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

Name the Character in the Song

Name the Character in the SongMusic Quiz

With a few clues (Works at a diner, dreams of running away), can you name the character in the song?

Tony Joe White

Tony Joe WhiteSongwriter Interviews

The writer of "Rainy Night in Georgia" and "Polk Salad Annie" explains how he cooks up his Louisiana swamp rock.

Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks

Ron and Russell Mael of SparksSongwriter Interviews

The men of Sparks on their album Hippopotamus, and how Morrissey handled it when they suggested he lighten up.

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Jon Anderson

Jon AndersonSongwriter Interviews

Jon Anderson breaks down the Yes classic "Seen All Good People" and talks about his 1000 Hands album, which features Chick Corea, Rick Derringer, Ian Anderson, and many other luminaries.

Gavin Rossdale of Bush

Gavin Rossdale of BushSongwriter Interviews

On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."