New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Considering the traditional card game can be traced back many centuries, poker has become closely intertwined with American popular culture. A notable example is Old Hollywood icon Frank Sinatra, who used to host regular poker games at his Los Angeles mansion. Together with the other members of his informal musical group, the Rat Pack, the legendary American singer and actor played poker not only to gather with celebrity friends but also to celebrate his return to bachelorhood after divorcing actress Ava Gardner.
Fast forward to the digital age, the continued popularity of poker is facilitated by online platforms that constantly innovate the game and the overall player experience. As America's top poker site and the host of the biggest American online poker tournaments like the weekly Big Poker Thursdays, Americas Cardroom has been helping keep the spirit of the card game alive. In fact, the platform's report on a 2024 survey highlights how poker remains familiar and embedded into pop culture. Respondents across different generations chose musicians like Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, and Kendrick Lamar as the celebrities they would like to face off against in a poker game.
The connection between poker, music, and the broader pop culture can also be observed in how musicians from different decades have been inspired by the beloved card game through songwriting. Whether their lyrics relate poker's randomness to the unpredictability of love and life or simply evoke the fun-filled atmosphere of poker nights, below are the greatest poker-related songs of all time.
Luck Be A Lady by Frank Sinatra
Although it was originally featured in the 1950 musical Guys and Dolls, Luck Be A Lady fittingly became the signature song for the aforementioned poker enthusiast Frank Sinatra, who starred in the musical's 1955 film adaptation. Sinatra sings from the point of view of a gambler, Sky Masterson, who beckons the help of Lady Luck to win the game and stay with the girl of his dreams. As Sinatra croons the line "Luck be a lady tonight," any listener will be reminded of how love, like a poker game, can push one to beg and pray for the best outcome.
Viva Las Vegas by Elvis Presley
In Viva Las Vegas, Elvis Presley recreates the thrill and excitement of playing poker, blackjack, and other popular games in the casinos the city is widely known for. As he sings about the bright neon lights and also begs Lady Luck to be on his side as day turns into night, you'll immediately be transported to the poker tables and casinos along the Las Vegas Strip. Thanks to this anthem, the King of Rock 'n' Roll continues to be celebrated by the Neon Capital, to the extent that the popular Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino launched a yearlong celebration for his 90th birthday, which kicked off on January 8, 2025. Presley's legacy in Las Vegas can also be traced back to his numerous sold-out performances at Westgate, back when it was still known as the International Hotel.
Deuces Are Wild by Aerosmith
In poker and other similar card games, the term 'deuce' refers to a card with a rank of two. So, when playing deuces wild poker, landing a two means getting a wild card that can be whatever you need it to be to get the best possible hand. Aerosmith's Steven Tyler aptly uses wild deuces as a metaphor for the woman he loves, sweetly singing that she's everything he's ever wanted "like a double shot of lovin' so fine" and ultimately saying that together, they're the perfect pair.
Poker Face by Lady Gaga
Poker also serves as an iconic inspiration for pop songs, with Lady Gaga breaking into the music industry in 2008 with her career-starting hit, Poker Face. The infectious beat is mixed with catchy lyrics that reference poker and its mechanics, as Gaga sings, "I wanna hold 'em like they do in Texas" and "Fold 'em, let 'em hit me, raise it, baby, stay with me." Even when Gaga went on to release other chart-topping singles, such as the duet Die With A Smile with Bruno Mars from her latest album, DISEASE, Poker Face continues to reign on the charts, recently hitting its all-time high on Billboard's Dance Streaming Songs.
