Little Hotel Room
Ray Charles & Merle Haggard Lyrics
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As I sit here sippin' on a glass of wine
There′s a working telephone beside my bed
The way the calls are coming in, you'd think the line was dead
Oh, there's no place like home
And it′s lonesome in this little hotel room
There′s a picture hanging crooked on the wall
The music on the radio plays on
For a moment there, I thought they were playing our song
Oh, there's no place like home
And it′s lonesome in this little hotel room
From the window I can see a falling star
I wonder if you see it where you are
And wouldn't it be something if it′s true
That you would make the same wish that I do
Oh, there's no place like home
And it′s lonesome in this little hotel room
In "Little Hotel Room," Ray Charles and Merle Haggard express the loneliness that accompanies being away from home for extended periods. The song's lyrics convey the feeling of being trapped in a bleak hotel room far from loved ones. The singer starts by saying that he didn't envision celebrating alone, as he is drinking wine in a hotel room with a working telephone. He expresses his boredom by saying that calls 'come through as if the line was dead' despite his expectation of receiving company. The chorus emphasizes his uneasiness, with the phrase “There's no place like home, and it′s lonesome in this little hotel room.”
The second verse is descriptive, with the plaster on the ceiling barely holding on, and the picture hanging crooked on the wall. The singer mentions the music playing on the radio, which almost reminds him of their song, which further drives home the fact that they are far from home. Finally, in the last verse, the singer looks out the window and sees a falling star. He wonders if the other person can see it, and if they did, would they make the same wish as he did. This suggests that he is not alone and that his wishes are directed towards his loved one. This song articulates an all-too-familiar story of homesickness that those who travel extensively for work or study often encounter.
Line by Line Meaning
A one man celebration ain′t what I had in mind
I didn't plan on being alone for this occasion
As I sit here sippin' on a glass of wine
I'm drinking wine while thinking about my situation
There′s a working telephone beside my bed
There's a phone nearby that keeps ringing
The way the calls are coming in, you'd think the line was dead
The calls are infrequent and unexpected
Oh, there's no place like home
Being away from home is tough
And it′s lonesome in this little hotel room
I feel lonely in this small space
The plaster on the ceiling just about to fall
The ceiling is in poor condition and could collapse
There′s a picture hanging crooked on the wall
The picture on the wall is not level
The music on the radio plays on
The radio is playing softly in the background
For a moment there, I thought they were playing our song
The song on the radio briefly reminded me of a special memory with someone else
From the window I can see a falling star
I can see a shooting star through the window
I wonder if you see it where you are
I'm wondering if someone else is watching the same sight
And wouldn't it be something if it′s true
It would be remarkable if we both experienced the same thing
That you would make the same wish that I do
It's possible that we both have the same wish in that moment
Writer(s): Freddy Powers
Contributed by London L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@emiliovaqueromartin1656
For me Merle the best singer al time country music. Ray Charles master the soul and Jazz Music. Thanks heaven for singin together in 1984
@dawnstrydom4031
LOVE IT
@marilyncallachan
WOW!!! LOVING THIS GOOD OLD OLDIE, SUPER SONG, SUPER SINGERS❤❤❤❤
@beritsamuelsson3490
SÅ FINT
@MissKitty-qf7jp
Love merle great singer god bless thanks love love 2019
@billclorraineg
Great song by the great Merle and the great Ray Charles. LorraineG.
@lloydworcester3131
Awesome song from Hag and Say hey Ray