Shredding the Cards: Great Rock Songs about Gambling
Throughout the years, gambling has become more and more a part of our culture, in part due to the success of casino themes in the entertainment industry, especially in movies like Ocean’s 11 and Rounders, which delve into the specific thrill of games of chance. Gambling has always been a favoured theme by many musicians as well, and that couldn’t be different with rock and roll acts. Since many rock stars are avid fans of all the action involved in gambling, casinos and card games have been present in rock lyrics since the early days of Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry.
Even though some of these songs take on the negative sides of gambling, classics like The King’s “Viva Las Vegas” are somewhat of an ode to one of the favourite pastime activities in the world. So the next time you’re on a trip to Vegas or playing at one of the websites reviewed by CasinoHelp, remember to put these records on before dealing out the cards to get in the thrilling vibe of casino action.
“Diamond Jack”, by Wishbone Ash
To begin our list, a song that is perfect to listen to when playing a high-stakes game of poker or a high-rollers table of baccarat. The song is all about the thrilling feel we get when gambling and is the type of song that sticks with you. Evoking the “ace of hearts” and mentioning the “black magical lady luck”, “Diamond Jack” is almost a prayer for good fortune and luck. So whether you like to gamble, or just want to listen to a great rock song about it, “Diamond Jack” is a great choice.
Written and composed by Martin Turner, Andy Powell, Laurie Wisefield, and Steve Upton, the song was released in 1977 in Wishbone Ash’s eighth studio album “Front Page News”, which peaked at No. 31 on the UK Albums Chart.
“The Jack”, by AC/DC
AC/DC’s “The Jack” is a song over-charged with innuendos, and its live renditions are quite voluptuous and suggest all sorts of carnal pleasures. The fact is that it’s not just a song about a game of poker, as the lyrics are full of metaphors, comparing the game with the courtship of a lady who has dealt the singer “the Queen and the King”, while “her deuce was wild, but my ace was high”. Just like many AC/DC songs, the lyrics are quite naughty.
“The Jack” was written and composed by Angus Young, Malcolm Young, and Bon Scott and was released with their second studio album, “T.N.T.”, in December 1975. The album is regarded as a breakthrough for AC/DC, as it marked their definitive transition into the blue-collar hard rock that would be their trademark.
“Rambling, Gambling Willie”, by Bob Dylan
Certainly the greatest storyteller in music, Bob Dylan wrote some of the most beautiful lyrics in the history of rock and roll. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be the first musician to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. In “Rambling, Gambling Willie”, Dylan tells the story of a gambler hero, Willie, who is the greatest gambler of all and will have a shot at pretty much anything, from hitting the tables at the Jackson River Queen to gambling in the White House. “Roll, Willie, roll”
The song was recorded during the sessions for Dylan’s second studio album “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” but was only released in 1991 on Columbia’s box set “The Bootleg Series Volumes 1-3”, a bootleg series comprising rarities and unreleased works.
“Viva Las Vegas”, by Elvis Presley
The King couldn’t be left out of this list, and “Viva Las Vegas” is certainly one of his most iconic songs. Glorifying the city he loved and describing the raw action of Vegas’ nightlife, with all the casinos, clubs, pretty women, and money to burn, Elvis created a masterpiece that continues to echo through the decades.
The song was written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman for Elvis’ film of the same name and was released as a single in 1964. “Viva Las Vegas” was certified gold in 1992, having sold 500,000 copies in the United States, but curiously, Elvis never sang the song live.
“Ace of Spades”, by Motörhead
“If you like to gamble, I tell you I’m your man. You win some, lose some, it’s all the same to me”. With these words, Lemmy opens one of the most iconic songs in the history of rock and roll. “Ace of Spades”, the title track on Motörhead’s fourth studio album, perfectly depicts the thrill of gambling, inviting you directly into the shoes of a gambler.
Written by Lemmy himself, the song is an ode to gambling and risking everything for the thrill of the game, as he sings, “The pleasure is to play, makes no difference what you say”. Whether you’re playing poker or blackjack, at home or a land-based casino, “Ace of Spades” is undoubtedly the best choice to lift your spirits. “And don’t forget the joker”.
