Born 1943, Yorkshire, UK, Christie started his musical life in 1960 in a duo called the Grant Brothers, and until 1969 he simply fronted bands. In 1969 he signed up with MCA Records. Hits such as Amarillo and I Did What I Did for Maria followed.
Christie sold over 10 million records in the 70s. The 80s saw a slowdown due to changing musical taste, however he was awarded Die Golden Europa by German radio for superb showmanship.
The 90s led to more hits such as the song Sweet September and the Jarvis Cocker song Walk like a Panther.
Peter Kay brought Christie to a whole new generation of youth with the song (Is This the Way To) Amarillo and Avenues and Alleyways.
Christie is still going strong and he got into the football spirit with (Is This the Way To) The World Cup.
Las Vegas
Tony Christie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
but the devil made Las Vegas!
Oh Las Vegas, you'll be the death of me,
city of sin oh what a mess I'm in,
look what you've done to me
Oh Las Vegas, I'm losing everything,
Hey Las Vegas, can nothing save us from you?
Night after night, watching the wheel go round
Hey Las Vegas the devil gave us to you,
One of these days, I'm gonna burn you down
One black Sunday, I came to visit you,
just for a day, to pass some time away and shoot a game or two
Oh Las Vegas that was a year ago,
what can I do you've got me hooked on you and I can never go
The lyrics of Tony Christie’s song, “Las Vegas” convey a story of a person who has lost everything in the city of sin, but still finds it impossible to leave. The lyrics start with a declaration that the world was made for mankind by the Lord up above, but the devil made Las Vegas. This statement implies the idea that the city is full of temptations and vices that are hard to resist. The following lines emphasize the destructive nature of Las Vegas, where the singer realizes that he is sinking deeper into the mess of the city. The subsequent lines further highlight the helpless situation of the singer, who is losing everything in the game.
In the next stanza, the singer questions the power of Las Vegas and wonders if there is any way to save themselves from impending doom. The continued participation in the game seems like a trap, where the wheel of fortune keeps on turning and giving false hopes to the players. The last two lines of the stanza suggest the idea that the devil has control over Las Vegas, and people are inevitably drawn towards the city, like a moth to a flame. In the final stanza, the singer reveals that they came to Las Vegas just to pass the time and play a few games, but now a year has passed, and they are addicted to the city. The last line of the song refers to the idea that Las Vegas is a place that traps people into a vicious cycle, and it is almost impossible to escape.
In conclusion, “Las Vegas” by Tony Christie tells a cautionary tale about the dangers of addiction and the alluring nature of the sinful city. The song portrays the journey of someone who is caught in the web of the city's vices but cannot seem to leave.
Line by Line Meaning
The Lord above made the world for us,
The belief that God created the world for humans to live in.
but the devil made Las Vegas!
The idea that Las Vegas is a city dominated by sinful activities and pleasures, often associated with the devil.
Oh Las Vegas, you'll be the death of me,
The singer is acknowledging that the allure of Las Vegas is dangerous and may lead to his downfall or ruin.
city of sin oh what a mess I'm in,
The city of Las Vegas is portrayed as a place of temptation, corruption, and moral decay. The singer feels trapped in this environment.
look what you've done to me
The singer is blaming Las Vegas for his misfortunes and troubles, as he feels that the city has changed him for the worse.
Oh Las Vegas, I'm losing everything,
The singer is experiencing a sense of loss and despair, as he has been negatively affected by the temptations and risks of Las Vegas.
why do I stay when every game I play, I just get deeper in
The singer is questioning his own motivations for staying in Las Vegas, as he is aware that every time he gambles or takes a risk, he becomes more involved with the city's dangerous lifestyle.
Hey Las Vegas, can nothing save us from you?
The singer is expressing the feeling of being trapped and helpless, as though there is no escape from the influence of Las Vegas.
Night after night, watching the wheel go round
The singer is describing the repetitive and addictive nature of gambling in Las Vegas, as he is mesmerized by the spinning of the roulette wheel.
Hey Las Vegas the devil gave us to you,
The singer is once again attributing the city's sins and temptations to the devil, implying that Las Vegas is a place of evil and corruption.
One of these days, I'm gonna burn you down
The singer is expressing his anger and frustration with Las Vegas, as he feels that the city has taken too much from him and deserves to be destroyed.
One black Sunday, I came to visit you,
The singer is recalling a specific day when he first visited Las Vegas, suggesting that this was the moment when he became trapped in the city's web.
just for a day, to pass some time away and shoot a game or two
The singer is describing his initial motivations for coming to Las Vegas, which were simply to have some fun and play some games.
Oh Las Vegas that was a year ago,
The singer is reflecting on how much time has passed since he first arrived in Las Vegas, implying that he has been stuck there for a long time.
what can I do you've got me hooked on you and I can never go
The singer is admitting that he is powerless to resist Las Vegas, as he has become addicted to the lifestyle and cannot imagine leaving the city.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MITCH MURRAY, PETER CALLANDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Danny Miles
What an incredible song. Im in my 60s now and i can still remember it played lots at my Mums boozy parties in the early 70s.The song is used wonderfully in the English crime movie Nil By Mouth starring Ray Winstone.
Rick Brown
What singer - what a voice !!!
Jan Brollan
WHAT A VOICE!
jorge santiso
Para recordar !
Lyn Harvey
Brill, love this song, true representation of Vegas
donald milne
What a great track
Ian Hough
Reminds me of my childhood...parties in our house, music blaring.
Annamaria Orgonas
Great singer, I do adore his performance.
Like Engelbert!❤
Lyn Harvey
Those were the days
Remmelt Krol
Een van de mooiste gouwe ouwe hits aller tijden..