Darin was a very special and talented entertainer. He was a Grammy award winning singer ('Mack The Knife'), a respected member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ('Dream Lover', 'Splish Splash', 'If I Were A Carpenter') a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a successful record producer, an Oscar nominated actor and a strong supporter of the American Heart Association. Bobby was married to actress Sandra Dee from 1960-1967. They had one son, Dodd, born in December 1961. As a result of complications from a rheumatic heart, Bobby's life was tragically cut short in 1973.
Darin's mother, Vanina Cassotto, had given birth to him when she was 16, and as a result, her parents raised Darin as though he were their son while Vanina was presented off as his elder sister. Darin did not learn the truth about his parentage until he was 32.
For more on Bobby Darin, watch "Beyond the Sea," in which Kevin Spacey portrays the entertainer.
Ace In The Hole
Bobby Darin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who think they're mighty wise
Just because they know a thing or two.
You'll meet them night and day
Strollin' up and down Broadway
Telling of the wonders they can do.
There's con men and there's boosters.
They congregate around the Metropole.
If I knew what that meant I would agree with him.
They wear flashy ties and collars.
Yes, but where do they get there dollars?
They all have got an ace down in the hole.
Yes, and some of them write
To the old folks for coin
And that is their ace in the hole.
And others have friends on the old Tenderloin
That's their old ace in the hole.
Why, they'll tell you of trips
That they're going to make
From Florida
To the North Pole.
Why they will brag about trips
They're gonna make
Over to Florida
All the way up to the North Pole.
But, their names would be mud.
Like a chump playin' stud.
If they lost
That old ace
Ace in the hole.
The song "Ace In The Hole" by Bobby Darin, is a commentary on the false bravado of the men who think they are wise, and strut on Broadway in search of mischief. They are con men, card sharks, and crapshooters who indulge in the most wicked of activities. They spend much of their time congregating around the Metropole, a place where one is prone to encounter less than decent people.
The town is full of such men, and they all wear flashy ties and collars, which they no doubt bought with their ill-gotten gains. The singer of the song is aware of their ways, but he also acknowledges that these blackguards all have an ace down in the hole, something they can fall back upon when the going gets tough. Some of them rely on their old folks for money while others have friends on the Tenderloin, and these acts serve as their aces in the hole. The song portrays the men as hollow, and they can only boast about trips that they will never take because they do not have the money to carry them off.
Line by Line Meaning
This town is full of guys
There are many men in this town
Who think they're mighty wise
They consider themselves intelligent
Just because they know a thing or two.
Merely because they have some knowledge.
You'll meet them night and day
You'll encounter them constantly.
Strollin' up and down Broadway
Walking on Broadway.
Telling of the wonders they can do.
They talk about the marvellous things they can do.
There's con men and there's boosters.
There are con artists and promoters
There's card sharks and crapshooters.
There are gamblers who cheat and play dice.
They congregate around the Metropole.
They gather around the Metropole.
If I knew what that meant I would agree with him.
The meaning of this line is unknown or ambiguous.
They wear flashy ties and collars.
They wear extravagant ties and collars.
Yes, but where do they get there dollars?
How do they obtain their money?
They all have got an ace down in the hole.
They all have a hidden advantage.
Yes, and some of them write
Some of them compose
To the old folks for coin
Money from elderly individuals.
And that is their ace in the hole.
That is their secret advantage.
And others have friends on the old Tenderloin
Others have connections in the seedy part of town.
That's their old ace in the hole.
That is their old secret advantage.
Why, they'll tell you of trips
They will tell you about vacations and intended journeys.
That they're going to make
That they are planning to take.
From Florida to the North Pole.
From Florida to the North Pole.
Why they will brag about trips
They will boast of their journeys.
They're gonna make
They intend to take.
Over to Florida all the way up to the North Pole.
From Florida to the North Pole.
But, their names would be mud.
Their reputation would be ruined.
Like a chump playin' stud.
Like a foolish gambler.
If they lost that old ace.
If they lost their hidden advantage.
Ace in the hole.
Their secret advantage.
Lyrics © PAUL RODRIGUEZ MUSIC LTD.
Written by: GEORGE MITCHELL (DP), JAMES DEMPSEY (DP), KENNY BALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daniel
on Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home
One heck of a entertainer. A life cut way to soon. RIP Mr. Darin. Remember one thing he was one of the first Emmy winners, in the late 50s. When the emmys started.