Harris is truly an innovator. For over 30 years, Emmylou has flowed effortlessly between genres achieving popularity in pop, folk, country and now alternative. The common bridge is an exquisite vocal style and a gift for discovering the heart of a song.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama on April 2, 1947, the daughter of Walter and Eugenia Harris grew up near Washington, D.C. As a college student in the late 60s, she sang with a local folk duo and eventually moved to Greenwich Village. She played the clubs on the local folk scene occasionally sharing the stage with Jerry Jeff Walker and David Bromberg.
Discovered in 1971 by Chris Hillman, Hillman brought Gram Parsons to hear her sing in a small club in the Washington D.C. area. In 1972, she answered the call from Gram to join him in Los Angeles to work on his first solo album, "GP." According to Songfacts, Parsons tragic early death in 1973 left Harris at an emotional and musical crossroads. Her earliest signature song, Boulder To Birmingham was written shortly after Gram's death, and it showed the depth of her shock and pain at losing her friend and mentor.
After the loss of Gram, Emmylou went back to the D.C. area and formed a country band, playing with them until her 1975 major label debut, Pieces of the Sky, when she formed the first version of the legendary Hot Band. Over the years the Hot Band included world class players such as Albert Lee, Rodney Crowell and Hank DeVito.
Emmylou has been called by Billboard Magazine a "truly venturesome, genre-transcending pathfinder." Throughout her career, she has been admired for her talent as an artist and song connoisseur, but it was with her 2000 album, Red Dirt Girl, for which Ms. Harris was awarded her tenth (out of eleven total to date) Grammy, that she revealed she is also a gifted songwriter. Continuing the trend with her September 2003 album, Stumble Into Grace, Emmylou wrote ten of the album's eleven tracks. Though Emmylou is the most admired and influential woman in contemporary country music, her scope extends far beyond it. She has recorded with such diverse artists as Ryan Adams, Beck, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, Lucinda Williams, Bob Dylan, Tammy Wynette, Neil Young, The Chieftains, Lyle Lovett, Roy Orbison, The Band, Willie Nelson and George Jones.
She sings with Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt on the incomparable albums Trio and Trio II, making all three artists living American legends.
A longtime social activist, Harris has lent her voice to many causes. She is active in cultural preservation issues, notably the Country Music Foundation and the Grand Ole Opry. As an animal rights activist and the owner of several dogs and cats, Emmylou also supports PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and the Humane Society. Since 1997 she has been the most visible spokesperson for the Campaign for a Landmine Free World, drawing public attention and notable musical artists to the cause.
Ooh Las Vegas
Emmylou Harris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh, Las Vegas ain't no place for a poor boy like me
Every time I hit your crystal city
You know you gonna make a wreck out of me
Well, the first time I lose I drink whiskey
Second time I lose I drink gin
Third time I lose I drink anything
Ooh, Las Vegas ain't no place for a poor boy like me, no
Ooh, Las Vegas ain't no place for a poor boy like me
Every time I hit your crystal city
You know you gonna make a wreck out of me
Well, the Queen of Spades is a friend of mine
The Queen of Hearts is a bitch
Someday when I clean up my mind
I'll find out which is which
Ooh, Las Vegas ain't no place for a poor boy like me
Ooh, Las Vegas ain't no place for a poor boy like me
Every time I hit your crystal city
You know you gonna make a wreck out of me
Well, I spend all night with the dealer
Trying to get ahead
Spend all day at the Holiday Inn
Trying to get out of bed
Ooh, Las Vegas ain't no place for a poor boy like me
Ooh, Las Vegas ain't no place for a poor boy like me
Every time I hit your crystal city
You know you gonna make a wreck out of me
Emmylou Harris's song, Ooh Las Vegas, is a melancholic tune that tells the story of a gambler who is drawn to the bright lights and excitement of Las Vegas, but also seems to understand that it's a dangerous place for him. The lyrics are full of vivid imagery that brings to life the singer's experience of the city. Harris's emotive and soulful voice perfectly captures the song's sense of longing and despair.
The singer of the song is a poor boy who is clearly out of his depth in Las Vegas. He knows that every time he visits the city he is setting himself up for a fall. The lyrics describe his attempts to win at the gambling tables, his frustration at losing and his attempt to drown his sorrows with alcohol. The Queen of Spades and the Queen of Hearts are both mentioned in the song, and the singer seems to be conflicted about his relationship with them.
The chorus of the song, "Ooh, Las Vegas ain't no place for a poor boy like me", serves as a warning to anyone who might be tempted to try their luck in the city. The song is a powerful reminder that sometimes, no matter how much we want something, it may not be good for us.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh, Las Vegas ain't no place for a poor boy like me
I'm just a poor man who can't handle the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas.
Every time I hit your crystal city
Whenever I come to Las Vegas
You know you gonna make a wreck out of me
I always end up losing everything and making a mess out of my life here.
Well, the first time I lose I drink whiskey
Whenever I lose money playing games, I start drinking whiskey to drown my sorrows.
Second time I lose I drink gin
When I lose again, I switch to gin to numb my pain.
Third time I lose I drink anything
And if I keep losing, I'll drink anything just to forget the pain and hope that I'll win next time.
'Cause I think I'm gonna win
I keep playing and gambling because I believe I'll eventually win and make everything right.
Well, the Queen of Spades is a friend of mine
I enjoy playing the Queen of Spades game, and I feel it's my friend because I've won before.
The Queen of Hearts is a bitch
But the Queen of Hearts game always makes me lose, and I hate it because it's hard to win.
Someday when I clean up my mind
I hope that one day, I'll stop the gambling and drinking and regain control over my life.
I'll find out which is which
And figure out which game to play and which to avoid to save myself from losing more money.
Well, I spend all night with the dealer
I play games all night long, trying to win and make money, even though I keep losing.
Trying to get ahead
I'm always hoping to make some cash and get ahead of my financial troubles.
Spend all day at the Holiday Inn
But during the day, I'm too hungover and depressed to leave my hotel room at the Holiday Inn.
Trying to get out of bed
All I can do is lie in bed, trying to get myself together and face the reality of my losses and failures.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GRAM PARSONS, RIK GRECH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind