Eighties Archive Song Number
Highest Chart Position
Date Released
Date Of UK Top 40 Entry
Genre
Label
Catalogue Number
Story Behind The Song
Few country songs tell a story as vividly as Kenny Rogers’ “Coward Of The County”. Released in 1980, the song was written by Roger Bowling and Billy Joe Walker Jr. and became one of Rogers’ most memorable narrative recordings. Rather than concentrating on romance, it unfolds like a short story, following Tommy, a young man who has promised his dying father that he will never respond to violence with violence.
Tommy is mocked by the people around him and labelled a coward because he refuses to fight, believing that there is more courage in walking away than proving yourself through aggression. His outlook is challenged when his girlfriend Becky is attacked by three men known as the Gatlin Boys. Faced with a deeply personal betrayal, Tommy finally reaches the limit of his patience.
Rogers delivers the song with a restrained, conversational vocal that allows the story to remain at the centre of the recording. The arrangement gradually builds the tension, particularly as Tommy’s decision becomes inevitable. The closing confrontation gives the song its dramatic climax, while leaving listeners to consider whether Tommy has abandoned his father’s lesson or interpreted it in his own way.
“Coward Of The County” became closely associated with Rogers’ storytelling style, demonstrating how country music could combine memorable melodies with character, conflict and a compelling narrative.
The song peaked at No. 01 in the UK singles chart on 6th February 1980.
UK 7'' SLEEVE COVERS
Shown below are the picture sleeve covers (front and back) for the UK release of this single. If no cover sleeve was issued in the UK, we will display another country’s picture sleeve.
UK 7'' TRACK LISTING
| A-Side | Coward Of The County (4:18) (Bowling, Wheeler) Produced By Larry Butler |
| B-Side | I Want To Make You Smile (3:19) (Medley) Produced By Larry Butler |
CHART PERFORMANCE
| UK Top 40 Chart Run [18 Weeks] – 26th January 1980 – 29th March 1980 |
OFFICIALLY RELEASED VERSIONS
All officially released versions that appeared in the 80s:-
- Coward Of The County (Single Version) (4:18)
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OFFICIAL VIDEO
SONG LYRICS
Everyone considered him the coward of the county
He’d never stood one single time to prove the county wrong
His mama named him Tommy, but folks just called him yellow
Something always told me they were reading Tommy wrong
He was only ten years old when his daddy died in prison
I looked after Tommy ’cause he was my brother’s son
I still recall the final words my brother said to Tommy
“Son, my life is over, but yours has just begun”
Promise me, son, not to do the things I’ve done
Walk away from trouble if you can
Now it don’t mean you’re weak if you turn the other cheek
I hope you’re old enough to understand
Son, you don’t have to fight to be a man
There’s someone for everyone, and Tommy’s love was Becky
In her arms he didn’t have to prove he was a man
One day while he was working, the Gatlin boys came calling
They took turns at Becky, n’there was three of them
Tommy opened up the door and saw his Becky crying
The torn dress, the shattered look was more than he could stand
He reached above the fireplace, took down his daddy’s picture
As a tear fell on his daddy’s face, he heard these words again
Promise me, son, not to do the things I’ve done
Walk away from trouble if you can
Now it won’t mean you’re weak if you turn the other cheek
I hope you’re old enough to understand
Son, you don’t have to fight to be a man
The Gatlin boys just laughed at him
When he walked into the barroom
One of them got up and met him half way cross the floor
Tommy turned around they said, “Hey look, old yella’s leavin’”
But you could’ve heard a pin drop
When Tommy stopped and locked the door
Twenty years of crawling was bottled up inside him
He wasn’t holding nothing back, he let ’em have it all
When Tommy left the bar room, not a Gatlin boy was standing
He said, “This one’s for Becky” as he watched the last one fall
N’ I heard him say
I promised you, Dad, not to do the things you’ve done
I walk away from trouble when I can
Now please don’t think I’m weak, I didn’t turn the other cheek
And Papa, I sure hope you understand
Sometimes you gotta fight when you’re a man
Everyone considered him the coward of the county
Written By Bowling, Wheeler
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