Introduction:
“Viva Las Vegas,” one of Elvis Presley’s most famous songs, was released in 1964 as part of the soundtrack for the film of the same name. Written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, the song belongs to the rock and roll genre with influences from pop, rockabilly, and rhythm and blues. Its upbeat tempo, catchy lyrics, and vibrant energy quickly made it a standout track, capturing the excitement and allure of Las Vegas in the 1960s.
The song was recorded during a session in July 1963 at Radio Recorders studio in Hollywood, California, and it was later released by RCA Victor as part of the “Viva Las Vegas” soundtrack album. Although the soundtrack itself did not achieve significant commercial success—only reaching No. 92 on the Billboard Top LPs chart—the single “Viva Las Vegas” quickly became an iconic hit in Elvis’s repertoire. The song was released as a double A-side single with “What’d I Say” in April 1964 and peaked at No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the UK, it reached No. 17 on the UK Singles Chart.
“Viva Las Vegas” became synonymous with the glitz, glamour, and entertainment culture of Las Vegas, where Elvis himself would later become a mainstay with his legendary live performances in the late 1960s and 1970s. The song has since been covered by numerous artists and has featured in countless movies, TV shows, and commercials, further cementing its status as a classic. In recognition of its cultural impact, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2016.
Though “Viva Las Vegas” was not initially one of Presley’s top-charting singles, its infectious melody and the vibrant persona Elvis brought to the song have made it one of his enduring hits. Today, it remains a defining anthem of both his musical legacy and the lively spirit of Las Vegas itself.
Video:
Lyrics:
“Viva Las Vegas”
Bright light city gonna set my soul
Gonna set my soul on fire
Got a whole lot of money that’s ready to burn
So get those stakes up higher
There’s a thousand pretty women waitin’ out there
And they’re all livin’ devil may care
And I’m just the devil with love to spare
Viva Las Vegas, Viva Las VegasHow I wish that there were more
Than the twenty-four hours in the day
‘Cause even if there were forty more
I wouldn’t sleep a minute away
Oh, there’s black jack and poker and the roulette wheel
A fortune won and lost on ev’ry deal
All you need’s a strong heart and a nerve of steel
Viva Las Vegas, Viva Las VegasViva Las Vegas with you neon flashin’
And your one armbandits crashin’
All those hopes down the drain
Viva Las Vegas turnin’ day into nighttime
Turnin’ night into daytime
If you see it once
You’ll never be the same againI’m gonna keep on the run
I’m gonna have me some fun
If it costs me my very last dime
If I wind up broke up well
I’ll always remember that I had a swingin’ time
I’m gonna give it ev’rything I’ve got
Lady luck please let the dice stay hot
Let me shoot a seven with ev’ry shot
Viva Las Vegas, Viva Las Vegas
Viva, Viva Las Vegas