Viva Las Vegas (song)#ZZ Top version
{{short description|1964 single by Elvis Presley}}
{{more citations needed|date=June 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Viva Las Vegas
| cover = Elvis_Presley_Viva_Las_Vegas_Picture_Sleeve.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Elvis Presley
| album =
| B-side = What'd I Say
| released = April 28, 1964
| recorded = July 10, 1963
| studio = Radio Recorders, Hollywood
| genre =
| length = 2:24
| label = RCA
| writer = Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman
| producer =
| prev_title = Kissin' Cousins
| prev_title2 = It Hurts Me
| prev_year = 1964
| title = Viva Las Vegas
| title2 = What'd I Say
| next_title = Such a Night
| next_title2 = Never Ending
| next_year = 1964
}}
"Viva Las Vegas" is a 1964 song recorded by Elvis Presley written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman{{cite web
|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p115115/biography|pure_url=yes}}
|title=Doc Pomus – Biography
|publisher=AllMusic
|access-date=2007-06-27
}}
for his film of the same name, which along with the song was set for general release the year after. Although Elvis Presley never performed the song live, it has since become popular and often performed by others. The RIAA certified the single disc "Viva Las Vegas/What'd I Say" gold on March 27, 1992, having sold 500,000 copies in the United States.{{Cite web|title=Gold & Platinum|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|access-date=2021-11-18|website=RIAA|language=en-US}}
History
The song was recorded on July 10, 1963. Released as a single in 1964 with the B-side "What'd I Say" from the same film, "Viva Las Vegas" charted separately from its B-side, reaching No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart.Jorgensen, Ernst. Elvis Presley A Life in Music: The Complete Recording Sessions. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1998; pp. 182, 416 The Elvis version of "What'd I Say" peaked at No. 21, the two sides having equivalent appeal in the marketplace. "Viva Las Vegas" reached No. 17 on the UK Singles Chart, improving to No. 15 after a reissue in 2007. The single reached No. 20 on the Record World chart in the U.S. and No. 14 in Canada.{{Cite web |url=https://tsort.info/music/mfeu1b.htm |title=Song artist 2 - Elvis Presley |access-date=2018-12-30 |archive-date=2020-01-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128013746/http://tsort.info/music/mfeu1b.htm |url-status=dead }} The song was published by Elvis Presley Music, Inc.
In the years since, the song has become popular. In 2002, the city of Las Vegas requested Elvis Presley Enterprises, the company that handles Elvis-related music rights, to allow it to be the official song of the city. Negotiations stalled over the price. EPE had not controlled the copyright to the song since 1993, at which time it became the property of the families of the songwriters Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman.Halberstadt, Alex "Lonely Avenue The Unlikely Life & Times of DocPomus", 2007; DaCapo Press
Use in other media
The song was featured in the 2010 video game Just Dance 2.{{cite web|title=Just Dance 2 Tracks|url=http://just-dance-thegame.ubi.com/jd-portal/en-AU/just-dance-games/just-dance-2/index.aspx|website=Just Dance|publisher=UbiSoft|access-date=July 29, 2014|archive-date=July 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724040652/http://just-dance-thegame.ubi.com/jd-portal/en-AU/just-dance-games/just-dance-2/index.aspx|url-status=dead}}
The song has been adopted as the victory theme for the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Vegas Golden Knights when they win games at T-Mobile Arena, and was played during their victory parade following the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals.{{cite news|last=Katsilometes|first=John|title=Bellagio fountains cue up 'Viva Las Vegas' after Knights wins|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/bellagio-fountains-cue-up-viva-las-vegas-after-knights-wins/|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=May 5, 2018|access-date=May 19, 2018}}
During the trophy ceremony of Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium, Travis Kelce, a tight end for the victorious Kansas City Chiefs, "belted out an impromptu, raggedy chorus" of the song.{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/business/publishing/travis-kelce-super-bowl-viva-las-vegas-singing-song-royalties-1235608768/|title=Travis Kelce's Super Bowl 'Viva Las Vegas' Scored a Payday for the Song|publisher=Billboard |access-date=2024-02-17}}
Dead Kennedys version
In 1980, San Francisco hardcore punk band Dead Kennedys recorded a sardonic version of the song for their debut album Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables. This version has altered lyrics, making references to cocaine and methamphetamine. It appeared on the album as the 14th and final track.{{Cite web |date=February 7, 2024 |title=Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/31756-Dead-Kennedys-Fresh-Fruit-For-Rotting-Vegetables |website=Discogs}}
{{Infobox song
| name =
| type = song
| artist = Dead Kennedys
| album = Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables
| released = September 2, 1980
| genre = Punk rock
| length = 2:42
| label = Cherry Red, Alternative Tentacles, Faulty Products, Manifesto
| writer = Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman
}}
ZZ Top version
{{Infobox song
| name = Viva Las Vegas
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = ZZ Top
| album = Greatest Hits
| B-side = 2000 Blues
| released = 1992
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 4:47
| label = Warner Bros.
| writer = Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman
| producer =
| prev_title = Burger Man
| prev_year = 1991
| title = Viva Las Vegas
| next_title = Pincushion
| next_year = 1994
}}
ZZ Top recorded a version of "Viva Las Vegas" as one of two new tracks on their Greatest Hits album (1992). "Viva Las Vegas" was released as a single and reached the Top 10 in both the UK (No. 10) and Ireland (No. 8).{{cite web |title=Viva Las Vegas {{!}} Full Official Chart History {{!}} Official Charts Company |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/viva-las-vegas/ |website=www.officialcharts.com |access-date=8 October 2022 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=The Irish Charts – All there is to know |url=http://irishcharts.ie/search/placement?page=1&search_type=title&placement=Viva+Las+Vegas |website=irishcharts.ie |access-date=29 June 2020}} This version appeared in a 1993 episode of Beavis and Butt-head.{{cite book |last1=Daniels |first1=Neil |title=Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers: A ZZ Top Guide |date=2014 |publisher=Soundcheck Books |isbn=978-0-9571442-7-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7NMtAwAAQBAJ&q=viva+las+vegas+Beavis+and+Butt-Head.&pg=PA59 |access-date=29 June 2020 |language=en}}
Bruce Springsteen version
In 1992, Bruce Springsteen recorded a version of the song that appeared in the movie Honeymoon in Vegas, which featured many Elvis Presley songs covered by famous artists. However, Springsteen's version was not included on the soundtrack album.
Charts
=Elvis Presley's original version=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
| Chart (2007)
! Peak |
|---|
| UK Singles Chart{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/vegas/ |title=Official Charts Company |website=Officialcharts.com |date=2007-11-10 |access-date=2020-01-13}}
| style="text-align:center;"|15 |
=Certifications=
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Elvis Presley|title=Viva Las Vegas|award=Silver|relyear=2004|certyear=2024|id=19705-2984-1|access-date=16 February 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Elvis Presley|title=Viva Las Vegas|award=Gold|relyear=1964|certyear=1992|access-date=16 February 2024}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}}
=ZZ Top cover=
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
==Weekly charts==
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for "Viva Las Vegas" by ZZ Top ! Chart (1992) ! Peak |
| {{single chart|Australia|28|artist=ZZ Top|song=Viva Las Vegas|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2022}} |
| {{single chart|Austria|21|artist=ZZ Top|song=Viva Las Vegas|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2022}} |
| scope="row"| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista){{cite book|first=Jake|last=Nyman|year=2005|title=Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja|edition=1st|publisher=Tammi|location=Helsinki|isbn=951-31-2503-3|language=fi}}
| 1 |
|---|
| {{single chart|Germany|34|songid=2440|artist=ZZ Top|song=Viva Las Vegas|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2022}} |
| {{single chart|Ireland2|8|song=Viva Las Vegas|rowheader=true|access-date=January 13, 2020}} |
| {{single chart|Dutch100|27|artist=ZZ Top|song=Viva Las Vegas|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2022}} |
| {{single chart|New Zealand|17|artist=ZZ Top|song=Viva Las Vegas|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2022}} |
| {{single chart|Sweden|7|artist=ZZ Top|song=Viva Las Vegas|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2022}} |
| {{single chart|Switzerland|20|artist=ZZ Top|song=Viva Las Vegas|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2022}} |
| {{single chart|UK|10|date=19920418|rowheader=true|access-date=April 7, 2025}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardmainstreamrock|16|artist=ZZ Top|rowheader=true|access-date=April 7, 2025}} |
{{col-2}}
==Year-end charts==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Year-end chart performance for "Viva Las Vegas" by ZZ Top ! Chart (1992) ! Position |
| scope="row"| Sweden (Topplistan){{cite web|url=http://www.grammotex.se/topp92singlar.htm|title=Årstopplistan 1992, Singlar|publisher=Grammotex|language=sv|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010225021610/http://www.grammotex.se/topp92singlar.htm|archive-date=February 25, 2001|access-date=April 7, 2025}}
| 39 |
|---|
{{col-end}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{YouTube|9MO1KyNUOIs|Elvis Presley – Viva Las Vegas}}
- {{YouTube|ZdhDC1gmuD8|ZZ Top – Viva Las Vegas}}
{{Elvis Presley singles}}
{{ZZ Top}}{{Navbox musical artist|name=Dead Kennedys|title=Dead Kennedys|state={{{state|autocollapse}}}|bodyclass=hlist|background=group_or_band|above=* East Bay Ray
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- Jello Biafra
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- Live at the Deaf Club|group3=Extended plays|list3=* In God We Trust, Inc.|group4=Compilations|list4=* Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death
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- "Holiday in Cambodia"/"Police Truck"
- "Kill the Poor"
- "Too Drunk to Fuck"
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- "Halloween"|group6=Videos|list6=* Dead Kennedys: DMPO's On Broadway
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- "Viva Las Vegas"|group8=Related articles|list8=* Discography
- Alternative Tentacles
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{{authority control}}
Category:Songs with music by Mort Shuman
Category:Songs with lyrics by Doc Pomus