Hotel Books began in 2010. After the release of "Call Me Human," many demos were released online, which ultimately became "Everything We Could Have Done Differently." After extensive touring in the US and overseas, the band signed to InVogue Records, under which they released a double-packaged EP, "I'm Almost Happy Here, But I Never Feel At Home" as well as two full band records, "Run Wild, Young Beauty," and "Run Wild, Stay Alive," along with two albums in the "Equivalency" series and an experimental LP "I'll Leave the Light on Just in Case."
The band's InVogue Records debut, "I'm Almost Happy Here, But I Never Feel at Home" was released July 1, 2014, via InVogue Records. The album received mostly positive reviews, as well as earned the band their first Billboard chartings; No. 9 on Alternative New Artists and No. 20 on Heatseekers, for the album's debut week. Their next effort, "Run Wild, Young Beauty," was released on April 7, 2015, and spent three total weeks on the Billboard charts.
In 2016, Hotel Books released their second long-player "Run Wild, Stay Alive" to negative and mixed reviews. The album focused more on the rock elements and traditional song structure.
In October of 2017, Hotel Books released "Equivalency" via InVogue Records to critical acclaim.
Hotel Books has toured the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia, playing with a variety of notable acts, including Defeater, Counterparts, and I Prevail.
July
Hotel Books Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I told her I loved her
And I just wanted to support her through her recovery
And through conversations I listened
And I feel like this is the best way to interpret what she told me
The devil found a clever way to infiltrate and bring his manipulation
A slender blonde in a cocktail dress
Brought on by the gifting of drinks
Until she was ready to pay back in the bedroom
In search to appease the demons in her head
On a sterile surface in the bathroom
Looking into a half-cracked, half-filthy mirror
Hoping she doesn′t reflect that half-cracked
And half-filthy receding stain of a smile her mother made when she left
Because the promises she made to herself
Seemed to be the hardest ones to keep
And knowing she survived the last storm
Was no longer all she needed to be able to fall asleep
Vacant wine glasses and late night crashes symbolic of her vessel
With no presentation at the palate
But a spirit starving for remembrance
Some sort of legacy other than her occupation
'Cause her normal skin looked like silk but had been masked by vengeance
Baggage under her eyes deep within her overcompensating lies
And all she saw when she gazed into the endless skies
Was regret from that manipulation
This life of sleeping through the static of practice
For the everlasting rush she hoped for
She was somewhat ecstatic but not for the first time
′Cause this was reminiscent of those times
That she would have those late night drives
Those moments when she would look back and say
"How did I get here?"
Those moments when she would look at old childhood photos and say
"How did that child grow up to be like this?
When did I dismiss the morals that I subscribe to?
I don't know what to do"
And she looks at photos of her beautiful mother in her youth
And is envious of that smile she had when she was 22
And she wishes she could say the same for herself
But she's living this self-perpetuated hell
′Cause she took the literal stains and the literal scars
And turned them into emotional drain and then she fell apart
I′ve never really been one
For taking second chances on times that I've been broken
But sometimes forgiveness needs to be put in place
For someone to actually grow from these negative emotions
And all that constructive use of the pain is thrown at you
It′s the only way that you can find refuge
So I'm gonna tell you this, darling
Every time you tell yourself you′re not worth it
Every time you tell yourself you're worthless
You′re being lied to
And in that case, the liar is you
The song "July" by Hotel Books features emotionally charged lyrics about a woman who is struggling with the aftermath of sexual assault. The song begins with the singer sitting down with the woman, listening to her story, and expressing his love and support. The song then delves into the woman's story, describing the manipulation and abuse she has endured at the hands of a predator. The woman is left feeling overwhelmed and trapped by her experiences, struggling to reconcile her current self with the person she used to be. The song ultimately delivers a message of hope, encouraging the woman to believe in her own worth and power.
The lyrics are filled with powerful metaphors and vivid imagery. The woman is described as a vessel, her spirit starving for remembrance and legacy. The song compares her life to "sleeping through the static of practice," emphasizing the sense of emptiness she feels. The bathroom scene, where the woman is left looking into a dirty mirror, is particularly haunting. This scene underscores the way in which the predator has left her feeling used and trapped, unable to recognize herself.
One of the key themes of the song is the power of self-forgiveness. The singer emphasizes the importance of growing from negative emotions and turning pain into something constructive. Rather than leaving the woman feeling worthless or trapped, the song encourages her to recognize the lies she has been telling herself and to find refuge in self-forgiveness.
Overall, "July" is a powerful song that reflects on the emotional aftermath of sexual assault. The song's message of hope and self-forgiveness is particularly poignant, emphasizing the importance of resilience in the face of trauma.
Line by Line Meaning
I sat down with her, and she told me her story
The singer listened to a woman's story
And I told her I loved her
The singer expressed their love to the woman
And I just wanted to support her through her recovery
The singer wants to help the woman through her struggles
And through conversations I listened
The artist listened to the woman's thoughts and feelings
And I feel like this is the best way to interpret what she told me
The artist believes they have understood the woman's perspective
The devil found a clever way to infiltrate and bring his manipulation
Evil influences found their way into the woman's life
A slender blonde in a cocktail dress
A woman who fits a stereotype of attractiveness
Struggling through the intoxication
The woman was struggling with alcohol abuse
Brought on by the gifting of drinks
Others gave the woman drinks to facilitate her downfall
Until she was ready to pay back in the bedroom
The woman felt compelled to perform sexual favors
In search to appease the demons in her head
The woman was attempting to cope with her inner turmoil
On a sterile surface in the bathroom
The woman had lost control and was engaging in dangerous behavior
Looking into a half-cracked, half-filthy mirror
The woman saw herself in a light that was both broken and dirty
Hoping she doesn′t reflect that half-cracked
The woman was afraid of facing her own damage
And half-filthy receding stain of a smile her mother made when she left
The woman's mother appeared unhappy when they parted
Because the promises she made to herself
The woman had made commitments to herself
Seemed to be the hardest ones to keep
The woman struggled to keep her promises to herself
And knowing she survived the last storm
The woman had previously overcome hardship
Was no longer all she needed to be able to fall asleep
The woman still faced difficulties sleeping
Vacant wine glasses and late night crashes symbolic of her vessel
The woman's drinking habits were evident
With no presentation at the palate
The woman lacked a refined taste for alcohol
But a spirit starving for remembrance
The woman yearned for something meaningful
Some sort of legacy other than her occupation
The woman sought purpose beyond just her job
'Cause her normal skin looked like silk but had been masked by vengeance
Despite her appearance, the woman was troubled by resentment
Baggage under her eyes deep within her overcompensating lies
The woman carried emotional weight and hid behind falsehoods
And all she saw when she gazed into the endless skies
The woman felt hopeless and lost
Was regret from that manipulation
The woman regretted being taken advantage of
This life of sleeping through the static of practice
The woman's daily routine felt monotonous
For the everlasting rush she hoped for
The woman wanted something more exciting
She was somewhat ecstatic but not for the first time
The woman has felt a sense of excitement before
′Cause this was reminiscent of those times
The woman felt like she was reliving past experiences
That she would have those late night drives
The woman would go on aimless drives at night
Those moments when she would look back and say
The woman reflected on her life
"How did I get here?"
The woman was questioning how she ended up in her current situation
Those moments when she would look at old childhood photos and say
The woman felt nostalgia for her past
"How did that child grow up to be like this?
The woman felt disappointed in herself
When did I dismiss the morals that I subscribe to?
The woman felt like she had abandoned her values
I don't know what to do"
The woman felt lost and didn't know how to move forward
And she looks at photos of her beautiful mother in her youth
The woman admires her mother's past beauty
And is envious of that smile she had when she was 22
The woman wishes she could have her mother's joy
And she wishes she could say the same for herself
The woman wants to be happy like her mother was
But she's living this self-perpetuated hell
The woman feels like she is trapped in a self-made hell
'Cause she took the literal stains and the literal scars
The woman dwells on physical damage done to her
And turned them into emotional drain and then she fell apart
The woman internalized her pain and it caused her to break down
I've never really been one
The artist has a tendency to not give second chances
For taking second chances on times that I've been broken
The artist usually doesn't try again after a hardship
But sometimes forgiveness needs to be put in place
The singer recognizes the importance of forgiveness
For someone to actually grow from these negative emotions
Forgiveness can be a catalyst for personal growth
And all that constructive use of the pain is thrown at you
One can use their pain for productive purposes
It's the only way that you can find refuge
Using pain for growth can be a source of comfort
So I'm gonna tell you this, darling
The singer is addressing the woman
Every time you tell yourself you're not worth it
The artist is pointing out common negative self-talk
You're being lied to
The artist recognizes the falsehood in the self-talk
And in that case, the liar is you
The woman is lying to herself and needs to change her mindset
Writer(s): Nick Ingram, Cameron Smith
Contributed by Charlotte Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Out Of Order
"Every time you tell yourself you're worthless, every time you tell yourself, you're not worth it, you're being lied to, and in that case, the liar is you..." That line sparked tears in my eyes.
Allyson Shipman
I relate so hard to that lyric.
DGL's3rdGen
This is poetry with music, and it's absolutely beautiful.
YungAG
coming back to this band after 4 years, i discovered why i'm so sensitive when it comes to relationships
Paula Orozco
My natal language isn't english, but THIS, this band, this song, this melody, those lyrics hit me so badly and lovely at the same time. Amo esta banda.
brotherman
I have been looking for something like this. For so. Fucking. Long. I'm in tears
Ashley Hamilton
Joel Ingalls you may like La Dispute if you like them. Theyre not as good as Hotel Books but theyre similar cx
brotherman
Ashley Hamilton I can never get into LA dispute! I cannot get with them at allll being as an ocean is more my taste.
iNEVIN
Ashley Hamilton not as good? What the fuck are you talking about lol
xchorro
You should listen to being as an ocean