The casino is a place of huge inspiration for artists, directors, writers, and as it turns out, musicians. Countless songs have been inspired by games that you might find at the casino, as well as the characters who play them. We’re going to take a quick rattle through some of the best of this ‘genre’. Perhaps you’ll spot a personal favourite!

Ace of Spades – Motorhead

Ace of Spades is one of surprisingly few songs to specifically mention poker hands, with Lemmy choosing to call out the ‘dead man’s hand’. This refers to a pair of aces and a pair of eights, which is a good hand, but not the best. Somehow we think, ‘pushing up the ante, I know you gotta see me, read ’em and weep, the royal flush again’ wouldn’t have quite the same ring to it. Interestingly, this might not even be a line that Lemmy considered. It’s widely said that he wrote this in the back of a transit van, hurtling down the motorway on his way to record the album. Pretty impressive for a song that would go on to define a whole genre of music.

Viva Las Vegas – Elvis Presley

You knew it was coming, didn’t you? No list of casino inspired songs would be complete without mentioning Elvis Presley’s classic, Viva Las Vegas! Released in 1964 for the movie of the same name, this track encapsulates the glitz and glamour of Sin City. It’s a celebration of everything Las Vegas stands for – bright lights, endless nights, and, of course, the allure of winning big. Elvis’ smooth and powerful voice combined with the bouncy, energetic melody almost make you feel that same level of excitement as Vegas does itself. Whether you win or lose, there’s something electric about a trip to Vegas.

Tumbling Dice – The Rolling Stones

If you’ve not heard this one before, then take a listen. Released way back in 1972, there’s nobody on Earth who could argue that this song hasn’t stood the test of time. It was inspired by Mick Jagger’s own experiences with casino games. It uses allegories in such a clever way, bringing together sentiments about dice games with testaments to love and life. The result is endlessly relatable, whether you’re a lover, a player, or both. The basslines of almost all songs by The Rolling Stones combine bluesy elements with a solid rock riff, while the gritty vocals perfectly capture the thrill of the game – be it love, or dice.

Poker Face – Lady Gaga

There’s a whole lot of controversy around what Lady Gaga is actually saying in this song, but we’ll leave it to you to decide which team you’re on. From the title of the track, we’ll assume it really is ‘poker face’… Anyway, this song is one of few from the last couple of decades that took poker as its inspiration and did so in a clever way. In a similar way to Tumbling Dice, the song uses poker as a metaphor, cleverly capturing the aligning psychological aspects of both gaming and relationships. Gaga’s lyrics explore the idea of hiding one’s true emotions behind a ‘poker face,’ a tactic as vital at the card table as it can be in personal interactions. With its infectious beat and catchy chorus, Poker Face became an international sensation, solidifying Lady Gaga as a pop icon.

Luck Be a Lady – Frank Sinatra

Hearing Marlon Brando sing this song in Guys and Dolls is definitely special, but it was originally performed by Frank Sinatra. That’s two people with incredible pipes! The song is a plea for good fortune at the craps table, and nobody croons quite like Sinatra. So powerful was this song that the phrase, “luck be a lady tonight” has since become synonymous with the hope that chance will favor you when the stakes are high.

Queen of Hearts – Juice Newton

Juice Newton’s 1981 hit Queen of Hearts is another classic that incorporates gaming into its narrative. The song uses the image of the Queen of Hearts – a playing card often associated with love and luck – as a metaphor for risky romantic relationships. With its catchy tune and country-pop style, Queen of Hearts became a top-ten hit in multiple countries. The song’s playful yet cautionary lyrics remind listeners that love can be a game of chance where the stakes are high.