The time: Fall 1993
The place: The former Dispatch Laundry Co. and home to one "Pistol" Pete Midtgard, located in a Detroit neighborhood it's residents affectionately refer to as, "Ghetto Heights"
The result: The formation of the Twistin' Tarantulas, a hard-edged, roots-driven, Rock n' Roll band with the intensity of a five-alarm blaze, the conviction of a sinner at the gates of heaven, and an attitude of, well, a band from Detroit!
Since their forming, the band has gone from a Sunday night side project to a full-time nationally touring act with four CDs of all original material. They've been north to Alaska, south to Key West, east to Helsinki, west to L.A. and everywhere else in-between. They have sold records throughout the world without the aid of a record label and have had their music used for MTV's "Real World" and "Road Rules," two movies, and several other TV and radio shows.
Musically, the band journeys across the American musical landscape, playing mostly their own material. They play a hybrid of Jump-Blues and Rockabilly with a old school Punk edge, avoiding most of the cliché associated with Rockabilly bands. (This is no 50s dog-n-pony show) When they do cover songs, expect the unexpected. On any given night you'll hear: Elvis, Bill Haley, Johnny Cash, Tom Waits, Bauhaus, Misfits, Motörhead, AC/DC, Ramones, and even Kiss.
What started out as a band with a mission, has ended up being a man with a mission. Pistol Pete Midtgard, the lead singer, upright bassist, and main creative force is also the sole survivor of the original line-up. Like his idol, Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister of Motörhead, Pete's name and his band's name have become synonymous. For 25 years, Pete has maintained a standard of intensity and musicianship through death (RIP Ready Freddy Spencer, Brad Helner, Mickey Stevens), desertion, and even his own battle with cancer. -Like the old man and the sea, he refuses to give up.
All the aforementioned information becomes apparent when you see the band live. Every year of experience, every twist and turn of their sordid course, and every tear of joy or sadness ever shed comes through in their performance. No wardrobe stylist, no make-up artist, no choreographer, and no gimmicks, -just three men telling their story and expressing themselves through their music.
Website: The Twistin' Tarantulas
Ace of Spades
The Twistin' Tarantulas 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,
Going with the flow, it's all the same to me,
Seven or Eleven, snake eyes watching you,
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 Twistin' Tarantulas song "Ace of Spades" is an ode to gambling and taking risks. The song is opened with the lines "If you like to gamble, I tell you I'm your man, you win some, lose some, all the same to me," which speaks of the thrill of taking chances and how victory or defeat does not matter as long as you keep playing the game. The pleasure of playing is emphasized through the line "The pleasure is to play, makes no difference what you say," which suggests that the thrill of the game is what matters, not the opinion of others. The lyrics also show that the singer is unlike the other gamblers who are all driven by greed, as he "doesn't share their greed" and only needs "The Ace of Spades."
Moreover, the song is broken into verses that speak of playing different types of games of chance such as "Playing for the high one, dancing with the devil" and "Seven or Eleven, snake eyes watching you," and the risks that come with them. It shows that the singer is unafraid of losing as he is ready to go all in with lines like "Double up or quit, double stake or split." The chorus that repeats after each verse emphasizes the importance of the Ace of Spades to the singer as he fuels his gambling addiction.
In essence, "Ace of Spades" is a song celebrating the thrill of taking chances and living on the edge of success and failure. It highlights the importance of embracing risk in life and reminds us that sometimes it requires a certain fearlessness to win.
Line by Line Meaning
If you like to gamble, I tell you I'm your man,
I am a person who loves to gamble and will be your partner in it.
You win some, lose some, all the same to me,
I am indifferent to winning or losing in gambling.
The pleasure is to play, makes no difference what you say,
I enjoy playing, no matter what anyone else thinks.
I don't share your greed, the only card I need is
I am not as greedy as you and only need one card to win.
The Ace Of Spades
I only need the Ace of Spades to win.
Playing for the high one, dancing with the devil,
I am risking a lot in this game, like dancing with the devil himself.
Going with the flow, it's all the same to me,
I am flexible and not attached to any particular outcome.
Seven or Eleven, snake eyes watching you,
I am playing a game of luck and chance, and even the rolling of the dice is watched by a snake.
Double up or quit, double stake or split,
I am willing to risk more by doubling up or splitting my bets.
The Ace Of Spades
Again, I only need the Ace of Spades to win.
You know I'm born to lose, and gambling's for fools,
I know I am not good at gambling, but I still enjoy it.
But that's the way I like it baby,
Even though I know I'm not good at gambling, I still enjoy it.
I don't wanna live forever,
I do not have an attachment to living forever.
And don't forget the joker!
Do not forget the wild card or the unexpected element in this game of chance.
Pushing up the ante, I know you've got to see me,
I am increasing the stakes and I know you cannot resist the chance to play with me.
Read 'em and weep, the dead man's hand again,
I have a very strong hand and you will undoubtedly lose to me.
I see it in your eyes, take one look and die,
I can tell by looking at your eyes that you have lost the game.
The only thing you see, you know it's gonna be,
The only thing you can see is that I am going to win with the Ace of Spades.
The Ace Of Spades
Once again, all I need is the Ace of Spades to win.
Writer(s): Edward Clarke, Ian Kilmister, Philip Taylor
Contributed by Alyssa J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.