Born in Leno, Tennessee, Wright, as a youngster, began singing in the church. In 1956, while still in high school, he joined The Sunset Travelers as one of the lead singers for the gospel group. He later fronted a gospel music group, the Harmony Echoes. It was during this time that he was discovered (along with James Carr) by Roosevelt Jamison a songwriter and manager. Their first pop recording in 1964 was "That's How Strong My Love Is," a ballad later covered by Otis Redding and the Rolling Stones. It was issued on Goldwax, the label Wright signed to after leaving his gospel career. It was later determined that Don Robey still had him under a recording contract, due to his gospel group having recorded for Peacock. After his contract was shifted to Don Robey’s Back Beat label, further R&B hits followed. Working with record producer Willie Mitchell, success continued on songs including "Ace of Spades" and "A Nickel and a Nail".
Wright's hits were much more popular in the deep South. His biggest hits were "You're Gonna Make Me Cry" (R&B #6, 1965), "Eight Men, Four Women" (R&B #4, 1967) "Ace of Spades" (R&B #11, 1970), "A Nickel and a Nail" (R&B #19, 1971). The remainder of his 17 hits charted higher than #20 on the R&B charts.
However, Wright was imprisoned for narcotics offenses during the mid-1970s, and, despite signing for Hi Records and releasing a series of recordings, his commercial success failed to recover after his release. A continuing drug problem weakened his health and he died from a heart attack, in Mobile, Alabama at age 41.
Wright is among the most remembered voices of soul music, perhaps mostly for being sampled frequently in hip hop music. In 1996, his song, "Motherless Child" was sampled on the Ghostface Killah album Ironman on a song also called "Motherless Child." It and another Wright recording, "Let's Straighten It Out" have been published on Shaolin Soul, a compilation of tracks that have been sampled by the Wu Tang Clan and its members. "Let's Straighten It Out" was sampled in a Wu-Tang Clan song called "America" from the charity compilation album America Is Dying Slowly. "Ace of Spades" was sampled by Slim Thug and the Boss Hogg Outlawz on a song named "Recognize A Playa".
Johnny Rawls joined Wright's backing band in the mid-1970s, and played together with Wright until the latter's death in 1980. The band then continued billed as the O.V. Wright Band for another 13 years, and toured and performed with other musicians over this time span. These included B.B. King, Little Milton, Bobby Bland, Little Johnny Taylor, and Blues Boy Willie.
Ace of Spades
O.V. Wright Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
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
In O.V. Wright's "Ace of Spades," the lyrics describe a gambling lifestyle that could be interpreted as a metaphor for life itself. The singer seems to be a seasoned gambler who is confident in his abilities and not bothered by winning or losing; rather, he just enjoys the thrill of participating in the game. He recognizes that life is a precarious game of chance, but he's willing to take risks anyway. He knows that he can't win all the time and that eventually, he will lose it all.
The lyrics allude to the idea that there are some things that people can't control, and it's best to just go with the flow. The singer doesn't care about any external factors or even the opinions of others. He just enjoys playing the game and using his strategy to come out on top. He revels in the joy of taking chances, and he doesn't want to live forever, so he might as well enjoy what he can while he's here. The singer recognizes that the Ace of Spades is the most powerful card, which implies a certain level of control and authority over his life. Even though he might be doomed to lose everything eventually, he takes pleasure in being the one holding the Ace of Spades.
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 person you should approach.
You win some, lose some, all the same to me,
I experience no preference in either winning or losing, as they are equal to me.
The pleasure is to play, makes no difference what you say,
I find joy in gaming, regardless of any opinion or criticism you might express.
I don't share your greed, the only card I need is
The Ace Of Spades
My interests in this game differ from yours, and I require only the Ace of Spades to succeed.
Playing for the high one, dancing with the devil,
Engaging in an ambiguous game, that could lead to great victory or defeat.
Going with the flow, it's all the same to me,
I feel no inclination to control the situation and am content with whatever happens.
Seven or Eleven, snake eyes watching you,
There is an element of danger and surprise, as the roll of dice can result in a win or loss.
Double up or quit, double stake or split,
Gamblers have a chance to take a bigger risk or leave with their winnings, having to make a decisive choice.
The Ace Of Spades
Applies throughout the chorus as a card that represents the gambler's desired winning outcome.
You know I'm born to lose, and gambling's for fools,
I understand that I may not be successful in this game, and it is only naive individuals who take part in gambling.
But that's the way I like it baby,
Despite the unfavorable odds, I still find enjoyment in gambling.
I don't wanna live forever,
I am not motivated by the desire to live a long life.
And don't forget the joker!
An additional card that could either help or harm the gambler's chances of winning.
Pushing up the ante, I know you've got to see me,
I am raising the stakes of the game, making the other player recognize my presence.
Read 'em and weep, the dead man's hand again,
My hand is so good that it seems unbeatable, a reference to Wild Bill Hicock, who was shot and killed while holding this hand.
I see it in your eyes, take one look and die,
The other player cannot conceal their fear upon seeing how good my hand is and most likely will fail.
The only thing you see, you know it's gonna be,
The Ace Of Spades
The outcome of this game is predetermined, and the only thing the other player will see is the Ace of Spades, ensuring my victory.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DON ROBEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@april1969simnel
I know this song because my mom ran a soul music record shop in the early 1970s, and she'd have this, among other songs, blasting though the store. I don't think I've heard this for 46. 47 years. I wasn't even in school yet. The good stuff sticks in your head and heart, though.
@agelessbeauty9136
It’s 2024 I’m still listening to this I’m 62 years old
@djsmoothc39able
This is so hard 🔥🔥🔥
@Multi1628
~ 1970 & The Marvelous BACK BEAT record label!! O.V. Wright was always a jukebox favourite in the 1960s and 1970s, and is still fresh in 2018 obviously! R.I.P. O.V. Wright, an enduring and wonderful r&b icon! Cheers, DAVEDJ ~
@jaya1000
Keep this tune in your head whenever gambling
@b.rodclark7349
The omitted line from this 1970 song goes: 'There are some men who call themselves a king/ all they want out of life, a Cadillac and a diamond ring/ there are weaker men who call themselves a jack/ they fall in love oh and they never get back/ look, from the 9 to the 10...'
@korancebland
HBO'S "The Deuce" brought me here. Great song, great show"
@bevzilla8863
Badass scene.
@laurenrzempoluch7647
BIG K N.F.L. ME too excellent
@seventyninestudios
This song is awesome. I can't stop listening or bobbing my head.