The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
In a bar in Toledo across from the depot
On a barstool, she took off her ring
I thought I'd get closer so I walked on over
I sat down and asked her name
When the drinks finally hit her she said, I'm no quitter
But I finally quit livin' on dreams
I'm hungry for laughter and here ever after
I'm after whatever the other life brings
In the mirror, I saw him and I closely watched him
I thought how he looked out of place
He came to the woman who sat there beside me
He had a strange look on his face
The big hands were calloused, he looked like a mountain
For a minute I thought I was dead
But he started shaking, his big heart was breaking
He turned to the woman and said
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille
With four hungry children and a crop in the field
I've had some bad times, lived through some sad times
But this time your hurting won't heal
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille
After he left us, I ordered more whiskey
I thought how she'd made him look small
From the lights of the barroom
To a rented hotel room
We walked without talking at all
She was a beauty but when she came to me
She must have thought I'd lost my mind
I couldn't hold her 'cause the words that he told her
Kept coming back time after time
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille
With four hungry children and a crop in the field
I've had some bad times, lived through some sad times
But this time your hurting won't heal
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille
With four hungry children and a crop in the field
I've had some bad times, lived through some sad times
But this time your hurting won't heal
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille
On a barstool, she took off her ring
I thought I'd get closer so I walked on over
I sat down and asked her name
When the drinks finally hit her she said, I'm no quitter
But I finally quit livin' on dreams
I'm hungry for laughter and here ever after
I'm after whatever the other life brings
In the mirror, I saw him and I closely watched him
I thought how he looked out of place
He came to the woman who sat there beside me
He had a strange look on his face
The big hands were calloused, he looked like a mountain
For a minute I thought I was dead
But he started shaking, his big heart was breaking
He turned to the woman and said
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille
With four hungry children and a crop in the field
I've had some bad times, lived through some sad times
But this time your hurting won't heal
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille
After he left us, I ordered more whiskey
I thought how she'd made him look small
From the lights of the barroom
To a rented hotel room
We walked without talking at all
She was a beauty but when she came to me
She must have thought I'd lost my mind
I couldn't hold her 'cause the words that he told her
Kept coming back time after time
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille
With four hungry children and a crop in the field
I've had some bad times, lived through some sad times
But this time your hurting won't heal
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille
With four hungry children and a crop in the field
I've had some bad times, lived through some sad times
But this time your hurting won't heal
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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My Interpretation:
So the person narrating the song is in a bar & sees a good looking woman who takes off her wedding ring, so he takes the opportunity to chat her up. She says that she is fed up with her life & wants some excitement. Meanwhile a huge man comes up & addresses the woman (Lucille), "You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille" Lucille had left this man at a bad time in his life (at some previous time I should imagine). The man then leaves the situation but it is obvious he was broken. The narrator then carries on with his pursuit of the woman & proceeds to a hotel room with the Lucille to spend the night with her. but the narrator's conscience is bothering him that this woman is deliberately cheating & being cruel & unfaithful to her partner, this taints the situation & he can't go through with it. It appears to me as though the narrator can't do to another man what he wouldn't want to happen to himself
Don't know if other places do this but in Ohio State bars when he sings the line "You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille"... the entire bar yells "slut, bitch, fucking whore" or something like that. Rather funny
@defunct <br /> NOW that we know how the boors and red-necks behave I'm proud to stay that I live in a country where - above all else - politeness, inoffensiveness and good manners prevail. I choose HERE, thank-you. ( MY country also controls guns. I'm doubting about yours, sir or ma'am.)
although its now like something i'm doin, why bother commentin if you're only gonna run down the singer or the song. grow up. great song, full of emotion. could be based on sum kinda experience in Kenny's like but den again maybe not like.
This is one of the greatest country songs ever written. Hal Bynum wrote this masterpeice, and Kenny Rogers elevated into a classic. As the 1977 CMA Song of the year, this hit topped the country charts for several weeks.
This song was popular when I was a little kid. I'm 40 now. I always thought he said, "You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille, 400 children and a crop in the field." It's "4 hungry children". I just thought he was exaggerating to make a point.
Best line from the song. The protagonist realizes that if she can do that to a man she married, that speaks volumes about the kind of person she is. Once a tramp, always a tramp! He uses his rational mind to override his emotions and stop himself from being seduced by her sex appeal.
@Karakalpak Misogynistic comment about a misogynistic song. Yeah, she alone is bad and nasty. All good in her life, the ungrateful bitch. Please.
Don't know if other places do this but in Ohio State bars when he sings the line "You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille"... the entire bar yells "slut, bitch, fucking whore" or something like that. Rather funny
@defunct It's YOU BITCH!!!! YOU SLUT!!!!! YOU WHORE!!!!
i wonder how many time good ol' kenny got laid after singing this song? probably about as many times as i went to his restaurant.. bout 3 times....
this song is clearly Kenny Roger's outlet of his cloaked homosexual tendencies...
"in the mirror i saw him and i closely watched him"?? c'mon! he obviously sees something he likes in the man...
@nunoo767 Really??<br /> Then, definitely you kindoff an homosexual being...<br /> You shouldn't even think this far!!!<br /> He meant well if I may say<br />