Hernandos Hideaway
Doris Day Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I know a dark secluded place
A place where no one knows your face.
A glass of wine, a fast embrace.
Its called Hernandos Hideaway. Ole!

All you see are silhouettes
And all you hear are castanets
And no one cares how late it gets
Not at Hernandos Hideaway. Ole!

INSTRUMENTAL
At the golden finger bowl or anyplace you go

INSTRUMENTAL
you'll meet your uncle Max and everyone you know

INSTRUMENTAL
But if you are sitting close and making love to me
you may take my heart, you may take my soul, but not my key

Just knock three times and whisper low
That you and I were sent by Joe




Then strike a match and you will know
you're in Hernandos Hideaway. Ole!

Overall Meaning

The song Hernandos Hideaway by Doris Day is an upbeat tune that narrates a place where people can go to escape reality and indulge in their secret desires. It starts by describing a secret and obscure place where people can be hidden and unrecognizable from the outside world, where they can let loose and be free without social expectations. The saxophones bring in a sense of mystery and seduction, which is fitting considering this secretive place can only be entered by a hidden key. People who find themselves attracted to each other in this place can forget about everything else and indulge in a fast, steamy embrace.


The second verse is a continuation of the description of this hideaway, where there is an ambiance of sensuality and passion. The sound of castanets heightens the feeling of dancing, merriment, and a general let-your-hair-down attitude. What happens at Hernandos Hideaway is nobody's business, and time does not seem to matter. The instrumental interludes capture the feeling of uncertainty and merging reality with fantasy. This disconnection from reality is emphasized by suggesting that you could be sitting next to your Uncle Max, but in this place, your identity is unknown and irrelevant.


Line by Line Meaning

I know a dark secluded place
I know of a hidden and private location


A place where no one knows your face.
A space where anonymity is guaranteed


A glass of wine, a fast embrace.
There's no shortage of alcohol and passionate encounters


Its called Hernandos Hideaway. Ole!
This place is known as Hernando's Hideaway, and it's exciting!


All you see are silhouettes
The lighting in this location is deliberately low, you can only make out the outline of people


And all you hear are castanets
The only thing you will hear is the sound of castanets clicking — a symbol of passion and seduction in Spanish music


And no one cares how late it gets
No one will mind how long you stay here and indulge


Not at Hernandos Hideaway. Ole!
It's all permissible at Hernando's, and it's thrilling!


At the golden finger bowl or anyplace you go
It's similar in most places, like the Golden Finger Bowl


you'll meet your uncle Max and everyone you know
People you're closely related to or know will be everywhere you go, but not at Hernando's Hideaway


But if you are sitting close and making love to me
However, if we're entwined in an intimate dance


you may take my heart, you may take my soul, but not my key
I'll give you everything, except the key to the hideaway — it's only for me to share


Just knock three times and whisper low
To enter, there's a secret knock and a code of conduct


That you and I were sent by Joe
The magic words to enter the space are the mention of Joe and his relationship to both of us


Then strike a match and you will know
After one confirms the password, they'll light a match to show themselves the way


you're in Hernandos Hideaway. Ole!
And like that, we're transported to Hernando's Hideaway to live it up, and it's a thrill!




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JERRY ROSS, RICHARD ADLER

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

@MissKatieJaneRigglar

I know a dark secluded place
A place where no one knows your face.
A glass of wine, a fast embrace.
It's called Hernando's Hideaway. Ole!
All you see are silhouettes
And all you hear are castanets
And no one cares how late it gets
Not at Hernando's Hideaway. Ole!
At the golden finger bowl or anyplace you go
You'll meet your uncle Max and everyone you know
But if you are sitting close and making love to me
you may take my heart, you may take my soul, but not my key
Just knock three times and whisper low
That you and I were sent by Joe
Then strike a match and you will know
You're in Hernando's Hideaway. Ole!



All comments from YouTube:

@ficus3877

Definitely the best song in the whole musical! It’s so out there compared to everything else in the film. And she’s so awesome!

@markr.devereux3385

I can't get past this type of show after SOUTH PACIFIC. MY FAIR LADY GIGI stuff that leaves you speechless with the music the performances and stories.

@YeOldeTowneCryer

That woman dancing had an amazing voice. From a soft whisper to a growl in seconds. This routine cracks me up.

@eottoe2001

I was born 1957. Most musicals even now don't have this level of sophistication. Seeing this on stage would have been terrific. Carol Haney was an amazing dancer/actor/choreographer. They talk about Fosse but she was genius, too. Too bad she died so young.

@christinedaniels3669

I enjoyed this so much. I was born in 1958 and never saw this movie. I don't know why. It seems like all the female singers have a little bit of Doris Day in them. Costumes are great scenery was wonderful and it depicts 1950s as the All-American dream.

@janepiepes2243

Fantastic ! I taught this song to all my music students. It was always an absolute favorite. ( I saw this movie in 1957. My mother took us.)

@stantwiceorelse362

How old are you now??

@VinDcator

A real shame that Carol Haney spent such a short time with us. So wonderful and talented.

@AndrewRudin

Carol Haney was a treasure... known primarily through her stage work and her dancing. Loved her.

@MuzzyVanH

Yes, and it was the innovative way Bob Fosse had of moving folks around on stage as well as on screen, that lead to the "Steam Heat" number from this show garnering him his real first serious notice. Love the way he underplays the choreography on "I'm Not At All In Love", treating the 'co-workers' almost as seperate instruments of an orchestra in their attitudes and motions. He always impresses me, usually by NOT resorting to the old tried and true, cliche or kick-line stuff. Fosse is the best.

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