The Pop Culture Playlist: Gambit

I’m back with a new addition of The Pop Culture Playlist, and on suggestion from Alex over at alexraphael I’m going to be featuring Gambit. The Ragin’ Cajun is one of my favourite characters, having played the role of thief and hero with the X-Men. I’ve come up with a playlist to represent a man with a devil-may-care attitude and who is also a hustler with a heart of gold.

Born On A Bayou by Creedence Clearwater Revival

I can remember the fourth of July runnin’ through the backwood bare
And I can still hear my old hound dog barkin’ chasin’ down a hoodoo there
Chasin’ down a hoodoo there
Born on the bayou
Born on the bayou
Born on the bayou
Wish I was back on the bayou rollin’ with some Cajun Queen
Wishin’ I were a freight train, oh, just a-chooglin’ on down to New Orleans

Born On A Bayou is the perfect opener for Remy Lebeau as he’s a native of New Orleans. It’s an up tempo song about not letting the man keep you down. I could see Gambit playing this on a hot summer day while he’s whipping up some gumbo.

Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson

Are you ok, Annie?
You’ve been hit by
You’ve been hit by
A smooth criminal

Smooth Criminal describes Gambit well, from his southern charm to his penchant for stealing. Michael Jackson’s sleek vocals work well in creating the image of Remy going on a heist and enjoying every minute of it.

Ace of Spades by Motorhead

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

When I picture Remy sitting at a table surrounded by cards, Ace Of Spades is the song I hear. Gambling is a thrill for him and it’s the excitement of the moment that keeps him moving forward.

Family by Noah Gunderson

So bum me a cigarette,
Buy me a beer,
‘Til I’m happy to be here,
Happy to be here
With all of my family
Hookers in heels
and the men who watch them
like hungry black eels

This song has a bluesy, melancholy vibe tying into Gambit’s association with the Thieves’ Guild. He also has ties with the Assassin’s Guild, having married Bella Donna Boudreaux in his formative years. They are his original family and speak of the seedier side of New Orleans.

The Card Cheat by The Clash

To the opium den and the barroom gin
In the Belmont chair playing violins
The gambler’s face cracks into a grin
As he lays down the king of spades

Gambit enjoys playing cards and this is a great song for capturing his love of gambling. There’s a kinetic energy behind the music that fits with his kinetic powers.

Robbers by The 1975

She had a face straight outta magazine
God only knows but you’ll never leave her
Her balaclava is starting to chafe
When she gets his gun he’s begging, babe stay, stay, stay, stay, stay

This song makes me think of Gambit’s relationship with Rogue. It’s told from his perspective and he’s telling her to stay despite her powers keeping them apart. Their relationship is one of the most enduring in comics, so I had to include it on this playlist.

Paradise City by Guns N Roses

Rags to riches or so they say
Ya gotta keep pushin’ for the fortune and fame
You know it’s all a gamble when it’s just a game
Ya treat it like a capital crime
Everybody’s doin’ the time

Paradise City has a rock and roll swagger that matches Gambit’s attitude. It’s about living fast and soaking up as much enjoyment as you can.

This Life by The Forest Rangers

This life is short
Baby that’s a fact
Better live it right
You ain’t comin’ back
Gotta raise some hell
Before they take you down
Gotta live this life

Gambit has made his fair share of enemies and This Life sums up how he plans to keep doing what he loves.

Desperado by The Eagles

Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses
You been out ridin’ fences for so long now
Oh, you’re a hard one
I know that you got your reasons
These things that are pleasin’ you
Can hurt you somehow
Don’t you draw the Queen of Diamonds, boy
She’ll beat you if she’s able
You know the Queen of Hearts is always your best bet

As part of the X-Men Gambit is a hero. The song reminds me of him leaving behind his old life to find purpose with the team. They accept him for who is he, but they also make him a better person.

Dirt by Florida Georgia Line

It’s that elm shade, red rust clay you grew up on
That plowed up ground that your dad damned his luck on
That postgame party field you circle up on
And when it rains you get stuck on
Drift a cloud back behind county roads that you run up

This family orientated song fits with Gambit’s southern roots. It’s a reminder of home and that family doesn’t have to be the one you were born with. He chose his with the X-Men and that’s all that matters.