In the mid 1970s, Chapin focused on social activism, including raising money to combat hunger in the United States and co-founding the organization World Hunger Year, before returning to music with On the Road to Kingdom Come. He also released a book of poetry, Looking...Seeing, in 1977.
His fellow Long Islanders loved him for his support of local artists, as well. He and his wife Sandy raised funds for the Performing Arts Foundation, a now-defunct local theatre group. They also supported the Long Island Ballet. The band shell at Huntington's Hecksher Park is named for Harry Chapin.
Chapin died on July 16, 1981 in an automobile accident on the Long Island Expressway at the age of 38. He was headed west from Huntington Bay, where he lived with his wife and three children, to perform a concert in Eisenhower Park in Nassau County when his car was struck by a truck. An autopsy showed that he had suffered a heart attack, but it could not be determined whether that occurred before or after the collision. Supermarkets General, the owner of the truck, paid $12 million in the ensuing litigation.
Vacancy
Harry Chapin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They pulled off of the highway when they saw my light
It's a vacancy I offer them, what they offer me
Is fullness for a lifetime that's bare as can be
There's a vacancy, won't you come to me
And fill my empty spaces
I'm a motel man in a promised land
So won't you bring your sorrows bring your dreams,
It's a place for you to be
There's no more tomorrow or that's how it seems
Won't you come to me? I've got a vacancy
Another name, another key, another pass to glory
Another night, another sight, another bedtime story
Another stage, another chance, for gentleness or violence
Another birth, another dance, another death in silence
There's a vacancy, won't you come to me
And fill my empty spaces
I'm a motel man in a promised land
That's filled with empty faces
So won't you bring your sorrows bring your dreams,
It's a place for you to be
There's no more tomorrow or that's how it seems
Won't you come to me? I've got a vacancy
Mr. John is coming on with his liaison
Mr. Soft is comin' off and soon he'll be gone
Mrs. Hart has come apart now that she's alone
Mr. Jive has come alive but nobody's home
Mornings come checkout time, with my pail and broom
I find what they've left behind in every tell-tale room
The sheets show their struggles, the glasses their fears
The ashtrays the hours passed, the towels their tears
There's a vacancy, won't you come to me
And fill my empty spaces
I'm a motel man in a promised land
That's filled with empty faces
So won't you bring your sorrows bring your dreams,
It's a place for you to be
There's no more tomorrow or that's how it seems
Won't you come to me? I've got a vacancy
"Vacancy" by Harry Chapin is a vivid narrative about a motel proprietor inviting nomads to come and stay at his establishment. The characters in the song are portrayed as having little control over their lives: they are tired, bored, and burdened by the routine of their everyday lives. The owner of the motel offers them a temporary respite from their mundane existence, promising to "fill [his] empty spaces" with their "sorrows" and "dreams." The song features several metaphors, comparing the "promised land" to a spiritual desert, and the "empty faces" to lifeless statues.
The song's somber tone is reflective of Chapin's other works, which often center on themes of loneliness and unfulfilled aspirations. Chapin's distinct storytelling style is exemplified in "Vacancy," as he adopts the voice of the owner-manager to paint a picture of travelers' transient life on a never-ending road.
Line by Line Meaning
Mrs. Smith and Mr. Jones have come to pass the night
A couple has stopped at my motel for a temporary stay
They pulled off of the highway when they saw my light
They noticed my motel sign by the road and decided to check in
It's a vacancy I offer them, what they offer me
I have a room available for them to stay, but they also bring me companionship for the night
Is fullness for a lifetime that's bare as can be
Although their stay is temporary, their presence brings me joy and fills the emptiness in my life
Another name, another key, another pass to glory
Each guest that comes through my motel is another opportunity for me to make connections and possibly find success
Another night, another sight, another bedtime story
Each night is a new experience with unique guests, stories, and memories
Another stage, another chance, for gentleness or violence
As a motel owner, I am constantly provided with opportunities to show kindness or deal with negative situations
Another birth, another dance, another death in silence
Guests come and go, some are happy, some are sad, and some leave without a word
Mornings come checkout time, with my pail and broom
At the end of each guest's stay, I clean up their leftovers and prepare for the next patron
I find what they've left behind in every tell-tale room
Through examining the remnants of each guest's stay, I can anticipate their struggles, fears, and even tears
The sheets show their struggles, the glasses their fears
Each material item left behind by my guests provides insight into their unique experiences, including their struggles and fears
The ashtrays the hours passed, the towels their tears
Every element of their room, including the ashtrays and towels, reveals important information about their stay
There's a vacancy, won't you come to me
I have a room available and I am looking for new guests to stay at my motel
And fill my empty spaces
I hope new guests will bring me companionship and fill the emotional emptiness in my life
I'm a motel man in a promised land
I own a motel, living in a place with opportunities for success and a bright future
That's filled with empty faces
Despite the constant flow of guests, I still feel lonely and disconnected from society
So won't you bring your sorrows bring your dreams
I am hoping new guests will bring their experiences, both positive and negative, to share with me
It's a place for you to be
My motel offers a temporary home for anyone looking for a place to stay
There's no more tomorrow or that's how it seems
As a motel owner, my future is unknown and unpredictable
Won't you come to me? I've got a vacancy
I am inviting new guests to come stay at my motel, hoping they will bring me temporary companionship and purpose
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY F. CHAPIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jtc1148
Very underrated album, song and artist.
Noah Spierings
Harry has been by far one of the most poetic, beautiful, and understanding people that I have ever known. Such a great and supportive artist who is lost on many.
Jason C
Just happy to be hearing this song again, and finding other people who have soul
nationshi
He was such an amazing songwriter. The song Vacancy was supposed be in a movie with the same title. Oh how I miss him.
rac 777!
All songs on Verities were wonderful. Maybe my favorite album cover ever.
Stephen Johnson
I recently started working at a hotel in the French Quarter in New Orleans and, as I mostly work alone, I sing this song while I'm working.
ron Joyner
Lots more great stuff brother
electronmusicjunkie
Hard to tell since songs can mean many things. All I can think of is the person portrayed in the song is helping people with struggles. Good song like many from an artist who should of had many more hits, who's music should of gotten more airplay, and not to have his life taken from us so soon. I also put Karen Carpenter in the same thing too.
ron Joyner
Amen!!!!!
John Avy
Those backdrop vocals singing “bring your dreams” wow. Awesome song