The White Hotel
Ian McCulloch Lyrics


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I want to be on that
White capped mountain peak
Above the lake above my station
A moving carriage
The perfect marriage
Of like apart from destination

Ringing all the bells
Down at the white hotel
Tonight

I want to write the letters
Of persecution
To someone I don't know who doesn't know me
I want to be the dust
Inside a vacuum
An icecube frozen in the melting sea

Ringing all the bells
Down at the white hotel
Ringing all the bells
Down at the white hotel


Tonight
Tonight

Ringing all the bells
Down at the white hotel
Ringing all the bells
Down at the white hotel
Tonight
Tonight

Ringing all the bells
Down at the white hotel
Ringing all the bells
Down at the white hotel
Tonight
Tonight
Tonight
Tonight
Tonight
Tonight




Tonight
Tonight

Overall Meaning

The White Hotel by Ian McCulloch is a nostalgic, nostalgic song about a desire to escape from one's mundane existence into something greater. It speaks of an idealized, pristine image of a white capped mountain peak overlooking a lake, as well as a moving carriage, which represents the idea of progress, travel and exploration. The longing for these things is emphasized in the lines "I want to be on that/White capped mountain peak/Above the lake above my station/The perfect marriage/Of like apart from destination.". This notion of being above one's station is common in literature and film, and McCulloch plays upon it here with great effect.


The second verse of the song is tinged with a sense of melancholy, with the singer wanting to write letters of persecution to someone they don't know. The desire to be the dust inside of a vacuum and an icecube frozen in the melting sea adds to this sense of longing to be part of something larger and important. The lyrics could be interpreted in different ways, but they seem to allude to a desire to escape the limitations of one's own life and to become part of a bigger picture.


Overall, the song speaks to a powerful desire to inspire and be inspired by something greater than oneself, and to transcend one's own limitations. The ringing of all the bells "Down at the white hotel" is a metaphor for the joy and exhilaration that such an escape would bring.


Line by Line Meaning

I want to be on that White capped mountain peak
I desire to be on the highest point of a snow-capped mountain, overlooking the lake below my social status.


Above the lake above my station
I wish to be above the lake and above my social class.


A moving carriage
I desire to be in a moving carriage, symbolizing the ever-changing nature of life.


The perfect marriage Of like apart from destination
I imagine a perfect union of two alike individuals, despite having different dreams and goals.


Ringing all the bells Down at the white hotel Tonight
I long for celebration, joy, and merrymaking by ringing all bells at The White Hotel tonight.


I want to write the letters Of persecution To someone I don't know who doesn't know me
I wish to write letters of oppression to someone who I have no connection with and vice versa.


I want to be the dust Inside a vacuum An icecube frozen in the melting sea
I yearn to be insignificant, a nonentity, and to be frozen like an ice cube melting away in an ocean, ultimately vanishing.


Tonight Tonight Ringing all the bells Down at the white hotel Ringing all the bells Down at the white hotel
Repeatedly emphasizing the grand celebration, joy, and ringing of bells at The White Hotel tonight.


Tonight Tonight Tonight Tonight Tonight Tonight Tonight Tonight
Further emphasizing that everything is taking place tonight, with a hint of urgency and excitement.




Contributed by Chase A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Flakeway

I still have my cassette copy of Candleland.

Scott Padamonsky

my tape is beat to hell!

pigyob

Still got my vinyl copy!

Ian McCulloch

Ian is one of my favorite artist one of my more favorite album along with echo and the bunnymen

Pablo Martinez

it was about time to see this true gem uploaded . Thanks!

anaranjadisimo

masterful songwriting

Nigel Heathcote

Just played this album to my kids, they loved it, not just me then , watch yer base bins I’m tellin yer.

anaranjadisimo

masterful songwriting

LZR CLH

The drummer in song is Boris Williams (ex-The Cure).

Eugene Jacquescoley

Candleland es soooooooooo goodddddddd!

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