New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Hollywood has been in love with casino gaming ever since poker was introduced to Las Vegas in the last century. From classical musicians like Elvis to modern day pop stars like Lady Gaga; there has been a casino themed song each decade going back to the 70s. Below we recap some of the best songs so far.
#1: Kenny Rogers' the Gambler
The Gambler was an instant hit when it was released back in 1978. It remained a top hit throughout the 80s and 90s and has been a great song to date. In his golden voice, Kenny Rogers tells a tale of meeting an experienced gambler who shares some great poker gaming advice.
"You've got to know when to hold'em, know when to fold'em, know when to walk away, and know when to run," Kenny Rogers sings.
#2: Lady Gaga—Poker Face
"Can't read my, can't read my, no he can't read my poker face." Wait, Gaga's 2009 hit single wasn't about real poker? In her creatively crafted lyrics, the "Shallow" hitmaker reveals her intimate fantasies about a man she's in love with but he doesn't know it yet.
While you'll easily know the song it isn't about real gambling, Gaga's ingenious ability to relate poker and roulette with intimate lovemaking is laudable. Her lyrics are exceptionally worded, including this line you could always share with your significant other.
"A little gambling is fun when you're with me (I love you)." Of course, poker is fun when you play in a reputable USA-licensed casino like 888 casino NJ. However, it's not fun if you play in an unsafe platform or one that doesn't value its customers.
#3: Mumford and Sons—Snake Eyes
In Craps or any game of dice, snake eyes refer to the side with two dots. It's the least valuable side in dice hence why Mumford and Sons' uses it as an analogy for a man who's always unlucky when it comes to finding love.
In the past, Snake Eyes has divided Mumford and Sons' fans over what the song's lyrics mean. While it's clearly about love, Snake Eyes could refer to the untrustworthy woman the song is about. It could also refer to the perennial misfortunes of the man seeking to find love from a woman that doesn't offer it back.
#4: Gram Parsons—Ooh Las Vegas
In "Ooh Las Vegas," Gram Parsons shares a tragic albeit relatable story about an unlucky night in Sin City. In one stanza, the rock icon talks about how quickly money runs out when playing your favorite casino game. In the next, he laments about the queen of hearts, calling it "a bitch."
"Ooh Las Vegas" isn't a song you want to listen to when you are psyched up to play. But if you ever lose in casino games and feel like listening to a sad casino-themed song, this is the ideal tune.
#5: Elvis Presley—Viva Las Vegas
You don't have to be traveling to Vegas to play this song. Elvis's melodious voice is ever soothing. And when you're in a good mood preparing to try your luck on online slots, Viva Las Vegas works well as a motivational song. Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman wrote the legendary song, but we have the king to thank for helping elevate it to the classic it became.
#6: Juice Newton—Queen of Hearts
While Gram Parsons thought the queen of hearts is not a good card, Juice Newton fancies herself as the queen of hearts that can't be heartbroken easily by a man toying with her feelings. The song first came out in 1979, having been recorded by the Dave Edmunds.
Juice did a cover of the song in 1981 and her version became more popular than the original. To date, most people know Queen of Hearts as one of the best songs by Juice Newton. She earned a Grammy nomination for her cover of the song after all.
#7: Tom Waits—the Nickel
Tom Waits' On the Nickel is a thought-provoking song that uses poker jargon to talk about the plight of the downtrodden residents of skid row. Located in the 5th street of Los Angeles, Skid row is a street consisting of the largest group of homeless people in California.
The situation has remained the same for decades, noting that On the Nickel came out in 1980. In the song, Waits uses intricately coded lyrics and most people didn't know what inspired the song until he did an interview with the BBC later on.
#8: O.A.R— that was a Crazy Game of Poker
Every poker fan out there has had the same feeling. You enter a gaming room, online or otherwise, and engage in a fascinating game that keeps you hooked to the end. In 1997, O.A.R's Marc Roberge may have experienced a similar game.
Unfortunately, his escapade ended with a total loss and the song is a recap of that crazy night when he gave it all to poker and came out with nothing. Like most players, the singer promises to get back into gaming, next time without making the mistake of folding at the wrong time.
#9: ABBA— the Winner takes it All
The Winner takes it all is a phrase you've probably seen in many casino tournaments. Blackjack, poker, roulette, baccarat and even slots all feature competitions where only one person walks out with the grand prize.
In ABBA's song, the winner takes it all refers to two girls fighting for the attention of one man. The lyricist opens up about her feeling for the man and explains that she's played all her cards even though it doesn't seem like she will win. But in the end, she's ready for whatever outcome the judge decides.
#10: AC/DC—the Jack
AC/DC are known for their witty lyrics and distinct voices that have kept them famous for decades. In card games, the jack is a royal card. In AC/DC's song, the jack is a disease, gonorrhea to be precise. The gonorrhea reference traces its origin in Australia, which is why not many people learned about the song's meaning until the rock band explained it on live TV.
Jack is an intriguing song with well-crafted lyrics rooted in casino gaming. Below are some of the lyrics.
"She was holdin' a pair, but I had to try, her deuce was wild, and my ace was high, but how was I to know, that she'd been dealt with before. She said she'd never had a full house, but I should have known before."
