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Top 5 Poker Related Songs

With the success of Lady Gaga's "Poker Face," it only seemed natural to make a list of the five best poker-related songs of all time.

There are a lot of songs out there that have to do with poker one way or another. To make it in my top 5 the song has to be at least somewhat about poker, but more importantly it needs to be a kickass song of awesomeness.

I chose five songs, with some honorable mentions to boot.

Best Ever Poker Songs

5) The Grateful Dead - "Deal." As one would expect from The Dead, this song is simple and intensely rhythmic. Its lyrics are definitely poker-friendly as well - the first verse goes:

Since it costs a lot to win, and even more to lose,
You and me bound to spend some time wond'rin' what to choose.
Goes to show, you don't ever know,
Watch each card you play and play it slow,
Wait until that deal come round,
Don't you let that deal go down, no, no.

4) The Animals - "House of the Rising Sun." Eric Burdon's vocals took this Animals rendition of a classic to new heights. Although the lyrics aren't expressly about poker, the topic is relevant: two generations of men who spend their lives in a gambling house in New Orleans.

The sheer awesomeness and power of this song make it a shoo-in for the top 5.

3) Motorhead  - "The Ace of Spades." "We're Motorhead and we play ROCK AND ROLL."

I'm not sure any human rocks quite as hard as Lemmy. This song packs a brass knuckle-laden punch of pure rock goodness.

Pushing up the ante, I know you've got to see me,
Read 'em and weep, the dead man's hand again,
I see it in your eyes, take one look and die,
The only thing you see, you know it's gonna be,
The ace of spades
The ace of spades

I doubt anyone will ever again rock a song about poker quite as hard as this.

2) Corb Lund - "All I Wanna Do Is Play Cards." Even if you don't like country music, you might like this one by the Corb Lund Band (best known for their pseudo hit "Truck Got Stuck"). This song rocks with a good time country hoedown spirit, while the lyrics are all about the pokers:

crib and guts and stook and gin and stud and cowboy pitch
blackjack, eight or better, hold 'em and draw, chase the bitch
acey-deucy, never loosey, hearts and black mariah
smear and low chicago, man, the stakes keep gettin' higher

(excuse the poor quality of the video link)

With Corb Lund taking the second spot, that leads us to:

1)  Kenny Rogers - "The Gambler." I'm sure none of you are surprised that this gem takes first place. When you think of music in conjunction with poker or gambling, "The Gambler" is the first song that comes to mind for most people.

Sing along with me:

You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.

You just can't beat Kenny ... or the Muppets.

Honorable Mention

Although I could only choose five for the actual list, I do have a final song worthy of honorable mention.

Leonard Cohen - "The Stranger." Given that Cohen's one of my favorite musicians and poets, it only feels right to give him an honorable mention. Although this song sounds like it's referring to gambling at poker, the word "dealer" has a very different meaning from Cohen's lips:

And then sweeping up the jokers that he left behind
you find he did not leave you very much, not even laughter
Like any dealer he was watching for the card
that is so high and wild
he'll never need to deal another
He was just some Joseph looking for a manger
He was just some Joseph looking for a manger.

For a critical look at Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" and its impact on the poker world, make sure to check out Owen Laukkanen's story.

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eic
2013-11-12 14:47:02

(Sting – Shape of my heart) should be in this list

Chris Eastwood
2013-08-06 09:46:30

Townes van Zandt ~ “Mr Mudd and Mr Gold” should top this list every time. Check it out!

tom butler
2013-07-14 11:43:51

Great choices! check out a song about Bad Beats called, The Poker Donkey by Tom Butler, one of the Wonder Twins from AGT! http://www.tombutlerproductions.com

eric simoneau
2012-06-01 17:41:48

you forgot one really amazing one called Spanish train buy Chris de burg

Pokern
2011-10-18 14:57:54

I had not heard this song until now, great song. Definitely worth an honorable mention at the very least. Thanks

Stan
2010-10-26 15:08:27

I think one of the best songs about poker is STING- SHAPE OF MY HEART

Jasper
2010-10-11 20:18:38

Clint Black – ”Good Run Of Bad Luck” this one should be on number ‘1’

sheri determan
2009-10-18 04:04:00

check out the new poker song at playinpokerforalivin.com I understand that they taped a music video at a local casino here in california and it’ll be released in a few weeks

rich
2009-09-28 14:50:00

“The Deal” is about Roosvelt’s “The New Deal” to help the US come out of the depression, and if you think it’s a simple song, I suggets you try playing it….

Lenny
2009-09-21 16:04:00

Want to hear the next grear poker song to come? Go to You Tube and search for “Ten Twenty Lenny ” or poker song and push poker country

Grundy
2009-05-13 03:55:00

Is it time to add Lady GaGa’s “Pokerface” on here yet? No? Good.

colin
2009-04-19 01:18:00

Blood,Sweat & Tears….”Go Down Gamblin”..

“Born a natural loser
I can’t recall just where
Raised on gruel and poker
And a dollar here and there
Black jack hand and dealer man
You better pay out that last bet
Two-bit hand or 21
Is all i ever get
GO DOWN GAMBLIN
SING IT WHEN YOUR RUNNING LOW
GO DOWN GAMBLIN
YOU MAY NEVER HAVE TO GO”

Sean Lind
2009-04-07 19:26:00

The first comment said the exact same thing, I had not heard the song when I wrote this, but I agree it should have made the list.

CrazyGameOfPoker
2009-04-07 18:54:00

What about OAR – Crazy Game Of Poker?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUND9AsL_6M

Greg
2009-04-07 05:12:00

Another vote for Crazy Game of Poker. A classic.

Sean Lind
2009-04-03 17:53:00

That is a good one for sure, the Clash also have “Three Card Trick”.

ryan
2009-04-03 17:42:00

The Clash – The Card Cheat

TellsItLikeItIs
2009-04-03 16:50:00

OP is obviously a douche – Poker Face rulez!

grigrory
2009-04-03 12:02:00

He deals the cards as a meditation
And those he plays never suspect
He doesn’t play for the money he wins
He doesn’t play for respect
He deals the cards to find the answer
The sacred geometry of chance
The hidden loaw of a probable outcome
The numbers lead a dance

I know that the spades are swords of a soldier
I know that the clubs are weapons of war
I know that diamonds mean money for this art
But that’s not the shape of my heart

THATS POKER SONG YOU ALL GUYS ALREADY FORGOT !

Adrien
2009-04-03 09:27:00

Wheres Marcel Luske’s Pokersong and Tommy Angelo’s music ? :-p

Sean Lind
2009-04-02 23:21:00

I had not heard this song until now, great song. Definitely worth an honorable mention at the very least.

Ben
2009-04-02 23:00:00

That Was A Crazy Game of Poker by O.A.R.
wheres that?
should of been #1 on this list

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