There are two types of people in the world: movie people or music people. We all know there are some fantastic movies about gambling but what is out there to whet the appetite of music-loving punters? Here we are going to have a quick look at the top five best gambling songs.
The following tunes are ideal get you psyched and keep your head in the game.
5. Lady Gaga – Poker Face
This one may seem a little too pop and new wave to really find itself in any legitimate top five gambling songs of all time, but Lady Gaga has written a pretty bang-on song, interweaving a slew of gambling references with sexual innuendo.
Poker Face was written by Lady Gaga and RedOne for her debut album The Fame, released in 2008. Since then, it has become a popular song not only among hipster poker players, but society at large.
The song has a fun look at gambling as typified in the following lyrics:
I wanna roll with him a hard pair we will be
A little gambling is fun when you’re with me
Russian Roulette is not the same without a gun
And baby when it’s love if it’s not rough it isn’t fun
With such an upbeat tune, this is one song for when you are on a lucky streak. It’s a bit too lively sounding for anyone in the grip of a foul run of hands.
4. Motorhead – Ace of Spades
Ace of Spades is the title track from Motorhead’s 1980 album. Since its release, it has been a firm favourite among hardcore punters the world over.
Its frank, unforgiving lyrics regarding gambling have resonated with many punters over the years. The following verse in particular is striking:
You know I’m born to lose, and gambling’s for fools
But that’s the way I like it baby
I don’t wanna live forever
And don’t forget the joker
Lyrics like that matched with the fast, heavy music make for one king-hell of a gambling song. The fast music can keep you going when you’re on a roll
3. Elvis Presley – Viva Las Vegas
The King could sing about almost any subject and sell it. Viva Las Vegas was released in 1963 to accompany the release of Elvis’ film of the same name.
The song kicks off with an absolutely bang-on description of Las Vegas and the mind set of many first timer’s to the city of sin, as seen below.
Bright light city gonna set my soul
Gonna set my soul on fire
Got a whole lot of money that’s ready to burn
So get those stakes up higher
This is a great song to get you in the mood for a night on the town at your local bricks and mortar casino. It will have you howling “Viva Las Vegas” at the moon whether your pockets are full or not.
2. Kenny Rogers – The Gambler
I know there are a lot of old school types out there who will be howling for my carcass for Kenny Rogers’ The Gambler only coming in at no. 2 on this list.
The song – released in 1978 – follows a random meeting on a train. Kenny meets a Gambler who offers Kenny his theory on gambling and life for a swig of whiskey and a cigarette. The Gambler then details a generally sound playing philosophy as well as a philosophy on life itself.
Every gambler knows
That the secret to survivin’
Is knowin’ what to throw away
And knowin’ what to keep
Cause every hand’s a winner
And every hand’s a loser
And the best you can hope for is to die in your sleep
Very profound stuff. This is an almost melancholy song that would lend itself to someone on a bad run of luck, just to let you know you’re not the first person to have been burned at a table.
1. The Animals – The House of the Rising Sun
The history of this song seems to be shrouded in mystery. It’s thought to have originated as an old ballad. Since then it has been sung countless times by many musicians, even Bob Dylan. But the best version of all was given to us by The Animals. Beginning with the lyrics:
There is a House in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun
And it’s been the ruin of many a poor boy
And God, I know, I’m one
The House of the Rising Sun is a cautionary tale of woe sung from the perspective of a young man who got caught up in a casino called “The House of the Rising Sun”. The narrator of the song details his tragedy, only to reveal that he is going straight back to New Orleans to once again visit the House.
The lively music of this song in contrast with the serious lyrics gets me every time. This can either psyche you up or console you after a loss – such is the magic of this song.