Music has a unique relationship with several forms of popular culture. There are artists and songwriters who have been extremely talented enough to combine two different things and make songs that standout because of their lyrics.
The rap and hip-hop genres can often feature references to sports, especially the UK’s grime scene. It isn’t uncommon to hear an artist make a reference to a player of a football team or a team itself within its lyrics. In North America, it is quite often to hear gambling be used as a theme as song lyrics, too.
Songs that feature gambling references in their titles
When thinking about the cross-section between gambling and the music industry, it’s often easier to see how they relate with each other through their usage as song titles.
Artists from a multitude of different time eras have all referenced gambling in the titles of their tracks. Top songs from older artists like Kenny Rogers and Elvis Presley are synonymous with the gambling industry, as are tracks from those in the modern era, with Lady Gaga and Katy Perry having referenced it in some form. Among some of the tracks to be found with the activity in its title include:
- “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga
- “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers
- “Deal” by Jerry Garcia
- “Luck Be a Lady” by Frank Sinatra
- “Waking Up In Vegas” by Katy Perry
- “Blackjack” by Ray Charles
- “Viva Las Vegas” by Elvis Presley
- “Roll of the Dice” by Bruce Springsteen
- “The Jack” by AC/DC
- “The Queen of Hearts” by Juice Newton
Why are gambling themes often used in lyrics?
Gambling activities can often provide an array of emotions, whether that be in regard to the games that are actually being played or if they are essentially just being used as a metaphor to describe a feeling or something that may have happened.
The feelings and emotions that can be experienced are pretty universal. Those who have enjoyed online roulette will know about the ups and lows of the game, as they will appreciate that not every bet placed will be a winner. The rollercoaster of emotions that can be witnessed during this game – or any other casino game – can be relatable in various other walks of life; something music artists have been able to incorporate into the tracks that they release.
Relationships
Songs that have been written about relationships, love, and romance, can often feature gambling aspects. They will often use analogies of things that feature high-stakes and how risky certain things can be when being in a relationship, then often use games like poker to describe certain scenarios. This could involve using lyrics that reference bluffing, being strategic, or even knowing when to fold and give up on a relationship that is not working as it should.
Life choices
There have been songs that use the randomness and unpredictability that gambling can provide as a metaphor for those who are looking at making major life decisions and the uncertainty that surrounds them. A roll of a dice can provide various outcomes and results, much in the same way life can. However, some may reference the act of throwing dice as being the only way to know what could potentially happen.
Will gambling themes always remain popular in music lyrics?
It is possible to suggest that we are hearing less about gambling themes in today’s music. However, that is not to say that there aren’t tracks that still incorporate aspects of the industry and the games that are played today.
If there is one thing that we do know, it is that the music scene can be rather cyclical, and it is perhaps only a matter of time before we start seeing gambling references enter the charts once again in the near future.