There’s a lot of debate over what the perfect night with friends would be like. The venue, food and travel can differ, but there’s usually one constant – a fun soundtrack. Songs can really help to set the mood of a night in or out, but when outside, you can’t control what you’re listening to.

Fortunately, that’s not the case for a big girls’ night in. It’s possible to play any song of your choice at home, but which songs are the most popular, and why are they chosen so much? In the UK, a survey conducted by Ladbrokes Bingo revealed some surprising (and not so surprising) choices.

Tuned in

Some of the stats from the survey revealed that being able to control what music they can listen to was a major reason behind staying in instead of heading out to the nearest nightclub or bar. A considerably large 38% of respondents said staying in meant they could choose their own music.

Other reasons were given in the survey for wanting to have a night in. 18% stated that they could do karaoke from the comfort of their own living room, while 13% liked the idea of playing their favourite songs as loudly or quietly as they wanted to.

Back to the 80’s

The gaming firm also asked women about what songs they would like to play during a girls’ night in. The list of popular songs features a number of classics from the 1980’s, when many online bingo fans will have been in their teens or early 20’s, but some of them might not seem like ideal party tunes.

Perhaps the best party tune of the 1980’s was this one-hit wonder by Dead or Alive. Even though Pete Burns’ outfit failed to score any other hits, this is still a favorite among women (and men) who were growing up at the time.

Get your hairbrush out

One of the joys of a night in is being able to sing along to classics without having to worry about looking ridiculous in front of a big crowd. The list of songs from the survey has quite a few which are begging to be sung, no matter how badly!

Tina Turner’s rousing anthem is the ultimate “hairbrush” classic. Like many other songs mentioned during the survey, it’s practically an invitation to bellow at the top of your voice, especially when the night in is in full swing.

Winding down

Some of the songs such as Simple Minds’ “Don’t You Forget About Me” and R.E.M.’s “Stand” are a little more downbeat, but no less fun. They’re good to help end a night in, and often leave everyone feeling nostalgic, which is what makes choosing the music yourself so fun.

Everyone loves a great game of poker, from the younger, less experienced players to the aged generations who have mastered the perfect “poker face”. While poker is generally associated with gambling, it has transformed into a game that is strictly for entertainment. During the early days of poker, it was considered easy money for the experienced players, who knew when to make their moves. Since then, many places have made gambling illegal, due to the financial situations that can arise among gamblers. Even so, it is the perfect card game to pass the time and enjoy the company of friends and family. Music is the perfect background noise, especially in lighthearted poker games.

Like any other activity, certain musical genres are preferred for poker games. Depending upon the musical preferences of the players involved, you may decide to choose a more intimidating rock song over a fun classical song. There are a great deal of songs and albums which will go great with a laid back poker game, many of which actually pertain to poker directly. These songs are also good for solitary poker, especially if you are playing through partypoker. Here, we have compiled many songs that will compliment your game, with a little information regarding the artist and lyrics.

1. “Money” by Pink Floyd : This song is perfect for poker games that involve true gambling. It is a classical song, and was released in 1973 on the album “The Dark Side of the Moon”. The song involves several special effects that relate to money, such as the sound of coins jingling or cash registers. Since this is an older and classical track, it may not exactly appeal to the younger crowd; so it is perfect for reminiscent games.
2. “The Gambler” by Kenny Rodgers : This song is very popular, and has been entertaining people since its release in 1978. Kenny Rodgers is a renowned country music star, so you know this song is sure to bring a smile to the faces of your guests. It involves a man who takes a train with no particular destination in mind, and another man whom he meets while aboard; this man is referred to as The Gambler. The Gambler converses with him, giving him a life lesson through poker phrases.
3. “Ace of Spades” by Motorhead : This is a classic rock song, which was released in 1980. Motorhead is an English band, which hit the singles chart in the UK for 12 weeks straight. This song is loaded with metaphors which pertain to gambling, which makes it the perfect track for a competitive game. Rock has been a favorite genre of many for decades, and it’s not going anywhere any time soon.
4. “The House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals : If you are interested in a classical folk song that reaches back into the 1960’s, this is it. This song is not exactly a mood booster, but it is a view of the life of a gambler. This song has many versions, with different artists involved. However, The Animals’ version has our vote. This simple ballad is quite enjoyable, and can be a lesson to players who tend to wager too much during a game.