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Abstract

idge. You know that slight change in a song that creates some momentum going into the final verse or chorus. Not that this song needs it.But it happens anyway at 1:23. Just about the time Axel is about to start the first verse of Paradise City.<blockquote id="07d3">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 for ever</blockquote>It’s the bit most people can remember. It’s where you raise your bottle of Jack Daniels in the air at a party with a cigarette slung between your lips and sing: I don’t wanna live for ever!!!I’ve done it. Many times.<h1 id="a225">Guitar Solo</h1>The guitar solo kicks in at 1:34, just after Lemmy screams:<blockquote id="791f">And don’t forget the joker!</blockquote>Cue guitarist Eddie Clarke on his Les Paul and bank of Marshall Valve Cabs. What a beautiful sound. Note all budding guitarists: This solo last about 25 seconds, not eight minutes.We’re quickly back into the main riff and ready for the last verse.<h1 id="460f">3rd Verse</h1><blockquote id="93db">Pushing up the ante, I know you gotta 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 Ace of Spades</blockquote>Short drum/bass solo — 10 secondsShort second guitar solo — 6 secondsOutro — 2 secondsDone!Utter Genius!Total time 2.46.Meanwhile, Axel and co are still singing Paradise City which will go on for another four minutes…<h1 id="b07a">Conclusion</h1>I’ve listened to rock music all my life. I’ve probably listened to everything, and yet in my opinion, nothing comes close to Ace of Spades for its simplicity and power (and length).After all, aren’t these the three tenets of songwriting. Keep it simple, make it powerful and keep it short.Ace of Spades does all of these, and more. It’s the sheer-bloody intensity and attitude oozing through the lyrics and music that makes it so good. It just hammers you, jolts you like an electric cattle prod. Even writing this and listening to it a few times (well 15), I had to go outside to calm down.The song is credited to Lemmy, Eddie Clarke and Phil Taylor. But it may well have been written by the devil. What a song. What a group.Listen to it now! <figure id="44b6"> <div> <div>

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    </figure></iframe></div></div></figure><p id="871c">PS. Needless to say I got home that night in one piece. Such is the power of the Ace of Spades.</p><p id="54c6">PPS. On a music trivia note: Both Lemmy and Slash were raised in Stoke-on-Trent, England. As was Robbie Williams (there the comparison ends obviously).</p><p id="c2b2">Thanks for reading my rocktastic piece. For more music stories from me in The Riff.</p><div id="66e2" class="link-block">
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Greatest Song Ever Series

Why ‘Ace of Spades’ is The Greatest Rock Song Ever Written

Imagine driving down a highway at three o’clock in the morning. You’ve been driving for fucking hours. Feels like days. Maybe a week.

You’re bored out of your mind and your eyes are like pinholes. You can barely keep them open. You’re worried you’re going to crash into the barrier, and you really should take a break. But you know if you stop, you’ll fall asleep, and you’ve got to get back home.

You want a cigarette, but you gave up years ago, so instead you scrabble in the side compartment for a mint. But you finished them hours ago. You reach for your water, but that’s gone too. You rub your eyes and shake your head. This is dangerous, you’re going to kill someone. Or yourself.

You flick on the radio! Last chance saloon! Maybe there’s something on to wake you up?

You hear the slightly overdriven chugging guitar intro from “Fast” Eddie Clarke. Three seconds later, the quick snare drum roll from Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor. Then four seconds later Lemmy’s Rickenbacker bass kicks in, and we’re into Ace of Spades by Motörhead, probably the greatest rock song ever written.

1st Verse

If you like to gamble, I tell you I’m your man You win some, lose some, it’s 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 The Ace of Spades

I’m singing at the top of my voice, fully awake. Feels like I’ve ingested a kilo of speed, and I’m seeing the road with 20/20 vision like I’m an eagle or a gazelle.

We’re 44 seconds into the song, and we’re ready for the second verse. It would have taken Guns N Roses 1:31 to get to the first verse of Paradise City. Take note, Axel/Slash….

2nd verse

Playing for the high one, dancing with the devil Going with the flow, it’s all a game to me Seven or eleven, snake eyes watching you Double up or quit, double stake or split, the Ace of Spades The Ace of Spades

The tempo is unrelenting. The drums, guitar and bass driving together forward like a three-man army going into war. Into a battle that they will win, because the sound they are creating would blow anyone away. Even an arsenal of Russian nukes.

The Bridge

Then we have the Bridge. You know that slight change in a song that creates some momentum going into the final verse or chorus. Not that this song needs it.

But it happens anyway at 1:23. Just about the time Axel is about to start the first verse of Paradise City.

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 for ever

It’s the bit most people can remember. It’s where you raise your bottle of Jack Daniels in the air at a party with a cigarette slung between your lips and sing: I don’t wanna live for ever!!!

I’ve done it. Many times.

Guitar Solo

The guitar solo kicks in at 1:34, just after Lemmy screams:

And don’t forget the joker!

Cue guitarist Eddie Clarke on his Les Paul and bank of Marshall Valve Cabs. What a beautiful sound. Note all budding guitarists: This solo last about 25 seconds, not eight minutes.

We’re quickly back into the main riff and ready for the last verse.

3rd Verse

Pushing up the ante, I know you gotta 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 Ace of Spades

Short drum/bass solo — 10 seconds

Short second guitar solo — 6 seconds

Outro — 2 seconds

Done!

Utter Genius!

Total time 2.46.

Meanwhile, Axel and co are still singing Paradise City which will go on for another four minutes…

Conclusion

I’ve listened to rock music all my life. I’ve probably listened to everything, and yet in my opinion, nothing comes close to Ace of Spades for its simplicity and power (and length).

After all, aren’t these the three tenets of songwriting. Keep it simple, make it powerful and keep it short.

Ace of Spades does all of these, and more. It’s the sheer-bloody intensity and attitude oozing through the lyrics and music that makes it so good. It just hammers you, jolts you like an electric cattle prod. Even writing this and listening to it a few times (well 15), I had to go outside to calm down.

The song is credited to Lemmy, Eddie Clarke and Phil Taylor. But it may well have been written by the devil. What a song. What a group.

Listen to it now!

PS. Needless to say I got home that night in one piece. Such is the power of the Ace of Spades.

PPS. On a music trivia note: Both Lemmy and Slash were raised in Stoke-on-Trent, England. As was Robbie Williams (there the comparison ends obviously).

Thanks for reading my rocktastic piece. For more music stories from me in The Riff.