Hotel
Beck Lyrics


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(One more time)

I was born in this hotel
Washing dishes in the sink
Magazines and free soda
Trying hard not to think

Lay it on to the dawn
Everything we done is wrong
I'll be lonesome when I'm gone
Lay it on to the dawn

She can talk to squirrels (oh, ho yeah)
Coming back from the convalescent home (ooh)
Staring at sports cars
Crying

Rattlesnake on the ceiling
Gunpowder on my sleeve
I will live here forever
With the ocean and the bees

Lay it on to the dawn
Everything we done is wrong
I'll be lonesome when I'm gone
Lay it on to the dawn

Lay it on to the dawn




Lay it on to the dawn
Lay it on to the dawn

Overall Meaning

In "Hotel," Beck paints a vivid picture of a character who seems to have spent a significant portion of their life in a hotel. The opening line, "I was born in this hotel," suggests that the hotel has been their home for as long as they can remember. The mundane task of washing dishes in the sink reflects a sense of drudgery and monotony. The mention of "magazines and free soda" hints at a seemingly endless cycle of passing time in this confined space, devoid of much excitement or stimulation. The line "Trying hard not to think" suggests that the character may be trying to escape or avoid confronting the realities of their situation or past.


The chorus, "Lay it on to the dawn, everything we done is wrong, I'll be lonesome when I'm gone," speaks to a sense of regret and loneliness. It implies that the choices made or actions taken by the character have led to negative consequences, leaving them feeling isolated and longing for something different. The repetition of this chorus throughout the song emphasizes these feelings of remorse and longing.


The second verse introduces a new character, possibly a companion or love interest, who has the ability to communicate with animals ("talk to squirrels"). The mention of the convalescent home and crying suggest a vulnerability or fragility in this person. The imagery of a rattlesnake on the ceiling and gunpowder on the singer's sleeve adds a sense of danger or instability to their environment. Despite the potential dangers, the singer declares their intention to stay in this hotel indefinitely, finding solace and connection with the ocean and bees.


Overall, "Hotel" portrays a sense of trapped existence, regrets, and a longing for something more. It explores themes of isolation, the passage of time, and the consequences of past actions.


Line by Line Meaning

I was born in this hotel
I have always been stuck in this place


Washing dishes in the sink
Doing menial tasks to survive


Magazines and free soda
Finding solace in trivial forms of entertainment


Trying hard not to think
Avoiding deep reflection and introspection


Lay it on to the dawn
Continue with our actions until sunrise


Everything we done is wrong
Realizing that our choices have been misguided


I'll be lonesome when I'm gone
Feeling lonely even in absence


She can talk to squirrels (oh, ho yeah)
Finding connection with nature and the small things


Coming back from the convalescent home (ooh)
Returning from a place of healing or recovery


Staring at sports cars
Enviously observing the extravagant and luxurious


Crying
Expressing deep sadness and emotional pain


Rattlesnake on the ceiling
Feeling a constant threat or danger overhead


Gunpowder on my sleeve
Being marked by violence and destruction


I will live here forever
Feeling trapped and unable to escape


With the ocean and the bees
Finding comfort in the natural world around me


Lay it on to the dawn
Persist with our actions until sunrise


Lay it on to the dawn
Continue with our actions until sunrise


Lay it on to the dawn
Continue with our actions until sunrise




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Beck Hansen

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Alexander Mendoza

Nací en este hotel
I was born in this hotel

Lavando platos en el fregadero
Washin' dishes in the sink

Revistas y refrescos gratis
Magazines and free soda

Tratando de no pensar
Tryin' hard not to think

Ponlo en el amanecer
Lay it on to the dawn

Todo lo que hicimos esta mal
Everything we done is wrong

Estaré solo cuando me vaya
I'll be lonesome when I'm gone

Ponlo en el amanecer
Lay it on to the dawn

Ella puede hablar con las ardillas ... oh, ho si
She can talk to squirrels...oh, ho yeah

Volviendo del hogar de convalecientes ... oh ...
Comin' back from the convalescent home...oh...

Mirando autos deportivos ... llorando
Starin' at sports cars...crying

Serpiente de cascabel en el techo
Rattlesnake on the ceilin'

Pólvora en mi manga
Gunpowder on my sleeve

Viviré aquí para siempre
I will live here forever

Con el mar y las abejas
With the ocean and the bees

Ponlo en el amanecer
Lay it on to the dawn

Todo lo que hicimos esta mal
Everything we done is wrong

Estaré solo cuando me vaya
I'll be lonesome when I'm gone

Ponlo en el amanecer
Lay it on to the dawn

Ponlo en el amanecer
Lay it on to the dawn

Ponlo en el amanecer
Lay it on to the dawn



All comments from YouTube:

Steven Ferguson

Still one of his best albums. Great memories.

Tom Dennis

Fuck yeah man . I'm not alone !

Wessley C.

Solía beber whiskey con esta canción hace algunos años,
Hoy vuelvo a escucharla nuevamente con una botella de whiskey, los recuerdos nunca mueren.

Alpha probe

This song is both unnerving and soothing. Sublime!

Lenny Rose

Though Sea Change and Odelay were good, this has always been my favorite album by Beck. I just love the weird, random, quirky and psychedelic lyrics. I used to blast it all the time as a freshman in high school. I wish Beck could have stayed with this persona

IgobyRoss

I wish beck stayed with this vibe too. The whole album reminded me of dumpster fires and train hopping. I really enjoyed it, it is my favorite album by far.

theWARMJET

Mutations was a great one too

Alpha probe

​@theWARMJET Yes, Mutations is my favourite along with MG. It was my proper introduction to Beck.

Maria Evans

This is my favorite Beck song. It's so haunting and weird. I always picture a traveling caravan in the Wild West for some reason....

KiLLeRHAnDs

Fuck yeah dude me too, thats awesome

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