Bebe Daniels (January 14, 1901 – March 16, 1971) was an American actress, s… Read Full Bio ↴Bebe Daniels (January 14, 1901 – March 16, 1971) was an American actress, singer, dancer, writer and producer. She began in Hollywood during the silent movie era as a child actress, and later gained fame on radio and television in England. Throughout her life, Bebe Daniels made over 230 films.

There's A Small Hotel
Bebe Daniels Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'd like to get away, Junior
Somewhere alone with you
It could be oh, so gay, Junior
You need a laugh
Or two

A certain place I know, Frankie
Where funny people can have fun

That's where the two will go,
Darling

Before you can count up
One, two, three.
For there's a small hotel
With a wishing well

I wish that we were there together
There's a bridal suite
One room bright and neat
Complete for us to
Share together

Looking through the window
You can see a distant steeple
Not a sign of people who
Wants people?
When the steeple bell says,
"Good night, sleep well,"
We'll thank the small hotel
Together

We'll creep into our little shell
And we will thank the small hotel together

Overall Meaning

The song "There's A Small Hotel", originally written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1936, and later performed by Bebe Daniels, is a romantic ballad that speaks of a couple's desire to escape their busy lives and find a quiet place to be alone together. The song begins with the longing of the singer to be with Junior, and suggests that they need some laughter and fun in their lives. The singer mentions a particular place that she knows, where they can find funny people and enjoy good times together. Within a few moments, the two of them find themselves at this small hotel, sitting by a wishing well, dreaming of spending their lives together.

The imagery in the song is captivating, with the mention of the steeple and the distant view through the window. It almost seems like a fairy tale world where the couple can escape from the world for a short while, and be totally immersed in each other. The lyrics speak of enjoying the night together in their little shell, while thanking the small hotel for providing them with a romantic haven to escape to.

One of the interesting aspects of the song is that it has been covered by many well-known artists over the years. Some of the notable versions include those by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Doris Day. Apart from this, the song has also appeared in movies as well, such as Big Business Girl in 1931 and Words and Music in 1948.

Line by Line Meaning

I'd like to get away, Junior
I want to escape from my surroundings, Junior

Somewhere alone with you
I want to be in isolation with you, away from the crowd

It could be oh, so gay, Junior
It would be very joyous and amusing, Junior

You need a laugh
You require some humor to lighten up your mood

Or two
Or maybe even more

A certain place I know, Frankie
I have knowledge of a particular location, Frankie

Where funny people can have fun
Where humorous individuals can enjoy themselves

That's where the two will go, Darling
That's where both of us will head to, my dear

Before you can count up
Before you know it

One, two, three.
In just three easy steps.

For there's a small hotel
Because there's a tiny hotel