originally sung by Ferlin Husky in the 1950s. The song is actually about a Korean War veteran, and it was a big country hit. Husky's version and the version by the First Edition were especially poignant. They are worth seeing/listening as those two songs were more about the message than the entertainer-singer.

[@MonguSu1952]

The studio version is the way to go and I wish you had reacted to it instead. He's a wounded Vietnam veteran who's now unable to meet the sexual needs of Ruby.

[@deepreteau5652]

The cheering that you wonder about is a result of the fade to drums as she is walking out the door. That part of "Ruby" is MUCH more impactful in a recorded version of the song and without the crowd cheering.

[@hlbjazz]

This was my first Kenny Rogers song.......I always loved it. Especially the verse where the backing all drops out - except for the drums.

[@ArleneAdkinsZell]

Lovely reaction, Kenny was a wonderful artist and will forever be a legend.

[@clydeb7713]

You should have seen this when was young, he had dark hair!!😅😅 It's about a soldier who fought in the Vietnam war and came back a paraplegic. His wife then was not faithful to him.

[@lefty3141591]

Others have explained the song well, so I'll not repeat what they have said. I do wish to say that I appreciate you admitting when a song's meaning escapes you. This is refreshing when compared to those who try to pretend they get it when they don't. Typically those reactors wind up making it worse in the attempt to fake it. Keep up the honest reactions.

[@carefullbob8136]

Thank you Britt , you truly don't care.

[@barbaramiller7955]

if you would listen to the words you would know

[@kendallcarstens9194]

Pull up the lyrics and read them; you'll get the full picture of the story.

[@firemedic154]

Britt, He was singing from the perspective of a Vietnam Vet who returned home disabled and paralyzed. His wife is going to town to party it up while he's stuck at home. If he could, he would get his gun and put her in the ground. But he can't he's paralyzed. Very poor recording of the song. Meanwhile this is my first note to ya. I enjoy watching your reactions and appreciate that you save commentary until after you start listening. Your quick intro into the songs has kept me subscribed. Have a great day and God bless.

[@rodb9275]

I think on this one, you should have done a studio version

[@MrRizzo1961]

The story is based on a true story written by singer song writer Mel Tillis it was a story of someone he new in real life so he wrote a song about it. Mel Tillis had a severe speech studdering voice,but when he would sing he had no speech problems.✌️♥️

[@LindaSmall-vb9ls]

Here's an oldie goldie by Kenny Rodgers & the 5th Edition "What condition by condition was in."

[@donaldstewart8342]

Song was written by Mel Tillis about a Vietnam vet who was paralyzed

[@michaelschneider2244]

play it again and listen to the words. A sad song but a reality of War

[@jonrc72]

Yep. Don't go to war, if you can help it. Stay out of that particular patriotic chore.

[@matthewdooley7855]

Yet another happy-sounding song with a disturbing message. In this case, the live crowd makes it tough, because all of the women there are ready to "take their love to" Kenny Rogers! Kenny is what I call a "Tweener". He crosses or transcends categories. This was from peak Kenny Rogers era - he could basically sing page 47 of the phone book and get a gold record out of it.

[@barryanderson3910]

@matthewdooley7855 "Yet another happy-sounding song with a disturbing message." When I saw this, my mind immediately went to "King of the World" by Steely Dan. They seem to be masters of happy-sounding songs with dark meanings.

[@stevewixom9311]

HI, Many folks think this song is about a Vietnam War vet but it was actually written about a Korean War vet. Due to his wounds he'll be a wheel chair bound vet for the remainder of his life. He's so wanting his wife not to "take her love to town"

[@williammcpeak8800]

I believe Mel Tillis wrote it from a conversation he had with a neighbor who was a Korean war vet.

[@stevewixom9311]

I'd totally forgotten about that. I think your exactly right. thanks@@williammcpeak8800

[@vonbass1300]

Ww2 vet. The interview is on line.

[@susanworkman529]

Back in the 60's, Kenny belonged to a group called The First Edition. They sang this song then and Kenny has sung it ever since he left the group to go solo. Others have commented and told you what the song is about so I won't repeat. You might want to pull up the lyrics findings you react to do you won't question what they are about. Sometimes it's hard to understand the lyrics. Here's one for you that you need to have the lyrics for.....Mack The Knife by Bobby Darin ( video, Ed Sullivan Show). It's a great song, catchy music. A little bit jazzy, but the story is not a happy one. Bobby Darrin had a great voice. Sadly we lost him when he was very young.

[@RonaldSimkin]

You're not LISTENING to the story, it's not that hard. You're missing the words because the tune caught all your free computer power and nothing left to catch the actual words.... He is a paralized war vetern, he loves and needs her, but he can't make love to her the way she wants it, so she is taking her love to town to get what she wants there.... And if he wasn't paralized and she did that, maybe he would employ his gun and stop her.... Meeanwhile he just keeps asking "please...."

[@brendajones1763]

Great explanation of the song but why you have to be so mean like she is stupid and not getting the meaning of the song . So uncalled for.

[@BrianHale-kl7zd]

@@brendajones1763not really.she didn’t even try.

[@nickrizzi4927]

Britt just always love your reactions, and your great fan follwerers have answered every question. So I'll only add this, I love when they ref this song in the great movie ( (if one has a grasp on real life in the era) Nobody's Fool including so many great actors! Neumann and Willis are just great together with supporting cast members!

[@George-fh9zm]

This is a great song that exemplifies what a Vietnam soldier goes through when his body has been marred. His wife is young and selfish and doesn't care about him and the fact that he was told he will soon die. His anger at life and her is why he said he'd get his gun and put her in the ground.

[@pigpen5073]

I wish you could've read the lyrics like you did for "Three Wooden Crosses" I love it when the light bulb comes on lol

[@arkikali5632]

So okay--I came back because this was bugging me. This is meant as constructive criticism, so please take it that way. 🙂 The reason I wish you'd taken a break at some point to look at the lyrics is this: I watch YOUR reactions because I like YOU. I like your outlook and your takes on stuff; I generally respect your opinions even when I don't necessarily agree. If I want to watch someone dance in their chair, there are probably 100 other reactors who do that (at least). And by not thinking "Whoa! I don't get the song--let me look at the lyrics," it basically felt like you phoned it in and took out the unique thing that makes your reactions special. This is a great song, very deep and heartbreaking and a bit dark, and I would have LOVED your take on that. But instead, I got six minutes of watching you clap along to the beat. Which was okay, but that's not what I subscribe to you for. Anyway, I hope that makes sense. I hope you have a blessed day, and thank you for taking the time to entertain us. 🙂

[@janicecopeland817]

Check out his first hit when he was part of Kenny Roger’s and the First Edition… “I just dropped in to see what condition my condition is in” made in early ‘70’s…

[@weslennon3425]

Kenny Rogers and The First Edition were mostly made up of former members of the New Christy Minstrels, anothehrm3ember had ties to Bob Dylan. The album Ruby came out on already had two songs on AM Radio. Radio stations found it hard to quantify their type of music, some was hard rock with a hit called: Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4avgHZjYtaIhas, and if I can find it, still have the 45 RPM was the Song Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town.

[@PapaFixit]

The screaming from the crowd is the PD " Panties Dropped" club. Everytime his voice goes low.

[@manarose1]

my grandma who recently passed away at 100 years old her name was ruby lucille and i always told her he wrote these songs for her!

[@johnpaulbacon8320]

Kenny Rogers has been considered as " Country " for the most part. Kenny Rogers and the First Edition did have a rock feel to them.

[@terryallen345]

This is his Live Aid performance. That is a day that is most definitely worth your time finding out about

[@wcwindom56]

Kenny was lead singer in a rock banc way back known as the 1st Dimension

[@andiross3176]

I love Kenny rogers! His duet with Auntie Dolly (Islands in the stream) is one of my favs. I saw her on a talk show once and she was asked something about Kenny, and she was saying that they were good friends, and he’s a great and Dolly with her usual wit also added that she teased him about having more plastic surgeries than she’s had 😂

[@junebug_tx2305]

I use to sing this to my granddaughter and rock her. My daughter would say, 'quit singing that to my baby!!'

[@toodlescae]

😂

[@michaelbeloff3505]

Having grown up in 1960s during the height of the Vietnam War... I had two brothers that served their country during that conflict, one in Vietnam three times (1963, 1966 and 1968) where he received the bronze star and purple heart, among other awards. I later also served, but not during the Vietnam War...during the cold war as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Like my father before me, we all were honored to serve our country for the greatest nation God put on this earth.

[@KuscosPoison]

A Silver Fox by ALL means. This man was the one that sparked MANY females in my generation to fall head over heals over older men.

[@johnpaulbacon8320]

In the song ; The main character - is a paralyzed war vet , his legs are paralyzed and he is in a wheelchair. Ruby is his Girlfriend and she deicdes that in his condition - he can't give her what she wants , so she decides to leave him and goto town to find a new love. He says : If he could get up , he would get his gun and put her in the ground.

[@smarttvhome335]

You'd mentioned that Kenny Rogers doesn't fit into any genre. He actually started out doing psychedelic rock, believe it or not. He was in a band called Kenny Rogers and the First Edition. Check out their song called "I Just Dropped In to See What Condition My Condition Was In". Check

[@edwardallen9866]

I still ask my kids what condition their condition is in lol, I'm 69 btw.

[@smarttvhome335]

@@edwardallen9866 Lol! That's awesome! Their reaction must be priceless!

[@smarttvhome335]

What's up?

[@LindaSmall-vb9ls]

Kenny Rodgers & the 1st Edition.

[@bradjbourgeois73]

I think was a disabled war veteran. He said if he could move he'd take his gun and put her in the ground. She's going out and cheating on him because the war took his ability away.

[@ShirleyHage]

listen to it again ..

[@middohio3875]

Written by Mel Tillis who said it was in fact written about a disabled WW II vet.

[@jamescole8355]

Kenny!!!!!!!!!

[@rj-vj8gr]

best times for music were the 60 and 70.

[@patpeacock8150]

That was his old rock n roll days

[@George-fh9zm]

I love that the song referred to the men as Gatlins. Just like the Gatlin Brothers.

[@kdogusna77]

Right there with John Prine's "Sam Stone" in describing the effects of war on vets.

[@WolvenHeart1]

You have to heard him in his original psychedelic rock band The First Edition " I Just Dropped In to see what condition my condition was in"

[@carollandrum9223]

This song is from when he was Kenny Rogers and the First Edition. This came out in 1969 I think. That old crazy Asian was is Vietnam

[@randyvalgardson774]

It's about a paralyzed Vietnam vet and his wife is going out every night to "have fun" while he is trapped in his wheelchair. A very relevant song in the late 70's and early 80's when the song was popular.

[@jeffchapman6016]

It's a simple song to comprehend. If you weren't more interested in pausing the song every 2 seconds to listen to yourself talk, then you'd know what it's about.

[@carefullbob8136]

Everyone knows Leroy Brown. Listen to Rapid Roy,Jim Croce. Fast, lyrics,story..1 of my favs

[@boomeister2]

You should listen to the studio version of this song. With concert and live versions it's sometimes hard to understand all the lyrics unless you already know the song.

[@LanceCarlson-j2f]

Your taste for music is above all of us. I think you should react to some fleetwood mac, starting with silver springs. There harmonies and tension in that band are real. And this from a guy who was metal head in the eighties (metallica, pantera, gnr) and over thirty years has slipped into the blues (muddy waters, lighting hopkins, susan tedasci, and definately stevie ray). Most nights I let whitney houston or lee ann rimes put me to sleep with their gospel renditions. I dont think there is anything close in the world, when you hear a soft poweful beautiful voice. Maybe bethoven symphony or a enrico movie score (the good the bad and the ugly, the excasty for gold). Music calms the beast. It is amazing as an American what incredible music this country can produce. (rock, blues, rap,classical, gospel,etc) What a melting pot of cultures we are, and I pray we will continue to be that. God bless

[@robinbyrd3463]

You had me laughing so hard😂 Florence the maid was not Lenny Kravitz mom. Helen the upstairs neighbor was 😊

[@donnysmith946]

It really depends on which song you pick to react to. You have to understand that Kenny started out singing Rock and roll or some might even say it was psychedelic rock, His band was Still called Kenny Rogers and the First Edition and his hit song was "Just Dropped In To See What Condition My Condition Was In", sometime in late 1967 or in 1968, This song was actually released before Kenny made the switch to Country Music. So, you see, depending on the song, you could get any of the Kenny Rogers.... He really didn't jump around because after he went Country, he didn't go back and start singing Rock n Roll songs again. Same is true with Conway Twitty!!!!!!!!

[@shwicaz]

You should check out Kenny Rogers & The First Edition "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)" . Young Kenny. Quite a different sound. If you thought he was the chairman of the PDC before...you ain't seen nothing yet. 😁

[@RubyGB]

You'd know what the song was about if you had listened to the words instead of just bouncing around to the beat... It's NOT an upbeat song but one about the worst type of betrayal of a dying military veteran.

[@jimforbes9119]

Thanks ❗ Kenny Rogers, like a lot of classic, or near classic, country artists established a genre of their own. May I suggest you LISTEN to the WORDS of the song opposes to the artist and the music. What made that song a HIT was the WORDS. We who lived thru the Vietnam war understand!

[@msmilder25]

You should watch Kenny Rogers and the First Edition original performance of the song, before Kenny went solo.

[@jeffmosteller7175]

A ruby stepping out on him

[@mdm54]

he started out in rock in roll in a group called the first edition

[@JANETTE74576]

You need to listen to the studio version. It is slower and much easier to understand.

[@edwardallen9866]

Britt, read Rosiepoo 75's comment. Vietnam did a real number on us. The physical and emotional pain is still here with many of the veterans and their families.

[@FrankUli]

another great group from this time period would be Blood Sweat and Tears

[@pamagnolia]

He is a paralyzed Vietnam vet who doesn’t have long to live and his woman keeps steppin out!!

[@pablosolis2725]

He a war veteran. She goes to town to find love

[@SofiaRodriguez-xv6gr]

Well then you need to listen to “what condition my condition is in” by Kenny Rogers and the first edition literally blow your mind!

[@maggiesteverson9887]

Kenny always delivers on the story songs. She should check out 'Long Arm of the Law'. It's always been one of my favorites *because* of the story aspect.

[@jonisteinbach7240]

You're right. Can't put him in abox. Most of his songs and hits crossed over on the Country and pop charts.

[@maureencollins5177]

Kenny recorded this with The First Edition in 1969 so while Mel Tillis wrote this years before it was clear that "crazy Asian war" was a reference to Vietnam in this version. It's the story of a soldier who comes home paralyzed and watches his wife getting dolled up and going out on the town and leaving him home alone. This version here is a bit too upbeat. Here is one from 1969: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHmqanp_r9F9p5I&ab_channel=CalVid Other First Edition songs: "Just Dropped In to See What Condition My Condition Was in" (Hey, it was the 60s) and "But You Know I Love You".

[@trishafaulk2067]

Kenny did a lot of country, but a lot of what genre depends on when it was, because at one time he sang with a band, and then he went solo. If you listen to the whole song without stopping you might understand the song more, it's a story song like "the Gambler" or "Coward of the county" when you listen to a story song you get confused when you don't listen to it all the way through without interruption. Sometimes you just need to be quiet and listen until the end and then you will get it. The sound on this video wasn't the best, the band was louder than Kenny's mic, and it was like they didn't set the mic up for him.

[@carefullbob8136]

Ya remind me of when I met Brother Ted.( Nugget) babe got every ticket,pass ,I got a big hug ana pick.

[@sandralorenz1796]

He's paralyzed and his wife can't deal with it. Listen to it again and concentrate on what he's singing.

[@mikem8563]

Do kenny when he was in the first edition

[@Jbob37]

about a paralyzed veteran who lies helplessly as his wife "paints up" to go out for the evening without him; he believes that she is going in search of a lover.

[@chuckwilson4186]

Great review !

[@brittreacts]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@EconAdviser]

What a huge hit, along with the Gambler. It touched a nerve somehow. He sang it much slower on the record and less bouncy. He's a injured Vietnam War veteran whose wife is cheating on him. If he weren't paraplegic, he'd shoot her.

[@m0oshie8558]

Just pull up the lyrics, they always help me💖 I get caught up enjoying an artist & the music too!! Kenny is just FINE❣️

[@peelmeone]

This song was written by Kris Kristofferson, a former Army officer.

[@myreviews8099]

I never say this, but you need to hear the studio version. The crowd is too jovial for how tragic the story is.

[@eddie623]

❤❤❤❤❤❤👍

[@liamstaffordd]

you should react to this uk rapper dave - Lesley (lyric video) it's incredible storytelling so i think you'd enjoy reacting to it

[@dennisflury6942]

WE DON'T ALWAYS HAVE OUR A GAME! WAS WAITING FOR YOUR EPIPHANY (LIKE 3 WOOD CROSSES)!! LOL STILL A GOOD REACTION!

[@jasonsmith6795]

Can someone please tell me what PDC is? lol Great reaction to a phenomenal song

[@rickyork7089]

❤❤❤❤🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@llschnitz]

This is a very exciting performance with lots of clapping and celebration. Check out the original live version done about fifteen years earlier, where Kenny looks like a Hippie. Its a somber song about a paralyzed Vietnam Vet whose girl is cheating on him. Not a happy song at all, although this live version that you picked makes it sound joyful.

[@cynthiajamison4006]

I think everyone has explained the back story to this song, and I agree that there are better videos of him performing the song. This song was written by the great Mel Tillis in the mid sixties and recorded by several artists before Kenny Rogers recorded it in 1969. He also re-recorded a bunch of his hits in 1977 and made an album, which included this song... I would listen to of those two versions. The sound quality in the music would be a lot better.❤

[@donnysmith946]

FIRST Recorded by Mel Tillis

[@ivansavoie3190]

You need to check out Kenny Rogers and the First Edition version, also Rueben James

[@wesleyjoeowenssr8542]

He was in a war Lost his legs and now she is cheating on him and he wants her to just be there till he dies love you

[@TheRogerdeterding]

Should catch Somewhere Other than The Night

[@vonbass1300]

I think the comment section has given the basic story, Veteran gets hurt in the war and is paralyzed in a wheelchair. His wife cheating. And he says if he could move he would get his gun and put her in the ground. That's it. The only thing the comment section keeps getting wrong is something the song doesn't tell us, and that's which war he is a Veteran of. The song just says, "that old crazy Asian war." And since it came out in 1967, a lot of people think it's the Vietnam war. But, that war was still going on, so it's not an "Old Asian war." Some think its the Korean war, its not. You can actually look up the interview with the writer Mel Tillis who says it's about a WW2 Veteran. So World War 2 is the Answer to the question that No one asked. :)

[@davidkettell6236]

Read the lyrics Britt , this must be the worst recording ever the band ist rying to drown out the vocals

[@greg2976]

YES!

[@kristaransbottom6765]

You need to listen to this song without it being a live or concert version. You will understand it more.

[@afterhours21711]

Since you have discovered Norm MacDonald you need to check out the bit where he's on the Adam carolla show. They are analyzing this song and Coward of the County and it is hilarious. No disrespect to Kenny, they are just having fun with it

[@jamesbogacki4453]

I heard this was about a Korean War Veteran paralyzed. I thought it was Vietman .He would put her in the ground if could move faster