"Love Will Turn You Around" by Kenny Rogers

Song#:  1091
Date:  07/03/1982
Debut:  55
Peak:  13
Weeks:  17
Genre:  Country Crossover, Soundtrack



Pop Bits:  Rogers was a major star when the 80s started and along the way he dabbled in acting, which included two successful TV movies based on his #1 country songs "The Gambler" (#16 pop, 1978) and "Coward of the County" (#3 pop, 1979). So why not try to lead a major motion picture? His attempt was the film "Six Pack," a NASCAR-themed comedy/drama where a single (non-singing) Rogers befriends a small bunch of orphans, finds the right girlfriend, and finally succeeds at racing. Critically, it was met with a lot of "eh's" and the public basically agreed with the film only grossing $20 million. However, it seemed the movies were not the place for Rogers and it became his only film credit. He continued to make TV movies though and would star in three sequels to "The Gambler." This song served as the theme to "Six Pack" and was the title track to his latest album. It reached #1 at country and AC while just missing out on the pop Top 10. It would also earn him a Grammy nod for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male.

ReduxReview:  Yeah, it was probably smart he mainly stayed with singing. He did well with "The Gambler" movies, but "Six Pack" revealed he was not going to be a major thespian anytime soon. At least the movie gave us a good theme song. The relaxed country vibe and Rogers subdued performance makes it one of his better singles from the 80s.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Although "Six Pack" wasn't a hit film, someone thought it a good idea to make a TV show out of it. A pilot was made in 1983 that starred a pre-"Miami Vice" Don Johnson in the Rogers role and Markie Post as his girlfriend. Among the cast of kids was a young Joaquin Phoenix who at the time was going by the name Leaf Phoenix.

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