When playing in an online casino, the virtual version of the traditional brick-and-mortar casino, you can set the scene for the perfect play-in night at home. This means setting up finger snacks nearby and creating the perfect ambiance with the right music. We have put together a song list that will get you in the mood for gambling.
Viva Las Vegas – Elvis Presley
Viva Las Vegas is not only the name of a song but also a movie. And King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley plays the lead, Lucky Jackson, in the movie as well as singing the song. Interestingly, Presley did not ever perform the song live, despite it being one of the hits his fans loved best.
In the movie, Jackson is a racing car driver and longs to win the Grand Prix. But to do so, he must make sufficient money to replace his worn-out car engine.
Gambling seems to be the solution until Jackson’s winnings are destroyed in the hotel pool. Nevertheless, he sticks around to woo Rusty Martin, played by Ann-Margret. Unfortunately, he must compete with his archenemy Elmo, acted by Cesare Danova, for the girl and the race.
Several covers of Viva Las Vegas have been performed by well-known artists The Thrills, ZZ Top, and The Dead Kennedys.
The Gambler – Kenny Rogers
Although The Gambler was performed by several singers, including Johnny Cash, it was only when Kenny Rogers sang it that it became a hit and won him the Grammy Award for best male country vocal performance. The writer of the song is Don Schlitz. The lyrics tell of a gambler seated next to the narrator who offers him advice on gambling in exchange for some whiskey.
Ace of Spades – Motörhead
The band obtained their greatest commercial rewards from this 1980s song, which reached number four on the UK charts. It warns against becoming addicted to gambling and the risks involved. The Ace of Spades name comes from the story of Wild Bill Hancock, a sheriff who was shot dead while holding the hand of two black aces and two black eights. This hand is therefore considered bad luck in poker.
Hayseed Dixie has performed this as a bluegrass version of Ace of Spades. See which rendition you prefer. The latter gives an upbeat performance if you enjoy this style.
Easy Money – Billy Joel
Easy Money started as a 1983 movie. Billy Joel performed the theme song in the movie. The lyrics are pure gambling with a catchy tune.
In the comedy movie, Italian-born Monty is married to an Irish girl whose mother looks down on him for his degenerate ways and ethnic roots. Monty enjoys drinking, smoking pot, and gambling but messes up everything else. He inherits $10 million from his mother-in-law but will only be able to claim the money if he can change his lifestyle for a year.
At the end of the year, apparently reformed, Monty receives his millions from his wife’s mother, who had faked her death to control him. As she continues to try and exert power over his choices, he states that he is going for a walk but meets up with his friends for a game of poker, totally unrepentant.
Love is a Losing Game – Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse battled an addiction to drugs and alcohol. The night before her untimely death in 2011, she confided to her doctor that she had started drinking again but didn’t want to die. The cause of her death was alcohol poisoning.
In Love is a Losing Game, Winehouse compares love to playing a losing hand of cards. It was the last single released by the singer. The song is featured in a documentary about her life and death. In 2008, Love is a Losing Game won the Best Song Musically and Lyrically. This award is presented to the writer of the lyrics and not the performer. However, in this case, Amy Winehouse both wrote and performed the single.
Lady Luck – Journey
As indicated by the title, the song is about Lady Luck. Gamblers often refer to Lady Luck, as a disincarnate spirit, causing them to lose by frowning on them. If she smiles down on the gambler, he will keep winning one game after another. Lady Luck by Journey is a guitar solo that needs to be listened to a few times after which you start to love it. Lady Luck will favor you too if you click here to check out a great casino bonus reward.
St John The Gambler – Townes van Zandt
St John The Gambler is a mellow song for later in the evening. The lyrics are quite sombre and speak of a girl leaving her mother to go in search of the famed gambler. She falls to her death in the mountains to the sound of his laughter. In a sense, she has taken a gamble by following her heart.
The song and artist are not well-known. Nevertheless, once someone has been turned onto the singer, they are hooked.
Beatin’ the Odds – Molly Hatchet
Despite not receiving widespread recognition, Molly Hatchet is a rock band worth becoming acquainted with. This is good music. The lyrics are great and portray the rush of a winning streak with ‘Victory’ by the gambler’s side. No sooner have they shared their takings is she coaxing him back into the game.
Deal – Jerry Garcia
Jerry Garcia is well known as the leader of The Grateful Dead, a rock band in which he was responsible for most of the song writing, as well as being its vocalist and lead guitarist. A master at improvisation and competent at playing multiple musical instruments, it is his guitar work that will wow you in Deal. Unfortunately, Garcia died at the fairly young age of 53 of a heart attack that was exacerbated by his twin addictions – cocaine and heroin. Like Winehouse, this was a loss to the music world.
Go Down Gamblin’ – Blood Sweat and Tears
The song, Go Down Gamblin’, encompasses an ‘all-in’ approach to gambling as reflected by its title. The lyrics tell of a gambler, who despite losing persistently, sees himself as a winner because he has won the love of a woman.
As regards the band, Blood, Sweat & Tears, fans could never agree if they were a rock or jazz band. That is, until Go Down Gamblin’, which is full-on rock in the style of its time (1971), despite the synthesis of rock and roll with blues, jazz, and the tuba. Notwithstanding the commercial success of Go Down Gamblin’, the band started to fall apart after its release.
This list provides a smorgasbord of the best gambling songs ever produced.