... Throughout the 1950s, Laine enjoyed a second career singing the title songs of Hollywood films and television shows, including: Gunfight At OK Corral, 3:10 To Yuma, Bullwhip, and Rawhide. His rendition of the title song for Mel Brooks' 1974 movie Blazing Saddles won an Oscar nomination for Best Song, and his recording of "Rawhide" for the television series of the same name has become a classic of the genre.
Moonlight
Frankie Laine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can gamble for gold
The stakes may be heavy or small
But if you haven't gambled for love and lost
Then you haven't gambled at all
They call me the moonlight gambler
I've gambled for love and lost
Oh, what heartaches it can cost me
Win or lose, I'm a moonlight gambler
And a winner is what I long to be
So I'll gamble for love just as long as I live
'Til the day Lady Luck smiles at me
You can gamble for match sticks
You can gamble for gold
The stakes may be heavy or small
But if you haven't gambled for love and lost
Then you haven't gambled at all
No, if you haven't gambled for love in the moonlight
Then you haven't gambled at all
So I'll gamble for love just as long as I live
'Til the day Lady Luck smiles at me
They call me the moonlight gambler
They call me the moonlight gambler
The lyrics to Frankie Laine's song Moonlight are a reflection on the universal experience of taking risks for love. The opening lines establish the idea that gambling comes in many forms, including betting small or large amounts of money, but that the true test of bravery is risking your heart. The singer asserts that if you haven't gambled for love and lost, then you haven't truly lived.
The chorus centers around the repeated image of being a "moonlight gambler." This phrase conjures up a romanticized view of gambling under the stars, suggesting that love can be compared to the beauty of a moonlit night. Although the singer claims to have lost in love, he remains a gambler at heart, hoping to someday win the ultimate prize. The repetition of the closing lines, "They call me the moonlight gambler," adds a sense of defiance and determination.
Overall, Moonlight presents love as a high-stakes game of chance, where the rewards can be great but the risks can be enormous. The song is a poignant reminder that even when we lose in love, it's better to have taken that gamble than to have never tried at all.
Line by Line Meaning
You can gamble for match sticks, you can gamble for gold
You can take chances in life for things big or small
The stakes may be heavy or small
The potential risks or rewards can be significant or minor
But if you haven't gambled for love and lost, you haven't gambled at all
If you haven't taken a risk for love, and experienced the potentially tragic consequences, then you haven't really taken a risk in life at all
They call me a moonlight gambler
I'm known as someone who takes risks, especially at night
I've gambled for love and lost
I've taken chances in relationships, and suffered the consequences
When I gamble for love and it isn't in the cards
When I try to pursue a romantic interest, but it doesn't work out
Oh, what heartaches it can cost me
The emotional pain and disappointment can be significant
Win or lose, I'm a moonlight gambler
Regardless of the outcome, I'm someone who takes risks
And a winner is what I long to be
I hope to be successful and achieve my goals
So I'll gamble for love just as long as I live
I'll always be willing to take risks in matters of the heart
Till the day Lady Luck smiles at me
Until I finally experience success and good fortune in love
No, if you haven't gambled for love in the moonlight
You haven't truly taken a risk in a romantic pursuit
Then you haven't gambled at all
Without taking chances in love, you haven't really taken chances in life
They call me the moonlight gambler
Once again, I'm known to be someone who takes risks at night
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, TAMIR MUSIC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Philip Springer, Bob Hilliard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@koniroseroyval5278
I will be 70 soon. My Father played music, even though the night... so soft. He said he did not want his children to need quiet in order to sleep. From the classics to jazz and whatever was new. I slept to the best and most wonderful music. Thanks Daddy
@davidwalsh3439
Simply great music by one of the all-time greats
@RonWylie-gk5lc
When I was a kid my Dad came back from the pub with an armful of old 78 records someone had given him, among these were many Frankie Laine classics, this wonderful song, cool water, Jezebel, High Noon and Answer Me and many others, I was spellbound. I was 10 then and now 68 I have been a fan ever since.
@krank8385
I was 11 in 1956, i asked my mum to buy it for me, it was my first ever record, brings back a lot of memories
@larryhillman5787
I remember listening to this on the radio while eating breakfast before catching the bus to elementary school in the 50s. My Mom always liked to listen to music early in the morning and the radio was always on while my sister and I were getting ready for school. This was one of my favorites. Frankie was very cool.
@user-er5og7ds6v
Talented man, great singer
@scotsman6712
My Dad was a DJ- called himself the Moonlight Gambler. Played this along with lots of his favorite songs at his viewing.we had "Moonlight Gambler" put on his marker .
@clendenenjames8804
Being old and full of years, this is one of. first songs I remember, but I know that my time on this earth is over no looking back for me
@christinec.6685
This man had a real voice: beautiful color, fantastic intonation, great diction. I'm amazed his name doesn't ring out more.
@richardhopp8378
The was released the year I was born. Have been a Frankie Laine (Francesco Paolo LoVecchio) fan my entire life ... Never tire of his voice and art. Thank You for posting!!!