Ace of Spades
Blackness Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You win some, lose some, it's all the same to me
The pleasure is to play, it 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
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'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
In "Ace of Spades," Blackness presents a bold, anarchic philosophy of life through a metaphor of gambling. The singer claims he is "born to lose" and has accepted gambling and taking risks as an integral part of his identity. He is the man to go to if you want to gamble, as he enjoys the thrill of playing and does not mind losing. The metaphors used in the song are particularly striking, with gambling as a metaphor for life and the ace of spades as the ultimate card to have, representing power, risk and the dark unknown.
The lyrics "Playing for the high one, dancing with the devil" evoke the idea of taking big risks, even if that means tempting fate or risking your soul. The repeated phrase "The ace of spades" reinforces the concept of power and control throughout the song. The singer acknowledges that gambling is for fools, but he revels in his own foolishness, taking pleasure in the risk-taking and living life on his own terms. The song ends with the dead man's hand, a two-pair poker hand consisting of black aces and black eights which legendary gambler Wild Bill Hickok is said to have had in his hand when he was shot dead, once again reinforcing the theme of risk and the possibility of death.
Line by Line Meaning
If you like to gamble, I tell you I'm your man
I am the person to turn to if you enjoy taking risks
You win some, lose some, it's all the same to me
I am indifferent to both success and failure
The pleasure is to play, it makes no difference what you say
I derive satisfaction solely from participating, regardless of what you may think or say
I don't share your greed, the only card I need is
Unlike you, I am not motivated by avarice, and require only one specific card
The ace of spades
I require the ace of spades to consider my hand complete
Playing for the high one, dancing with the devil
I am willing to risk it all for a chance at a significant reward, even if it means flirting with danger
Going with the flow, it's all a game to me
I am relaxed and unbothered, treating this risky behavior as a form of entertainment
Seven or eleven, snake eyes watching you
The unpredictability of the roll keeps you on edge
Double up or quit, double stake or split
I am not content with small winnings, and will increase my bet to maximize my potential earnings
The ace of spades
I still require the ace of spades to complete my hand
You know I'm born to lose
I am acutely aware of my history of losses and general misfortune
And gambling's for fools
I am aware that the likelihood of success is slim, but I am willing to take the risk regardless
But that's the way I like it, baby
Despite the potential for failure or negative consequences, I find the act of gambling to be enjoyable and rewarding
I don't wanna live forever
I understand that life is short and unpredictable, and am willing to take risks for a chance at a better outcome
And don't forget the joker
I recognize the additional risk involved with the inclusion of the joker card
Pushing up the ante, I know you've got to see me
I am deliberately raising the stakes, confident that you will continue to play against me
Read 'em and weep, the dead man's hand again
I have received a historically unlucky combination of cards, causing you to pity or mock me
I see it in your eyes, take one look and die
Your disbelief or pity at my hand only fuels my determination to succeed
The only thing you see, you know it's gonna be
Despite my losing history and current hand, I am confident and certain of my victory through the power of the ace of spades
The ace of spades
The ace of spades remains the one card necessary for me to win
Contributed by Luke A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.