Kenny Rogers - The Gambler
The gambler is perhaps the most popular song about blackjack and gambling. The song was originally written by Schlitz when he was 23 years old in August 1976. Bobby Bare was persuaded to record the song by Shel Silverstein after two years of bouncing it around Nashville. Schlitz recorded it himself when Bare's version failed to take off and was never made available as a single; however, his version only managed to reach No. 65 on the charts. In 1978, other musicians began to take note of the song and began recording it, including Johnny Cash, who included it on his album Gone Girl. At a time when country songs hardly ever made it to the pop charts, his rendition was a No. 1 country smash. It was made available in November 1978 as the album's lead single, The Gambler, and in 1980 it helped him win the Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. The Jordanaires, a vocal ensemble, sing with Rogers on the recording.
The chorus goes:
You got to know when to hold 'em/know when to fold 'em/know when to walk away and know when to run. This song is really popular in gambling, as it talks about how to count cards in blackjack, about knowing your odds, and about making smart decisions. The Rolling Stones - Paint It Black: A big part of being successful at gambling is being able to mentally distance yourself from the game. Mick Jagger sings in Paint It Black, I want to see you, I want to be there where you are/I want to see you out of my head for good. He's urging himself mentally; once he gets rid of any thoughts that are distracting him from playing well, he'll do better.
Lady Gaga - Poker Face
Lady Gaga is an international pop sensation and her most famous song, Poker Face, has a gambling theme. The song features the line I’m gonna make you sweat which makes reference to the time that players spend playing casino games. Another reference to gambling in the song is when she says I won’t tell you that I love you, I won’t tell you that I care which references a player who doesn't want to show their hand at poker and letting their opponent know how they feel about them. Some other popular songs with a gambling theme are Friend or Foe by The Chemical Brothers; Spinning Plates by Moby; Rain Down on Me by G-Eazy ft. Too $hort & Kehlani; Ain't That Enough by Miley Cyrus; Space Bound by Eminem and any of the songs from the soundtrack for Ocean's Eleven.
Rihanna - Russian Roulette
Russian Roulette is a song by Rihanna from her third studio album, Good Girl Gone Bad (2007). It was written by Alex Da Kid and Dr. Luke, with the latter also producing it. The song was released on September 9, 2008 as the lead single of the album in most countries, but in the United States it was sent to radio on November 3 as the second single. The song's lyrics talk about love and its potential consequences, such as risking getting hurt or even killed when she compares it to Russian roulette. Take my chances with a loaded gun / Put it to my head now give me one more round, she sings over a nagging synth bass. Some commentators have criticized the lyrical content, considering them too intense for younger listeners. On September 12, 2008, American television network ABC aired an hour-long special titled All Access: Rihanna - Live in Los Angeles where they followed Rihanna around as she rehearsed for her upcoming live performances in support of Good Girl Gone Bad which premiered on ABC later that night.
Elvis Presley - Viva Las Vegas
Viva Las Vegas is a 1964 song written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman. The song is about the excitement of Las Vegas. Elvis Presley recorded it on July 30, 1964 at Radio Recorders Studios in Hollywood, California. It was released by RCA Victor as a single on October 1, 1964. It went to number one in the United States and the United Kingdom for nine weeks.
Elvis made this song because he wanted to have some fun before his military service started in early March, 1960. He would get an opportunity to play blackjack and dice against people who had never seen him before or played cards with him before.
The Clash - The Card Cheat
The Card Cheat is a song by the British punk rock band The Clash. The song, like many of their songs, is about life on the streets and references gambling, specifically card cheating. The song opens with: I am the card cheat which may be referencing the well-known gambler Arnold Rothstein or to his own gambling addiction. This line is followed by: I'm a hustler and a cheat which could be interpreted as meaning that he's not only gambling but being dishonest in other ways too. The lyrics also reference many other aspects of street life including prostitution, robbery and drug abuse.
Bob Dylan - Rambling, Gambling Willie
Bob Dylan's Rambling, Gambling Willie is one of the many songs written about blackjack. The song was released on his 1972 album Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. The album is loosely based on the 1973 film of the same name starring James Coburn as Billy and Bob Dylan as a character named Alias. In this song, Rambling, Gambling Willie (played by Bob Dylan) sits at a card table with cards in his hand and money on the table. He sings about gambling with aces and kings until he runs out of luck and dies.
Conclusion
There are many songs written about blackjack. Some popular songs are the Gambler by Kenny Rogers and Bob Dylan - Rambling, Gambling Willie amongst others. This is a testament to the popularity of the blackjack game. Which of the songs above is your favorite?
