Viva Las Vegas: The Best Songs About Las Vegas
December 9, 2022, a year ago
Las Vegas is a place where dreams come true - and where dreams are dashed to the pavement. It’s this extreme duality that has seen the city of sin be mentioned in numerous forms of media - from hit films such as Casino to songs. We’re going to take a look at some of the best songs ever about Vegas to bless our eardrums.
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"Viva Las Vegas" - Elvis Presley
The king himself, Elvis Presley, sang quite possibly the quintessential song about Las Vegas. Viva las Vegas is the high-energy, chart-busting release from 1964 that encapsulated everything about Las vegas right during its heyday in the 60s. It was during this time that Vegas was seen as the complete opposite of popular culture at the time - a place of excitement, gambling and quick love.
The song was featured in the movie of the same name which also starred Elvis, and captured one of Elvis’s best-ever performances.
"Waking Up in Vegas" - Katy Perry
The song by pop dream Katy Perry focuses on describing a wild weekend in Las Vegas, with a couple arriving, waking up hungover, confused and with their bank accounts much lighter. This little ditty is all about the fun that you can find in Vegas when you visit - and the aftermath!
"Sin City" - AC/DC
When you think about it, the powerful rock style of AC/DC is almost perfect for a song about Vegas. You can just imagine cruising down the strip, windows open to let the city in whilst you blast “Sin City” as you take in all the lights and action.
The lyrics for the song contain exactly what you imagine they would; opulence and risks, Lamborghinis, diamonds and caviar. Whilst the lyrics might not be anything impressive, the guitar certainly is.
"Luck Be a Lady" - Frank Sinatra
If there was a musical patron saint for Las Vegas, it would be none other than old blue eyes himself, Frank Sinatra.
Sinatra wasn't the writer or even the first person to perform Luck Be a Lady, but he certainly made it his own. His signature personality and nuances in his voice made this an absolute stand-out Vegas song.
The song itself is about how luck can be compared to a lady - sometimes sweet and loving, other times she can break your heart. Nice song with a nice meaning.
"Las Vegas Nights" - Hootie and the Blowfish
Look, we know this song isn’t directly about Vegas, but Sin City does get a mention right at the start of the song. The story within the lyrics unravels a twisting love story about a guy trying to get a girl back - with the titular going apparently going to start a new life in vegas.
This is an easy listener, with a nice relaxed feel and wonderful acoustic guitar line. Worth a listen on a lazy afternoon.
"Vegas Lights" - Panic! at the Disco
There are two main themes in media when they portray Vegas - either the glitz, glamour and bright lights… or the darker, seedier side. Vegas Lights captures the latter, taking all of the nightlife in Vegas and throwing in some splattering of existential angst and general dissatisfaction with life.
Quite a deep song when you get down to the bottom of the lyrics - this is a late night, pondering your situation whilst on the verge of a major life change kind of song.
"Let’s Go to Vegas" - Faith Hill
The meaning behind this song doesn't take a genius to work out - it’s about going to Vegas to get married. But Faith hill makes some nice comparisons between marriage and gambling and the song really captures the 90’s country music scene with a little bit of fun and a little bit of flirting.
"Here’s to Las Vegas" - Barry Manilow
You know that if it's got Barry Manilow as the artist, the song is going to be dramatic. Here’s to las Vegas is no exception - Manilow himself actually had a residency in Las Vegas and it's this residency which is possibly the inspiration behind the song.
An upbeat and quite catchy song, you get a feel for the dazzling spectacle that is the Las Vegas strip with his lyrics - although some might say it’s a little bit over the top.