Initially released as a 7" vinyl single on October 27, 1980 as a preview to the album Ace of Spades and autumn tour, Bronze Records also released a 12" vinyl pressing in special 'Christmas' picture sleeves, limited to 50,000 copies. The picture of the band in Santa outfits used on the cover was taken while the band were on tour at the Aylesbury Fair. In November the song reached #15 in the UK Singles Chart.The song is considered to be the definitive Motörhead anthem, and "put a choke on the English music charts and proved to all that a band could succeed without sacrificing its blunt power and speed".
Bronze also issued German and Spanish 7" vinyl versions which had a different sleeves, as well as a Japanese import, with a colour picture insert with song lyrics in English and Japanese. One sided test pressings (not mis-presses, used in the trade) escaped the pressing plant and are on the market.
For the lyrics, Lemmy said he "used gambling metaphors, mostly cards and dice - when it comes to that sort of thing, I'm more into the one-arm bandits actually, but you can't really sing about spinning fruit, and the wheels coming down".
On September 6, 1980 Lemmy was interviewed by Graham Neil on BBC Radio 1's Rock On Saturday show, "Bomber", "Ace of Spades" and "Love Me Like a Reptile" were played. The following month, on October 6 and October 20, the band played the song on BBC TV show Top of the Pops.
In 1988 another recording of the song was released - Ace of Spades (live) - and later withdrawn.
In September 1993 WGAF Records re-released the original 1980s track on CD-single, cassette single, 12" vinyl picture sleeve and picture disc versions, the song was covered with "Louie Louie", "Dirty Love", and "Ace of Spades (The CCN Remix)", and although the band were not too pleased with the CCN Remix version, this single reached #23 in the UK charts.
The song ranked in at #10 on VH1's 40 Greatest Metal Songs. In March 2005, Q magazine placed it at #27 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks.
Ace of Spades
Mot%C3%B6rhead 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
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'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
The lyrics of Motörhead's "Ace of Spades" revolve around the concept of gambling and taking risks. The vocalist is positioning himself as someone who is not afraid of taking risks, and who enjoys the thrill of the game more than the end result. He suggests that he is not motivated by greed or material gain, but rather by the sheer pleasure of playing. The chorus emphasizes the importance of the ace of spades, suggesting that it is the only card he needs to succeed.
The second verse continues with the gambling theme, with the singer describing how he is playing for high stakes and willing to dance with the devil. He uses gambling metaphors to emphasize the unpredictable nature of life, suggesting that it is all just one big game. The bridge suggests that he is aware that gambling is dangerous, and even foolish, but he embraces it as a way of life. The reference to the joker in the final line is a nod to the unpredictable element in the game of poker, which could ultimately lead to his downfall.
Line by Line Meaning
If you like to gamble, I tell you I'm your man
If you enjoy taking risks, then I am the right person to accompany you.
You win some, lose some, it's all the same to me
Sometimes, luck works in your favor, or sometimes it doesn't, but it makes no difference to me.
The pleasure is to play, it makes no difference what you say
The thrill of playing is what I enjoy, regardless of what anyone else thinks or says.
I don't share your greed, the only card I need is
The ace of spades
The ace of spades
I am not motivated by the same greed as you, and the only card that matters to me is the ace of spades.
Playing for the high one, dancing with the devil
I take risks and play for high stakes, even if it means putting myself in a dangerous situation.
Going with the flow, it's all a game to me
I am relaxed and flexible, taking everything as part of the game without getting worked up about it.
Seven or eleven, snake eyes watching you
I am playing a game of chance, with odds stacked against me, and I will not let that intimidate me.
Double up or quit, double stake or split
I am willing to take even greater risks, either by doubling down or cutting my losses.
You know I'm born to lose
And gambling's for fools
I have always been destined to lose, and those who gamble their money and lives are equally foolish.
But that's the way I like it, baby
I don't wanna live forever
Despite the risks and losses, I enjoy gambling and taking chances, because it adds spice to my otherwise mundane life.
And don't forget the joker
Remember, there always exists an unpredictable factor that can sway the outcome of any game.
Pushing up the ante, I know you've got to see me
I am raising the stakes and making it impossible for you to ignore me, forcing you to take notice of me.
Read 'em and weep, the dead man's hand again
I have an unbeatable hand, and you will soon regret crossing me.
I see it in your eyes, take one look and die
I can sense your fear and uncertainty, and I will use it to my advantage to emerge victorious.
The only thing you see, you know it's gonna be
The ace of spades
The ace of spades
No matter how hard you try or what you do, the only thing you will see and remember is the ace of spades, the ultimate symbol of my victory.
Contributed by Cooper W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@lucip4011
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 want to live forever
And don't forget the joker
Pushing up the ante
I know you 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, uh
@organickevinlondon
it's in my "top 3 Rock songs of all time"
along with Deep Purple, Smoke on the Water,
and the Cult, She Sells Sanctuary,
ALL 3 of them, have instantly recognisable, unique, guitar intros.
(I originate from Staffordshire, the home of Motorhead
and when I created, the MOST ECO FRIENDLY, HARDCORE, EARTHY,
organic produce, home delivery company in London, back in 2003,
my company's carefully thought out logo was "the Ace of Spades",
my "company??" consisted of just 2 people,
me, someone that had risked their life TWICE to successfully save 2 peoples lives,
and suffers from DOUBLE P.T.S.D, because of THAT
and spent time in prison as an innocent person,
and my best mate Robin a fully qualified Aerobatics pilot,
who spent many years wrongfully banged up in Mental Hospitals,
when I showed Robin, the "Ace of Spades" company logo,
he just said to me "THAT is FUCKING AWESOME"
fully understanding the link between organic farmers,
the phrase "Ace of Spades", Motorhead's EARTHYNESS,
my companies no nonsense Eco friendliness and my Staffordshire heritage,
I'm sure that Lemmy, Fast Eddie and Filthy Animal Taylor,
would have approved of THAT logo too).
@0527jose
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 want to live forever
And don't forget the joker
Pushing up the ante
I know you 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, uh
@HertzVillegasC
If you like to gamble, I tell you I'm your man
You win some, lose some, 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
7 or 11, 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 for ever
And don't forget the Joker!
Pushing up the ante, I know you 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!
Ha!
*********
THNX FN' MOTÖRHEAD!!! \m/
@mayrebap
Lemmys' voice sounds like a pack of cigarettes & a bottle of Jack Daniels suddenly started talking
@davidhardin6649
😂😂
@amirfaisal3329
What about heroine?
@sarahwagneryost
Amir faisal that too
@jeim5480
A pack Marlboro reds actually
@joyjr91_
@@amirfaisal3329 Nah man Lemmy wasn’t into downers, he preferred the adrenaline kinds such as speed/meth. You can literally make it out by listening to the kind of music they made.
@rabmcnair4488
This song is the speed at which Lemmy lived his life, full throttle and no stopping.
@anotherbigfootwithinternet2147
One of the best ways to live life.
@BayernMunchenFan11
@@anotherbigfootwithinternet2147 and lived to 70 too boot. literally lived hard and toured until he died. mad respect.
@mufalonami2282
FUCK YESSS!!!!!