. . . To See What Condition My Condition Was In (yeah, yeah, oh yeah)
It's sad news that Kenny Rogers died a few weeks ago. Like many, I was a fan right from his days as lead singer for The First Edition with its evolving rock/folk/country sound, through to his even more successful solo career as a country singer.
Here's Kenny Rogers' first big hit with The First Edition in the late 1960s when he was almost unrecognizably young, hairy and handsome. Now considered to be an early classic of psychedelic rock, it's also a classic cautionary description of drug addiction.
This song went on to even greater heights as the musical backdrop for the drug-fueled dream sequence "Gutterballs" found in the cult classic movie The Big Lebowski (1998). This surreal dream sequence has it ALL -- bad visual double entendres, bowling, a valkyrie, a fabulous Busby Berkeley-esque dance sequence, and (best of all in my opinion) the hilariously exuberant, but completely atrocious, dance routine of Jeff Bridges as The Dude.
Please pardon me, but in the true spirit of over-the-top Lebowski excess, here's a third version of the song that I simply must include in this post. I found it while looking for the other two. It's a great cover version done recently in a more folksy-bluesy-country style by a band called Front Country. As you can see, they perform it while dressed as the main characters from The Big Lebowski, LOL! Their lead singer, Melody Walker, does a superb job -- it's definitely worth a listen!
And this concludes our musical interlude for today!
46 comments:
Hey Deb, I like Julianne Moore so much, saw her read an excerpt from The Big Lebowski while she was a guest on Billy On The Street. She's so talented, it's crazy. And that show was so much fun! ^.^
Good morning. I was a big Kenny Rogers but I had NO idea about this rocker pre-country, Kenny!
I do love that cover of it; how fun is that band?
Methinks me will skippity skip everything and anything Big Lebowski :)
SHAKE DAT ASS, JEFF!
Wow, Front Country, a classic very well done.
That was all just a little too mind-blowy for 7:40 a.m. Have to admit I've not seen the movie (I know...) I did like Kenny Rogers, though. He had a certain quality of voice. -Jenn
Nice ear worm music:)
Hello Debra, I think that this is the first time I have heard Kenny Rogers sing, but I was aware of his reputation. It is always too bad to have to say goodbye to an icon like that.
--Jim
Kenny Rogers and now today, John Prine
There is a local DJ on the radio here that just loved Kenny also. He was devastated when Kenny passed.
Dang. I can't get the sound to work on the desktop. But yeah, he is super duper young looking. Here's to a fun day ahead, Debra. Cheers!
i love the front country version!
I've been in lockdown so long I forgot about Kenny.
I did so love that song.
RIP
Psychedelic rock...oh, the memories...I can almost smell the pot...pass that joint.
When the smoke clears mayhaps I'll know what condition my condition is in - perhaps not.
the Ol'Buzzard
Just yesterday I was listening to a lot of Kenny Rodgers songs. Always reminds me of being home. Today it's more a Gogi Grant day.
His voice always brings me to a happy place. I think what really bum's me out about the whole thing is he did not get a proper send-off thanks to the COVID. The night he passed we all sat in the living room singing along to his songs yet even my youngest new some of his work.
Not a Lebowski fan, but a YUGE fan of Kenny Rogers' First Edition... my fave tune was 'Something's Burning'. The version of 'Just Dropped In' by Front Country is just brilliant, gonna steal that one to post because my peeps will ROTF. Thank you!!!!
Love that song. I always imagined it sung faster than Kenny did it. Great memories though!
That was fun! And I like the last version best!
I've never heard of Front Country, but I'm not surprised. The Big Lebowski inspires so many hardcore fan crossovers it's wild.
I've loved Kenny Rogers since way back in his First Edition Days (I was young) and I'm with Oblio, Something's Burning is my favorite. I've never seen this movie. I tried, but just couldn't get into it.
Just have to love that last version, lol!
I actually like that Front Country version but the original has stood the test of time. Great selection... yet again. (I might have to watch The Big Lebowski.)
All of this information was new to me LOL. I may have to see if any of my streaming services has The Big Lebowski.
a favorite song of mine. That song was so very different than his country style stuff he did later. A good singer can sing anything.
Kenny Rogers was such a big figure in country!
I remember him for his duets with Dolly, though because I don’t listen to a lot of country, just the cute men. Or Shania. Or Fanny Hill.
That last version is quite interesting, actually.
XoXo
I've never seen the movie. And from the last time you mentioned it, I checked on Netflix, Prime, and Hulu. They don't have it either. But then I found out my SIL has a copy. So after the pandemic is over I might get to see it.
What were you eating this morning Deb? LOL! I have never even heard of that song of Kenny Rogers! The Big Lebowski?? What can I say? LOL! But, I did love Jeff Bridges dance routine! The Front Country did an excellent job!
The Big Lebowski was such a great film. I do like the original version of the song best though. But it is all cool stuff.
I enjoyed this so much. I too was a big fan from the beginning. Look forward to your next post. They are all so interesting. Be Safe and Elbow Hugs.
The dude eternally abides
I don't remember that Kenny Rogers was with 1st edition..Interesting post Deb...Thanks..
Kenny Rogers has some really good tunes. And a very unique voice.
Kenny was the surprise out of that group!
These are extremely fun.
Geeze, I didn't even know this song was Kenny's. I just associate him with Gambler. (That's the condition of my music "knowledge.") Such a rich history. I love/d Kenny Rodgers.
Thanks, Debra.
I never listened to Kenny Rogers. Will check these videos tomorrow.
Totally surprised me! Kenny Rogers, as a baby/kid! Excellent.
A little known fact about that video. As were the usual norm for shows of that day, the band often lip synched/play synched to the song. They were the first (and probably only) band to actually play and sing live. Additionally, the drummer (whose name sadly escapes me at the moment) also became a well known session drummer and well known character actor, who appeared in such shows as MASH and Home Improvement.
Great share. I forgot all about this song and Kenny being with the First Edition. The song is one of my all-time favorites and I think Melody and the Gang did an excellent job. Got the vibe totally right.
Thank you for introducing me to this wonderful group. I love all their music.
Sometimes dropping in to see what condition my condition was in is hard lately. I Love that Song BTW... Kenny did have a long Career and left us with great Music! I know you will Gasp, but I have yet to see that Movie and I so want to... but we hardly ever rent Videos, I can't recall the last time we did and I don't know that it's ever been on TV that I recall? I know it will be one I would Love and could probably watch more than once.
LOVE that song!!! Loved Kenny Rogers too...
Stay safe...stay home...💛
Cheers!
Linda :o)
Great clips! Kenny Rogers is certainly a legend! You know a song is great when it gets covered by various artists. The Great Lebowski is a fantastic classic!
i liked the first one more
though all are fun to watch :)
Yikes! I didn't realize I had fallen this far behind on your posts, Debra! I loved this song when it first came out and still do. Kenny Rogers was special.
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