An actress, singer, talk show host, and author, the multi-talented Reese first started singing in church in her hometown of Detroit when she was six years old. By the age of 13, she was touring with gospel great Mahalia Jackson; then, at 18, she formed the Meditation Singers and became the first performer to bring gospel music to the casinos of Las Vegas. Reese expanded her musical repertoire as a vocalist with the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra and began recording albums, with such hits as "Don't You Know" and "And That Reminds Me" in the 1950s. She appeared extensively as a guest on the top television variety series, logging more than 20 appearances in one year on The Ed Sullivan Show on the CBS Television Network. Reese was nominated for a Grammy Award as Best Female Soloist in Gospel Music in 1987.
Tapping into her other skills, she was host of a television talk show in 1969-1970, then began guest-starring in such series as Sanford and Son, The A-Team, Crazy Like a Fox and Picket Fences. She starred in the CBS Network series Charlie & Co. and The Royal Family. Reese's current projects include a new album based on her 27-city tour with her revue, "Some of My Best Friends Are the Blues," as well as song on the Touched By An Angel Soundtrack. Her best-selling autobiography, "Angels Along the Way," is published by G.P. Putnam's Sons. Reese also starred in the telefilms Emma's Wish, with Joanna Kerns, and The Secret Path, with Ossie Davis.
There's a Small Hotel
Della Reese Lyrics
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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
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
In Della Reese's song "There's a Small Hotel", the singer yearns for a romantic getaway with her love interest, who she affectionately calls Junior. She suggests that they escape to a certain location where funny people can have fun, hinting at a place that is light-hearted and entertaining. The small hotel she refers to is a charming escape, complete with a bridal suite and a wishing well that adds to its mystique. She imagines a cozy evening with her lover, looking out the window at a distant steeple and enjoying the peacefulness of their private space. As the steeple bell rings, it signals a goodnight and a peaceful sleep that they will share together in their cozy shell.
The lyrics convey a sense of nostalgia and escapism, coupled with the irresistible desire to be with a loved one in a peaceful, undisturbed setting. The wishing well and bridal suite speak to the romantic nature of the song, while the references to humor and funny people suggest that the couple seeks a lighthearted and enjoyable getaway.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd like to get away, Junior
I want to escape from all the things that are bothering me, Junior
Somewhere alone with you
I want to be together with you in a quiet and peaceful place that's only for us
It could be oh, so gay, Junior
Our time together could be so happy and full of joy, Junior
You need a laugh
You need to forget your troubles for a while and just have a good time
Or two
You need more than just one laugh, you need to feel truly happy
A certain place I know, Frankie
I know of a specific place where we can find what we're looking for, Frankie
Where funny people can have fun
It's a place where people with a good sense of humor can enjoy themselves
That's where the two will go, Darling
That's where we will go together, my love
Before you can count up
It won't take long at all
One, two, three.
Just a few steps, and we'll be there
For there's a small hotel
The place we're going to is a small hotel
With a wishing well
It has a wishing well, a magical attraction that can fulfill our desires
I wish that we were there together
I imagine us being there together, and it makes me happy
There's a bridal suite
There's a special room for newlyweds
One room bright and neat
The room is clean and well-lit
Complete for us to
Everything is ready for us to
Share together
Enjoy together
Looking through the window
As we look out of the window, we see
You can see a distant steeple
A tower in the distance
Not a sign of people who
We don't see anyone around who
Wants people?
Are looking for other people or want to be around them
When the steeple bell says,
At night, when the bell in the tower rings
"Good night, sleep well,"
It signals that it's time to go to sleep
We'll thank the small hotel
We'll be grateful for the comfort and peace the hotel has provided us
Together
As we enjoy each other's company
We'll creep into our little shell
We'll retire to our cozy and comfortable room
And we will thank the small hotel together
We'll appreciate the hospitality of the small hotel together and be grateful for the memories we've made there
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LORENZ HART, RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind