The name comes from the bouffant wigs that are part of the band's distinctive look, worn by singers Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson. Along with Wilson and Pierson, fellow vocalist Fred Schneider, drummer (and later guitarist) Keith Strickland, and guitarist Ricky Wilson (Cindy's older brother) formed the band after a drunken night at a Chinese restaurant. They shared a passion for mixing and matching older styles with a partying, good-time public image, which set them apart from many staid 70s contemporaries.
Their sound is particularly marked by the vocals of Wilson and Pierson, with Kate singing in a slightly deeper voice, along with the generally monotone or spoken-word vocals of Schneider. Aside from their vocals, the band also had a unique New Wave sound that was a combination of 50s and 60s dance music and surf rock, and the unusual guitar-string tunings utilized by Ricky Wilson. Although a clear part of said movement, their music was more experimental than most new wave groups, indulging in all manner of odd vocal and synthesizer effects. The B-52's created a quirky dance vibe that became very popular and their tours have been successful for decades.
Website= http://theb52s.com/
Queen of Las Vegas
The B-52's Lyrics
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Rockin' on the roulette wheel
Momma grabbed my hand
She was about to die
And she said, "Child, I never been around you much
But I want to give you one thing
Oh, your father was a one-eyed jack of hearts
With diamonds and an ace up his sleeve
I got the plan, I got the plan."
Momma give me your blessing
So I can be stronger
Queen of Las Vegas
Queen of Las Vegas
Don't leave me
Queen of Las Vegas
Queen of Las Vegas
Come here again
MY momma she grabbed my hand
She looked at me with a bittersweet smile
She said, "Throw 'em a mile!"
Oh! Momma! I got the system!
Oh, oh, oh Momma, I understand the plan
Give me your blessing so I can be stronger
Help me to grow up and be the Queen
Queen of Las Vegas, Queen of Las Vegas
Queen of Las Vegas (Don't leave me!)
Queen of Las Vegas, Queen of Las Vegas
Queen of Las Vegas
The B-52's "Queen of Las Vegas" tells a story of a young woman whose mother is on her deathbed in Las Vegas. The mother reveals to her daughter that her father was a gambler and had a system for winning at the casino. She then passes on this secret to her daughter and blesses her to become the new "Queen of Las Vegas." The daughter, determined to carry on her father's legacy, takes on the challenge of using her father's system to become the new gambling queen of Las Vegas.
The lyrics present an interesting contrast between life and death, as well as success and failure. The daughter's mother is dying, but she passes on something that could potentially bring her daughter a great deal of success. The daughter also has the challenge of surpassing her father's success, but must also deal with the potential for failure, as her father's secret may not work for her.
The song also has an upbeat, disco sound that contrasts with the serious tone of the lyrics. This is typical of The B-52's, who often had quirky and playful music that contrasted with their often-dark lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Momma!
The singer's mother is present with her at a casino.
Rockin' on the roulette wheel
They are gambling at a game of roulette.
Momma grabbed my hand
The singer's mother physically takes hold of her hand.
She was about to die
The singer's mother is near the end of her life.
And she said, "Child, I never been around you much
The mother is acknowledging that she hasn't been present in the singer's life.
But I want to give you one thing
Despite this, she wants to impart something important to her child.
Oh, your father was a one-eyed jack of hearts
The mother reveals a significant info about the singer's father, that he had an eye patch and was good at playing cards.
With diamonds and an ace up his sleeve
He cheated at cards by hiding good cards up his sleeve.
Let me tell you I got the system
The mother believes she has a way of winning at the casino.
I got the plan, I got the plan.
She has a strategy for gambling.
Momma give me your blessing
The singer asks for her mother's approval.
So I can be stronger
The singer believes that her mother's blessing will help her feel more capable.
Queen of Las Vegas
The singer wants to be known as the Queen of Las Vegas, suggesting a desire for power and influence.
Don't leave me
The singer wants her mother to stay with her and not die.
Come here again
Later on, the singer seems to be recalling another moment with her mother.
MY momma she grabbed my hand
Similar to earlier, her mother physically takes her hand.
She looked at me with a bittersweet smile
The mother appears to be filled with both happiness and sadness.
She said, "Throw 'em a mile!"
The mother encourages the singer to keep winning at gambling.
Oh! Momma! I got the system!
The singer is excited to have figured out how to win at the casino.
Oh, oh, oh Momma, I understand the plan
The singer is confident in her gambling strategy.
Give me your blessing so I can be stronger
The singer still desires her mother's approval and support.
Help me to grow up and be the Queen
She wants to mature and become powerful like the Queen of Las Vegas.
Queen of Las Vegas, Queen of Las Vegas
The singer still desires the same power and influence as before.
Queen of Las Vegas (Don't leave me!)
The singer is still clinging to the hope that her mother won't leave her.
Queen of Las Vegas, Queen of Las Vegas
Repeating this idea emphasizes its importance.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CATHERINE ELIZABETH PIERSON, FREDERICK WILLIAM III SCHNEIDER, KEITH STRICKLAND, CYNTHIA LEIGH WILSON, RICKY HELTON WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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