Diamond Jack

Album: Front Page News (1977)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Running 4:33, group composition "Diamond Jack" is the final track on the 1977 Front Page News album. Uptempo and unashamedly commercial, it combines a feelgood factor with philosophy through the metaphor of a card game - obviously high stakes poker.

    The final hand in The Cincinnati Kid (the film version, not the book) sees the young pretender - played by Steve McQueen - busted by the old master - played by Edward G. Robinson - by a gutshot jack of diamonds in an extremely improbable hand of five card stud. Could this be the inspiration for the song?

    The final lines are:

    Black magic or Lady Luck
    Who will show me the way?


    At least one fan has heard a similarity with "I Heard It Through The Grapevine"; if you listen closely, you might too.
  • An obvious single, and just as obviously an A-side, it was released as the B Side of "Front Page News" in September 1977 on the MCA label, and like every Wishbone Ash single before and since, it bombed. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.

Modern A Cappella with Peder Karlsson of The Real Group

Modern A Cappella with Peder Karlsson of The Real GroupSong Writing

The leader of the Modern A Cappella movement talks about the genre.

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music Scene

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music SceneSong Writing

With $50 and a glue stick, Bruce Pavitt created Sub Pop, a fanzine-turned-label that gave the world Nirvana and grunge. He explains how motivated individuals can shift culture.

Songs Discussed in Movies

Songs Discussed in MoviesSong Writing

Bridesmaids, Reservoir Dogs, Willy Wonka - just a few of the flicks where characters discuss specific songs, sometimes as a prelude to murder.

Christmas Songs

Christmas SongsFact or Fiction

Rudolf, Bob Dylan and the Singing Dogs all show up in this Fact or Fiction for seasonal favorites.