It’s not that we don’t like Elvis Presley’s ode to our beloved city. We liked it the first time we heard it. And the time after that. But the moment it was parodied in a Viagra commercial, a line was drawn in the desert sand: “Viva Las Vegas” had officially jumped the shark. Fortunately, there are several other songs about Las Vegas that don’t remind you of the little blue pill.

1. Katy Perry “Waking Up in Vegas” (2009)

For a moment in time, it looked like “That’s what you get for waking up in Vegas” might supplant “What happens here, stays here” as the city’s international calling card. Bonus points to Perry for actually shooting the music video here, featuring cameos by Penn & Teller, the Maloof brothers and Daniel Negreanu.

2. Gram Parsons “Ooh Las Vegas” (1974)

Parsons released only one solo album in his lifetime, but this rollicking tale of a down-on-his-luck gambler in Sin City from the posthumous Grievous Angel is a standout. “Every time I hit your crystal city,” he sings, “you know you’re gonna make a wreck out of me.”

Richard Cheese

Richard Cheese

3. Richard Cheese “Christmas in Las Vegas” (2006)

A lounge singer who “swankifies” the hits of the day, Cheese is at his best with this original composition. It’s an ode to “Bethlehem with bling,” where showgirls and boys ride in a sleigh of joy, Rudolph’s betting on red and Cheese himself contemplates, “What would Jesus hit?” Blasphemy never sounded so good.

4. Sheryl Crow “Leaving Las Vegas” (1993)

When Crow performed at Downtown Container Park in April, guess what song popped up about midway through her set? Billy Joel’s got “New York State of Mind,” Randy Newman’s got “I Love L.A.” and Crow has “Leaving Las Vegas,” an anthem for anyone who’s dreamed of taking I-15 out of town and never looking back.

5. Daryl Hall & John Oates, “Las Vegas Turnaround (The Stewardess Song)” (1973)

Oates doesn’t get nearly enough credit. This song, about a flight attendant who flies “gambling fools to the holy land, Las Vegas,” is both written and sung by the unheralded half of the biggest selling duo of all time. A deep cut from their first album, it was dusted off for their two-night stand at The Joint last year.

6. Drive-By Truckers “Checkout Time in Vegas” (2008)

DBT co-founder Mike Cooley takes lead vocals on this song from Brighter Than Creation’s Dark, their first album following the departure of guitarist Jason Isbell. There’s a cinematic quality to Cooley’s lonesome twang and lyrics, especially the closing lines: “Checkout time is sundown in Las Vegas, but it only rises once.”

Sara Bareilles

Sara Bareilles

7. Sara Bareilles “Vegas” (2007)

There’s a saying that people move to Vegas for one of two reasons: to escape or to reinvent themselves. Bareilles’ “Vegas,” a highlight from her major-label debut, Little Voice, certainly falls into the former camp. “Gonna sell my car and go to Vegas,” she sings, “’cause somebody told me that’s where dreams would be.”

8. Stereophonics “Vegas Two Times” (2001)

Welsh rockers Stereophonics must not have enjoyed their time in Sin City. “Crazy Horse Too spent us dry,” Kelly Jones sings in this riff-heavy track from Just Enough Education to Perform. “Now we’re leaving L-A-S Vegas.” It’s a cautionary tale worth sharing with all visitors: yes, strip clubs will usually get the best of you.

9. AC/DC “Sin City” (1978)

Before his death in 1980, Bon Scott was the heart and soul of AC/DC. Need proof? Check out this classic slice of hard rock from Powerage. “Bring on the dancin’ girls and put the champagne on ice,” he sings. “I’m goin’ in to Sin City.” Sounds like Scott could’ve showed the Stereophonics boys a thing or two.