In continuation with my previous post about heavy metal pioneer Black Sabbath, I have another legendary heavy metal band for the 'Song of the Day'.
I had the privilage of watching them live at a music festival in Toronto. At that time, I wasn't familiar with their music or history but when I heard the band's performance, I realized I had to dig deeper into the history and discography of the band. I was also affected by the reaction from the crowd: it was full of spirit and vigor -- a thriling experience indeed.
British rock band Motörhead, led by bassist, singer-songwriter Ian Fraser "Lemmy" Kilmister is credited for re-energising the heavy metal wave in the late '70s and early '80s. By blending heavy metal with the fusion of punk rock, Motörhead helped to pioneer and influence heavy metal subgenres, thrash metal and speed metal.
The band has gone through several line-up changes with Lemmy Kilmister as the constant member.
During Kilmister's younger years, he developed an addiction to gambling, specifically to the slot machines, that never stopped as he aged. In fact, it is suggested by some that Kilmister's nickname "Lemmy" originated during those years: when he was young, he would often ask, "Lemmy [lend me] a quid 'til Friday", so that he can feed his addiction on the slot machines.
"Ace of Spades" is an ode to risking everything for the trill of gambling. Anybody familiar with Motörhead will agree that this song is the definite anthem of the band.
Motörhead - Ace of Spades
Lyrics:
If you like to gamble, I tell you I'm your man
You win some, lose some, it's all the same to me
The pleasure is to play, makes no difference what you say
I don't share your greed, the only card I need is
The Ace Of Spades, The Ace Of Spades
Playing for the high one, dancing with the devil
Going with the flow, it's all a game to me
Seven or Eleven, snake eyes watching you
Double up or quit, double stake or split
The Ace Of Spades, The Ace Of Spades
You know I'm born to lose, and gambling's for fools
But that's the way I like it baby
I don't wanna live forever
And don't forget the joker!
Pushing up the ante, I know you wanna 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
Here is an acoustic bluesy slowed down version with Kilmister on vocals and harmonica and Phil "Wizzö" Campbell on acoustic guitar.
Motörhead - Ace of Spades (Acoustic Version)
On December 28, 2015, Lemmy passed at age 70 after a short battle with an aggressive form of prostate cancer and a heart failure.
"Death is an inevitability, isn't it? You become more aware of that when you get to my age. I don't worry about it. I'm ready for it. When I go, I want to go doing what I do best. If I died tomorrow, I couldn't complain. It's been good." ~ Lemmy Kilmister.
Finally, we'll be listening to an example of how 'Ace of Spades' by Motörhead was sampled for a Hip-Hop song called "Crook Catastrophe & The Gunblast Kid" by Kool G Rap and Necro, also collectively known as The Godfathers.
The Godfathers - Crook Catastrophe & The Gunblast Kid
Previous Song of the Day
- Melvin Bliss - Synthetic Substitution (1973)
- David Matthews - Dune Part II: Sandworms (1977)
- Herb Alpert - Rise (1979)
- Lamont Dozier - The Picture Will Never Change (1974) / Shine (1974) / Prelude & Rose (1974)
- Charles Manson - Unplugged 9.11.67 Volume 1 (1967)
- Hodges, James, & Smith - Sexy Ways (1975) / Signal Your Intention (1973)
- DeBarge - "I Like It" (1982)
- The Roots feat. Bilal - It Ain't Fair (2017)
- Lonnie Liston Smith - Summer Nights (1975) / A Garden of Peace (1983)
- The Avalanches ft. Sonny Cheeba of Camp Lo - Because I'm Me (2016)