Gambling Songs to Place Your Bets On
Saturday, August 3rd, 2013
Road trips just aren’t right without a classic road mix for company. Likewise, you might have songs to wash the dishes to, jog to and even shower to. So why should placing your bets be any different?
The music industry has harboured many lovers of gambling – entertainers living for the thrill and the risk of the sport with big bucks on the line. And these celebrity bettors have been so kind as to leave us with some classic tracks which revolve entirely around the glory of gambling.
If you fancy sampling the very best of these moneymakers, we’ve compiled a list of what we consider to be the ultimate in betting music.
(Overlaps may occur with ‘M1 tunes’ and ‘Songs My Wife Hates’ playlists.)
1. Viva Las Vegas by Elvis Presley
What better way to kick off the playlist than with this undisputed classic, dedicated to the definitive gambling epicentre. With innumerable gamblers having made the pilgrimage to this holy (and admittedly unholy) site, the song perfectly illustrates what it is we love about betting and everything Vegas represents. ‘A fortune won and lost on every deal / All you need’s a strong heart and a nerve of steel…’
2. The Ace of Spades by Motorhead
There are few more glorious combos than gambling and rock’n’roll. While this song uses many gambling metaphors about cards and dice, old Lemmy has confessed to being more of a one-arm bandit fan. But a song about waiting for three cherries to line up just wouldn’t have had the same punch, would it?
3. The Gambler by Kenny Rogers
Part cautionary tale, part cathartic ballad, this song is an undeniable classic among gamblers. Sure, the idea that the best we can hope for is to die in our sleep is hardly an uplifting message (even more so when you reach the song’s grim conclusion) but you can’t deny that this guy really knows how to play cards: ‘You got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em’.
4. The Winner Takes it All by ABBA
Disco’s not for everyone, but if you’re going to do it, you may as well do it right – with ABBA. The simple message of the winner taking it all (and anyone who gambles knows just how true this sentiment is) is great for psyching yourself up to be that winner. Try blasting this song whenever you’re driving up to the bookies to pick up your winnings, nothing feels sweeter. But avoid listening to it after a loss because that just can’t be healthy.
5. Blackjack by Ray Charles
This song was written after Ray had a winning session of blackjack against T-Bone Walker, so it’s got some real history, and we’d like to think a little good fortune too. Of course the song also addresses some of the risks of blackjack – okay, a lot of the risks. But you know as well as we do that the sweetness of the victory’s in the risk.
6. The Card Cheat by The Clash
We think this is a great song to play during a poker game. Not only is it a fantastic track, but also addresses gambling integrity. The cheater in the song, after using a card hidden up his sleeve, is swiftly sentenced to death by the card dealer. This may be a touch dramatic but it’s always best to be on the safe side, so make sure to respect the rules of the game.
7. Luck Be a Lady by Frank Sinatra
Sinatra sings about a gambler who has not only his future on the line, but that of his dream girl’s too – and it’s all down to the roulette board. You may not play with the stakes quite so high yourself, but Sinatra can’t be the first person to fall in love over the roulette table – or with the table itself.
8. Tumbling Dice by The Rolling Stones
Whether you have a lucky tie, your favourite football team or a pair of underwear you save for the Grand National, there’s undoubtedly a degree of superstition surrounding gambling – a sense of faithfulness. But disloyalty is the name of the game in this Stones track, with one gambler being unfaithful to every woman in town. Nevertheless, what the song lacks in moral values, it makes up for in tasty betting metaphors. It’s a lot harder to cheat on the dice.
9. House of the Rising Sun by Animals
Let’s just ignore the cautionary aspects of gambling’s potential dangers. This is simply an excellent song, full to the brim with that dark, cheeky sound found in many of these betting beauties. If we want to get deep, this song teaches us the importance of moderation – but what’s one more sweepstake going to hurt? Worst case scenario, this track will be ideal for drowning your sorrows.
10. Poker Face by Lady Gaga
Okay, this song isn’t really about gambling. Truth be told, the themes revolve entirely around the dating game – it just so happens that gambling terminology made for an ideal metaphor. Artist intentions aside, this is a fantastic gambling song which really gets you ready for the poker table.
If this playlist has gotten you in the mood for putting some money on the line, why not expand your horizons and try something new with Panda Sweeps’ sweepstakes? With the right soundtrack, luck could take your side – so stick on any of these tunes and give Panda Sweeps a try.
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