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 Oceanās 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 couldnāt 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 Kingās āViva Las Vegasā are somewhat of an ode to one of the favourite pastime activities in the world. So the next time youāre 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.
āDiamond Jackā, 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 āace of heartsā and mentioning the āblack magical lady luckā, āDiamond Jackā 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, āDiamond Jackā 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 Ashās eighth studio album āFront Page Newsā, which peaked at No. 31 on the UK Albums Chart.
āThe Jackā, by AC/DC
AC/DCās āThe Jackā 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 itās 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 āthe Queen and the Kingā, while āher deuce was wild, but my ace was highā. Just like many AC/DC songs, the lyrics are quite naughty.
āThe Jackā was written and composed by Angus Young, Malcolm Young, and Bon Scott and was released with their second studio album, āT.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.
āRambling, Gambling Willieā, 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 wouldnāt be the first musician to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. In āRambling, Gambling Willieā, 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. āRoll, Willie, rollā
The song was recorded during the sessions for Dylanās second studio album āThe Freewheelinā Bob Dylanā but was only released in 1991 on Columbiaās box set āThe Bootleg Series Volumes 1-3ā, a bootleg series comprising rarities and unreleased works.
āViva Las Vegasā, by Elvis Presley
The King couldnāt be left out of this list, and āViva Las Vegasā is certainly one of his most iconic songs. Glorifying the city he loved and describing the raw action of Vegasā 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 Elvisā film of the same nameĀ and was released as a single in 1964. āViva Las Vegasā was certified gold in 1992, having sold 500,000 copies in the United States, but curiously, Elvis never sang the song live.
āAce of Spadesā, by Motƶrhead
āIf you like to gamble, I tell you Iām your man. You win some, lose some, itās all the same to meā. With these words, Lemmy opens one of the most iconic songs in the history of rock and roll. āAce of Spadesā, the title track on Motƶrheadās 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, āThe pleasure is to play, makes no difference what you sayā. Whether youāre playing poker or blackjack, at home or a land-based casino, āAce of Spadesā is undoubtedly the best choice to lift your spirits. āAnd donāt forget the jokerā.
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Shredding the Cards: Great Rock Songs about Gambling
By thereviewsarein
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 Oceanās 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 couldnāt 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 Kingās āViva Las Vegasā are somewhat of an ode to one of the favourite pastime activities in the world. So the next time youāre 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.
āDiamond Jackā, 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 āace of heartsā and mentioning the āblack magical lady luckā, āDiamond Jackā 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, āDiamond Jackā 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 Ashās eighth studio album āFront Page Newsā, which peaked at No. 31 on the UK Albums Chart.
āThe Jackā, by AC/DC
AC/DCās āThe Jackā 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 itās 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 āthe Queen and the Kingā, while āher deuce was wild, but my ace was highā. Just like many AC/DC songs, the lyrics are quite naughty.
āThe Jackā was written and composed by Angus Young, Malcolm Young, and Bon Scott and was released with their second studio album, āT.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.
āRambling, Gambling Willieā, 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 wouldnāt be the first musician to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. In āRambling, Gambling Willieā, 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. āRoll, Willie, rollā
The song was recorded during the sessions for Dylanās second studio album āThe Freewheelinā Bob Dylanā but was only released in 1991 on Columbiaās box set āThe Bootleg Series Volumes 1-3ā, a bootleg series comprising rarities and unreleased works.
āViva Las Vegasā, by Elvis Presley
The King couldnāt be left out of this list, and āViva Las Vegasā is certainly one of his most iconic songs. Glorifying the city he loved and describing the raw action of Vegasā 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 Elvisā film of the same nameĀ and was released as a single in 1964. āViva Las Vegasā was certified gold in 1992, having sold 500,000 copies in the United States, but curiously, Elvis never sang the song live.
āAce of Spadesā, by Motƶrhead
āIf you like to gamble, I tell you Iām your man. You win some, lose some, itās all the same to meā. With these words, Lemmy opens one of the most iconic songs in the history of rock and roll. āAce of Spadesā, the title track on Motƶrheadās 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, āThe pleasure is to play, makes no difference what you sayā. Whether youāre playing poker or blackjack, at home or a land-based casino, āAce of Spadesā is undoubtedly the best choice to lift your spirits. āAnd donāt forget the jokerā.
