Top 10 Poker Themed Music Videos
The worlds of music industry and gambling are quite intersected. Both belong to the entertainment segment, and it’s no wonder they found a way to cooperate. Modern music videos often have themes that are inspired by gambling, and one of the games that is featured a lot, is without a doubt, poker. This legendary card game is often an inspiration to music video producers and artists. In this article we are going to talk about poker themed music videos that have become mainstream together with the music that features in them.
Kenny Rogers-The Gambler
A classic. This is the song that we will start our list with. If you find similar articles to this one, this will most likely be the song that will be No1 in all of them. A country classic that spans generations might just be the most famous song about poker that features the game itself in the video and it’s about poker. The Gambler was released in 1978 and has been going strong for almost half a century. If you haven’t heard this one before, this is the right moment to do it, as it is not only a song but a life lesson in its own right. Lyrics are wise, send a strong message, and after listening to this hit a few times you will certainly learn when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em. You don’t have to be a gambler to like this song, trust us on it. This country classic is all about having strategy and intuition in both life and at the Stake Poker table, and you need both in both.
Lady Gaga-Poker Face
A pop hit that launched the career of Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, better known as Lady Gaga. When this song was released back in 2008 by Interscope Records it was evident that Lady Gaga had a career altering song in her hands. The song is all about emotional control and deception described through poker terms, and fans of the game found it interesting that such emotions could be described by a card game. Yet, almost two decades later this song is still going strong and it is one of the best performing songs by Lady Gaga to date. Poker face is a requirement for professional players, but the song Poker Face is not talking about it in the literal sense. Yet, it is about the composure, and bluffing one requires in everyday life when satiations get harsh and that’s something that resonates with all of us deeply. The lyrics are quite catchy, and are followed through by a beat you cannot forget once you hear it. It’s a song that’s adored by both the fans of the game and pop music in general.
Motorhead-Ace of Spades
If there is an anthem of poker, this is it. There isn’t a single person on this globe that hasn’t heard this song. Maybe if you’ve been living under a rock all this time since the release of Ace of Spades by Motorhead in 1980. This rock classic was released by Bronze Records and it is one of the most recognizable rock songs out there. While not classic in a sense that would describe Stairway to Heaven or Paint it Black, it is a song that has reshaped the genre over and over again. This song goes hard, it plays fast, and the only way to fully enjoy it is to put your speakers to the loudest setting. Ace of Spades is a song you listen to when you’re going to take a risk, whether it’s at the poker table or it is in real life. Motorhead is a legendary band, and even those people who are not fans of Lemmy Kilmister know Ace of Spades. Gambling has always been an amazing real life metaphor, and when you live on edge like Lemmy did, poker is a great way of describing the thrill of both life’s and poker’s high stakes. An energetic song that cannot be listened to only once. It is a rock hit that either gets played on repeat or once really loud. If you’re not in the mood for poker, this song has the energy to push you to the table for sure.
Elvis Presley-Viva Las Vegas
If every city had an anthem such as Viva Las Vegas, the world would be a better place to live. Elvis was a singer that shaped a generation, and the Rock and Roll as we know it today wouldn’t have existed without him. RCA Victor label released this rock and roll anthem back in 1964, and this song hasn’t aged a bit since. Sin City is an association to gambling for many of us, and nothing encapsulates it quite like Viva Las Vegas by Elvis Presley. While poker is not the main theme in this one, lists as this one cannot be written without Viva Las Vegas featuring in it. At the end of the day, Elvis is behind probably the biggest song that celebrates gambling in such a manner that brings tears of joy to your eyes when hearing it. The allure and bright lights of Las Vegas shine today the same way as they did back in1964. If you’re a poker fan you need to hear this song, while we are sure that there isn’t a single soul out there who held a deck of cards in its hands that hasn’t been heard by now. Its rhythm and iconic status has made it a musical evergreen song, and you don’t even have to be a fan of the game or the city to love this catchy tune.
Juice Newton-Queen of Hearts
Back in 1981 rock was a genre that was topping the top lists, but it didn’t stop country-pop star, Juice Newton to release her biggest hit, Queen of Hearts. Capitol Records knew what they had in their hands when this hit was released. It is not quite often that people talk about romance and betrayal by using poke terms, but Juice Newton did it in a way that does a great job in understanding what she’s trying to convey to the listener. Her vocals take you on a ride that tell a great tale about love that requires taking high risks the same way poker does. The song is catchy, created to be played on repeat, and its playful nature will add another dimension to both love and poker when you listen to it a couple of times.
Bob Dylan-Lily, Rosemary, and the Jack of Hearts
Bob Dylan is behind quite a few anthems that have defined his career. The Folk Rock legend has made a mark in music that will be heard and seen for generations to come, and one of his songs that is held close by all of us gamblers is Lily, Rosemary, and the Jack of Hearts. Released back in 1975 by Columbia Records, this song tells a unique tale of poker, crime, and love. Many music critics see it as a masterpiece of lyrical creation, and Bob Dylan carried this one out with perfection. The drama of high stakes game, and tension of love are perfectly conveyed by the song’s main character in Jack of Hearts. Lily, Rosemary, and the Jack of Hearts has depth, lyrics crafted to perfection, and it is a poem more than it is a rock cong. Whether you’re in love with a woman or a game of poker, this one will resonate strongly with you either way.
Radiohead-House of Cards
Poker is an evergreen game, and as such it has songs written about it in the 1960s and 2000s alike. XL Recordings released House of Cards by Radiohead in 2007 and this alternative rock masterpiece is now almost two decades old, and still resonates with the audience quite well. As we’re used to now, this song plays on a thin line between love, emotions that describe vulnerability, not so strong relationships, and does it all by using the imagination of poker. House of Cards is not about the game itself, but the metaphor is more than easy to understand. House of Cards is a metaphor often used in music and literature, and Radiohead added another layer to an already existing term. Poker players know better than many how easily house of cards fall apart without proper strategy and foundation of the game in place. The song has an amazing atmosphere to it, and it can be an ideal song to play if you’re just about to start a session of online poker with friends or even alone. For night games, it is almost perfect.
Frank Sinatra-Luck be a Lady
Frank Sinatra is a timeless presence on the music scene. His approach to both jazz and traditional pop is best seen in Luck be a Lady song which was released by Reprise Records. The charm and class released by the voice of Frank Sinatra will put you immediately in the mood for some poker. The song is all about the elegance of gambling that requires luck and is based on hope to win. It attempts and succeeds in personifying the luck and portraying it as a lady that requires to be charmed in order to win anything when gambling. This romantic anthem is one of the most popular songs among poker players and other gamblers alike. Risk and romance go hand in hand in this iconic track, and if you’re trying to create the best ever poker playlist, this song needs to be at the top of your list.
Beyonce-Texas Hold’em
When it’s all said and done in this article, or in music in general, it will be clear that poker is a card game that transcendents all music genres. Beyonce is a modern Pop and R&B star who is seen as one of the biggest modern music stars. Her hit song, Texas Hold’em, that carries the name of one of the most popular poker variations out there is the freshest track on this list. Released in 2023 by Parkwood Entertainment, Texas Hold’em was meant, and it achieved, the goal of being a catchy tune with a confident beat, just like the game itself is. It is a bold and modern anthem about the game and life talking about the strategy and risk needed to be known and taken in order to play the game with the hand you’ve been dealt in both life and poker. Beyonce is just the latest music star that has decided to convey the popular game through her lyrics. There have been singers in the past and there will be singers in the future that will have to sing about the game that never ends and is a perfect metaphor for many things in life.
The Rolling Stones-Tumblin’ Dice
While not about poker itself, Tumblin’ Dice is an ideal example of an gambling anthem. The Rolling Stones are probably the most legendary rock band out there, and this list wouldn’t have been perfect without their presence. Mick Jagger knows a thing or two about taking risks, love, life, and gambling. Tumblin’ Dice encapsulates all of it in one song that perfectly fits into the catalogue of many hits released by The Rolling Stones. This song is as rock as a song can get, and it is an ideal representation of the era where it comes from, has a style that is well suited to the audience today as it was to the one back then. If you’re a player that loves to take its chance, doing it by listening to this song gives you a better chance of winning, or that’s at least what we heard.
There you have it, a list of ten songs about poker and gambling that need to find a way to our favourite casino playlist. Sit back, relax, play the game and listen. Also, wait for another poker hit to come out, as we’re sure that it will.
