Finding Inspiration (and Strategy) in 'Poker Songs'
I had been researching an article about poker songs when I heard about Martin Harris' excellent new book, Poker & Pop Culture in which appears a chapter entitled "Poker in Music." I abandoned my article for a while, then I realized there is another approach to the subject. Instead of talking about the history of poker in music, I can talk about how music can inspire how we play poker.
Of course, just because a song has a poker reference, that doesn't mean the song is any good. Indeed, most "poker songs" are only tangentially about poker, so the quality of the song is paramount. So my primary requirement when compiling the list of songs that appear below was that the song must be a good one. (I also wanted you to be able to check out the song easily, so I've included hyperlinks.)
Be advised that this article is tongue-in-check in some places. Don't deluge me with comments about how these songs are not all "about" poker — they are all "poker songs" for me.
Kenny Rogers, "The Gambler"
This is perhaps the most famous song about poker, and it's a good one. Recorded by Kenny Rogers in 1978, the song that taught listeners "to know when to hold 'em [and] know when to fold 'em" has become iconic in popular culture, as Harris points out in his book. This song was a number one hit on the country chart and won Rogers a Grammy award for best country vocal performance in 1980. Perhaps his most interesting performance of the song was on The Muppet Show, where the gambler dies in his sleep after he broke even. What a way to go.
Ennio Morricone, "The Ecstasy of Gold (Bandini Remix)"
Although you might not know it by the title, this might well be the second most famous "poker song," especially if you have ever played at the World Series of Poker as it is the intro music for every event. Actually entitled "L'Estasi Dell'ora," this music first appeared in the 1966 Clint Eastwood movie The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, the title of which provides another phrase I often apply to poker. I find the version performed by the Danish National Symphony Orchestra to be especially interesting.
O.A.R., "That Was A Crazy Game of Poker"
Released in 2000 on The Wanderer album, this is one of a few great poker songs that is actually about poker. Inspired by Stephen King's novel The Stand, the song is about an epic card game with the devil. The lyrics include phrases like "well Johnny doubled up with a royal flush, I had three jacks and a pair of nines" and "gotta throw it all down and kiss it goodbye." The Hero ultimately loses everything, but the devil couldn't convince him to give up his soul.
The Eagles, "Desperado"
Released in 1973, "Desperado" is not usually considered a poker song. But its lyrics do seem to evoke a poker game: "Don't you draw the Queen of Diamonds, boy, she'll beat you if she's able," sings Don Henley. "You know the Queen of Hearts is always your best bet. Now it seems to me some fine things have been laid upon your table, but you only want the ones that you can't get."
The Alan Parsons Project, "The Turn of a Friendly Card"
Released in 1980, this concept album also included "Games People Play" and "Time" and centers around the temptations of gambling. Lyrics include "but the game never ends when your whole world depends on the turn of a friendly card."
Joe Bonamassa, "Just 'Cos You Can Don't Mean You Should"
Joe Bonamassa is one of the world's greatest blues guitarist, and this video should convince you of that. Released in 2018 on the album Redemption, the song is clearly about shoving our short stack with a Game Theory Optimal range.
Joe Bonamassa, "Just Got Paid"
More proof that Bonamassa is a great guitarist. "Just Got Paid" was first recorded by ZZ Top in 1972, but the Bonamassa version is the definitive one for me. First released on the 2007 album Shepherds Bush Empire, the song could be said to promote thin value betting on the river.
Jamia Simone Cash, "Raise it Up"
This remarkable gospel song is from the 2007 movie August Rush and features the voice of 11-year old Jamia Simone Cash. Among its other meanings, I like to think it extols the virtues of aggression in no-limit hold'em.
The Police, "Every Breath You Take"
This great song was released in 1983 on the Synchronicity album. "Every breath you take… every smile you fake… every claim you stake… I'll be watching you" all clearly refers to the importance of tells in poker.
Tommy Castro, "All About the Cash"
Tommy Castro is a great blues-rock guitarist who has been recording since 1994. "All About the Cash" was released in 2015 on his Method to My Madness album. This is my mantra when I am short stack near the bubble of a major live tournament.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "You Got Lucky"
Released in 1982 on the album Long After Dark, "You Got Lucky" is no doubt about protecting our fragile egos when our opponent hits his two-outer on the river.
Lady Gaga, "Poker Face"
Released in 2008 on her album The Fame,Lady Gaga's megahit reminds us of the importance of keeping a poker face without artificial aid like sunglasses and hoodies. "I wanna hold 'em like they do it Texas plays," she sings. "Fold 'em, let 'em, hit me, raise… No, he can't read my poker face."
Garth Brooks, "Two of a Kind, Workin' on a Full House"
Released in 1991 on his album No Fences, "Two of a Kind…" is a song about drawing to a full house on the river when our opponent has an obvious made flush. "Yeah, she's my lady luck. Hey, I'm her wild card man. Together we're building up a real hot hand," Brooks sings.
Eddy Clearwater, "Hard Way to Make an Easy Living"
Eddy Clearwater was a native Mississippian steeped in the tradition of Chicago blues. I could not find a video of this song, but the link above will take you to a site where you can sample 30 seconds of this marvelous track from his 1996 album Mean Case of the Blues. Clearly, blues and poker have a lot in common.
Dan Fogelberg, "There's a Place in the World for a Gambler"
Released in 1974 on the album Souvenirs, this is a song protesting the DOJ's attempt to outlaw internet poker. "There's a place in the world for a gambler, there's a burden that only he can bear," makes it clear how destructive the anti-poker lobby can be.
Conclusion
No doubt there are many other songs with which we can play this game. I hope you had as much fun watching these videos as I did tracking them down. What are some of your favorite "poker songs" that aren't necessarily about poker but nonetheless describe how you approach the game?
Steve Selbrede is the author of six poker books: The Statistics of Poker, Beat the Donks, Donkey Poker Volume 1: Preflop, Donkey Poker Volume 2: Postflop, Donkey Poker Volume 3: Hand Reading, and Tournament Poker for the Rest of Us.
