Davis, Jr. was born in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, to Elvera Sanchez, a dancer, and Sammy Davis, Sr., an African-American entertainer. The couple were both dancers in vaudeville. As an infant, he was raised by his paternal grandmother. When he was three years old, his parents split up. His father, not wanting to lose custody of his son, took him on tour. Sammy Davis Jr. claimed that his mother was Puerto Rican, however the 2003 biography In Black and White alleges that he made this claim due to the political sensitivities of the 1960s (during the Cuban Missile Crisis), and that his mother was born in New York of Cuban descent rather than in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
As a child he learned how to dance from his father, Sammy Davis, Sr., and his "uncle" Will Mastin, who led the dance troupe his father worked for. Davis joined the act as a young child in 1928 and they became the Will Mastin Trio. Throughout his long career, Davis included the Will Mastin Trio in his billing.
Mastin and his father had shielded him from racism. Snubs were explained as jealousy. But during World War II, Davis served in the United States Army, where he was first confronted by strong racial prejudice. As he said later, "Overnight the world looked different. It wasn't one color anymore. I could see the protection I'd gotten all my life from my father and Will. I appreciated their loving hope that I'd never need to know about prejudice and hate, but they were wrong. It was as if I'd walked through a swinging door for eighteen years, a door which they had always secretly held open.
There's A Small Hotel
Sammy Davis Jr. Lyrics
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Somewhere alone with you
It could be oh so gay, Junior
You need a laugh or two
A certain place I know, Frankie
Where funny people can have fun
That's where we two will go, darling
Before you can count up
One, two, three, four
There's a small hotel
With a wishing well
I wish that we were there together
There's a bridal suite
One room bright and neat
Complete for us to share together
Looking through the window
You can see a distant steeple
Not a sign of people
Who wants people?
When the steeple bell says, 'Goodnight, sleep well'
We'll thank the small hotel
We'll creep into our little shell
And we will thank the small hotel together
The opening lines of this song express the desire to escape with someone special to a place where they can share a carefree and joyful time. The use of "Junior" and "Frankie" hints at a familiar and friendly relationship between the two speakers. The suggestion of a "funny people" place creates the expectation of an enjoyable and humorous outing. The anticipation builds as they approach the destination, a picturesque small hotel with a wishing well, a bridal suite and a perfect setting for a romantic getaway.
The lyrics paint a picture of two people seeking solitude and privacy, away from the noisy crowds and hustle and bustle of busy places. They long for a peaceful and serene environment where they can relax and unwind together. The reference to the steeple and absence of people hints at a place that is not overrun with tourists or overly commercialized. The feeling of being secluded and hidden away adds to the appeal of the small hotel.
The final lines of the song suggest a quiet and intimate experience. The mention of a "little shell" implies a cozy and secure space, where the two of them can be alone and share a special moment together. The gratitude expressed towards the small hotel demonstrates the meaningfulness of their time spent there.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd like to get away, Junior
I want to escape and spend some time with you, Junior.
Somewhere alone with you
I want to be somewhere quietly with just you.
It could be oh so gay, Junior
We could have so much fun, Junior, if we go to the right place.
You need a laugh or two
I think you need to have some fun and enjoy a laugh or two.
A certain place I know, Frankie
I know of a certain place, Frankie.
Where funny people can have fun
The place is full of funny people having fun.
That's where we two will go, darling
So that's where we'll go, my dear.
Before you can count up
Very quickly,
One, two, three, four
In just a few seconds.
There's a small hotel
We'll arrive at a small hotel.
With a wishing well
The hotel has a wishing well.
I wish that we were there together
I wish we were already there together.
There's a bridal suite
The hotel has a special room for newlyweds.
One room bright and neat
The room is clean and cheerful looking.
Complete for us to share together
It will be perfect for us to share together.
Looking through the window
As we look out the window,
You can see a distant steeple
We can see a church steeple in the distance.
Not a sign of people
There is not a person to be seen.
Who wants people?
Who needs people around when we're together?
When the steeple bell says, 'Goodnight, sleep well'
When the church bell signals the end of the day and wishes us a goodnight's rest,
We'll thank the small hotel
We'll be grateful to the small hotel.
We'll creep into our little shell
We'll retire to our private room.
And we will thank the small hotel together
And we'll be thankful for this experience together.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LORENZ HART, RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind