Motörhead released 23 studio albums, 10 live recordings, 12 compilation albums and five EPs over a career spanning 40 years. Usually a power trio, they had particular success in the early 1980s with several successful singles in the UK Top 40 chart. The albums Overkill, Bomber, Ace of Spades and, particularly, the live album No Sleep 'til Hammersmith cemented Motörhead's reputation as a top-tier rock band. The band are ranked number 26 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. As of 2016, they have sold more than 15 million albums worldwide.
Most often classified as heavy metal, Motörhead has been credited with being part of and influencing numerous musical scenes, thrash metal and speed metal especially. Lemmy, however, always insisted that they were a rock and roll band. He said that they had more in common with punk bands, but with their own unique sound, Motörhead is embraced in both punk and metal scenes. Their lyrics typically covered such topics as war, good versus evil, abuse of power, promiscuous sex, substance abuse and, most famously, gambling, the latter theme being the focus of their hit song "Ace of Spades".
Lemmy died on 28 December 2015 from cardiac arrhythmia and congestive heart failure, after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. The day after his death, drummer Mikkey Dee and guitarist Phil Campbell both confirmed that Motörhead had disbanded. By 2018, all three members of Motörhead's best-known line-up (Lemmy, Taylor and Clarke) had died.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motörhead
Discography
Motörhead (1977)
Overkill (1979)
Bomber (1979)
On Parole (1979)
Ace of Spades (1980)
Iron Fist (1982)
Another Perfect Day (1983)
Orgasmatron (1986)
Rock 'n' Roll (1987)
1916 (1991)
March ör Die (1992)
Bastards (1993)
Sacrifice (1995)
Overnight Sensation (1996)
Snake Bite Love (1998)
We Are Motörhead (2000)
Hammered (2002)
Inferno (2004)
Kiss of Death (2006)
Motörizer (2008)
The Wörld Is Yours (2010)
Aftershock (2013)
Bad Magic (2015)
All the Aces
Motörhead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not a businessman, I'm just in a good time band
You don't let no-one know, just where the money goes
Because of parasites, I ain't got no rights
All the aces, all the aces, all the aces
I don't like people who ain't got no faces
You know I don't know why you have to be so sly
But you get your share, though you ain't nowhere
You get no wiser, but then I despise you
All the aces, all the aces, all the aces
I don't like people who ain't got no faces
You know you're the boss, but I'm the one it costs
Gotta see the books, you give me dirty looks
Yeah, you make me vomit, and I ain't far from it
You know you can rob me, but you can't stop me
All the aces, all the aces, all the aces
I don't like people who ain't got faces
"All the Aces" by Motörhead is a scathing commentary on the music industry business and how it often results in exploitation and mistreatment of artists. The primary message of the song seems to be that even though the band might not be "businessmen," they still know that they're being taken advantage of by shadowy figures who are profiting from their hard work. The line "You don't let no-one know, just where the money goes" suggests that the band and others like them are kept in the dark about financial matters and are left to trust that those in charge have their best interests at heart. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that this trust is misplaced.
Lead singer Lemmy Kilmister's frustration with the industry is palpable throughout the song. He sings, "I found it hard to learn, I don't get what I earn / But you get your share, though you ain't nowhere," emphasizing the fact that he and his bandmates are being exploited for their talent while those in power are reaping the rewards without putting in any work. The song's final lines, "You know you can rob me, but you can't stop me / All the aces, all the aces, all the aces / I don't like people who ain't got faces," suggest a sense of defiance and determination on the part of the band. They may not have the power to fully resist the exploitation they face, but they won't give up without a fight.
Overall, "All the Aces" is a powerful and direct critique of the music business and the ways in which it can exploit and mistreat artists. Through its lyrics, the song conveys a sense of betrayal and anger at those who would seek to profit from the hard work of others.
Line by Line Meaning
The only thing I know, is playing rock 'n' roll
My only talent is playing music.
I'm not a businessman, I'm just in a good time band
I'm not interested in making money, I just want to play music and have a good time.
You don't let no-one know, just where the money goes
You keep your finances a secret from others.
Because of parasites, I ain't got no rights
I have no rights as a result of the people who exploit me.
All the aces, all the aces, all the aces
You hold all the power in this situation.
I don't like people who ain't got no faces
I don't trust people who are not transparent and honest.
You know I don't know why you have to be so sly
I don't understand why you have to be so sneaky and untrustworthy.
I found it hard to learn, I don't get what I earn
I struggle to receive fair compensation for my work.
But you get your share, though you ain't nowhere
You receive a portion of the profits even though you don't contribute anything to the band.
You get no wiser, but then I despise you
You don't become more knowledgeable or helpful, and it makes me hate you.
You know you're the boss, but I'm the one it costs
You are in charge, but I'm the one who pays the price for your actions.
Gotta see the books, you give me dirty looks
I need to see the financial records, but you're resistant and angry about it.
Yeah, you make me vomit, and I ain't far from it
Your actions make me sick to my stomach, and I'm close to throwing up.
You know you can rob me, but you can't stop me
You have the power to cheat me of my earnings, but you can't prevent me from playing my music.
All the aces, all the aces, all the aces
You have complete control of the situation.
I don't like people who ain't got faces
I don't trust people who are not transparent and honest.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Alan Clarke, Ian Kilmister, Philip John Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind