Kenny Rogers - Grey Beard Lyrics

Does this song have written lyrics?

Solid closing to the "Share Your Love" album. But as I mentioned in my LP review on the AllMusic site, there should have been an extended instrumental ending as opposed to a cold ending that unfairly makes this song end too abruptly. It's just too good to allow it to be less than 3 minutes long.

@shyman99  shyman99  you're the one acting as if Kenny Rogers needs to take pointers from far less successful artists on how to make a song.

You mention balance and structure being important for all performances. You are the one who brought those factors into it. Then you tried to call the ending of "blaze of glory" nonsense.

For starters. Kenny Rogers has moved effortlessly from do wop, to jazz, to pop, rock, disco, soul and country, having his greatest successes mainly with love ballads and story songs in a career that started in the 1950s, and saw many twists and turns, yet saw him last and become one of the worlds most beloved entertainers of all-time. He certainly knows his audience and the point is he has a very large audience.

The man whose legacy includes such globally successful story songs such as "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town", "Reuben James", "Lucille", "The Gambler", "Coward of the county", and countless others, all of which have so called sudden endings and little to no non vocal instrumentation like "Blaze of glory" and "Gray Beard" needs not pick up pointers on how to please the record buying public from other artists such as Charlie Daniels who the vast majority of people would struggle to name more than two of their songs. It's like suggesting Simon & Garfunkel should take pointers from Zager & Evans. What you've said is complete nonsense.

Furthermore if you think Rogers songs have sudden endings merley because he fails to bung in unnecessary instrumentation to ended running times, I guess you've never really heard a song with a sudden ending. "I want you (she's so heavy)" by The Beatles is one. Not "Grey Beard" or "Blaze of glory" by Kenny Rogers which end after planned choruses.

@Rob Hollywood - You just don't get it. I am a fan of Kenny Rogers. We go back to the 60's. But I also analyze music structure, arrangements, production, and everything else that molds a recording. I love "Grey Beard", but the song deserved a better ending. It sounds like an ending you would hear in a commercial jingle or a TV show theme. It's cheap and unimaginative method to end a song. That does not degrade Kenny's talent or career at all. Lionel Richie and Kenny may have been in a hurry to complete the song for numerous possible reasons. Lionel was a very busy man at the time. Ironically you mention the Beatles and I have found fault with some of their recordings as well. Yet I love the Beatles. In my case love is not deaf. I have discovered that is a rare trait because fans get into a defensive mode like I am attacking a family member and don't even attempt to understand what I am saying. Yet I have a higher regard for these artists than many of these overzealous fans. I dig deep into album cuts. Many Kenny fans don't even know this song. Most music critics would state I overrated this song and album. So your replies are just over the top. And just an FYI that the example you used by the Beatles has a lengthy instrumental ending. The psychedelic, drug induced instrumental jam was amazing and cold ending added for effect. Very bizarre comparison. I would have used "Ode To Billie Jo" to try to make your point. But I bet you might guess why that worked so well for that particular song.

@shyman99 my response is not over jealous. Your views and analysis are not those of someone who is more expert. You have not delved any deeper into the music than me. To suggest you have is what is a ridiculous response. I have stated my opnions, views and anaylsis of varied music and my preferences just like you. And like you I have a right to do so in a public forum. I hold the view that Grey Beard, much like Ruby, don't take your love to town , and other great Rogers songs, benefits from it's arrangment and strung out instrumentation is not required. Indeed Kenny's greatness owes much to his simple yet refined approach to studio albums, rather than spending months and months conplexing arrangements. And to state I want you by the Beatles has a sudden ending and Grey Beard dosen't is far from odd. It's just a fact.

@Rob Hollywood - Where did you pick up "over jealous"? Did you misread the word "overzealous"? And FYI, "Ruby" does have an instrumental ending that fades. I hope to someday have time to remix "Grey Beard" since I cringe at the end. I think I have the pieces I need to give it a proper sendoff. Might even send it to Kenny to see what he thinks. Knowing Kenny, I bet he would enjoy it and not get defensive. Lighten up.

@shyman99 it's called a typo. I'm not the one who is full of myself that thinks their views and anaylsis of music are superior to all else, and get so uptight when others don't agree I have to say they aren't "getting it." Ruby ends no less abruptly than Grey Beard, one fades out, one allows the note to close.

Oh, and I highly doubt Kenny Rogers will have any interest in hearing your ideas on how you think he can improve one of his album tracks from 1981. I'm sure he's got a life & other concerns much bigger.

THANKS KENNY ROGERS; TO REMIND ME THIS VERY SONG GRAY BEARD. SECONDLY FOR TECHNOLOGY OF WHICH GIVES GOOGLE POSSIBILITIES TO PROVIDE THE WORLD WITH THEIR DESIRE.

THANKS KENNY ROGERS FOR GREY BEARD
THANKS GOOGLE AND YOUTUBE FOR MAKING IT EASY TO GET THINGS WHICH WE USE TO LISTEN TO WHEN YOUTH THAN WINDOWS FOR CAUSING LIGHT TO SHINE IN THE BLACK CONTINENT

This song is the dogs bollocks!

This is my absolute most favorite of his songs!!!! I love it!! Thank you for sharing it!