In the 1980s Russell made four albums credited to the Tom Russell Band. These featured Andrew Hardin and accordionist Fats Kaplin.
In the 1990s Russell made a number of solo albums, collaborated with blues singer Barrence Whitfield on two albums, and also recorded an acoustic album mixing original material with his favorite cowboy-themed songs. His albums include several guest appearances from other folk, country, and Americana artists, such as Chris Gaffney and Dave Alvin. His song "Outbound Plane", co-written with Nanci Griffith, became a Top Ten country hit for Suzy Bogguss. His most significant album from this period is the 1999 folk opera, The Man From God Knows Where.
His more recent albums include "Blood and Candle Smoke" (2009) and "Mesabi" (2011).
American Hotel
Tom Russell Lyrics
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Raised the bottle to his mouth.
Pictures danced inside his head,
Gentle breezes from the south,
Cotton fields with voices ringin' low,
Old Black Joe.
And here's to one tender and fair
Raised a banjo to her knee,
Sang a lovely melody.
Weep no more, my lady; shed your care.
I'll be there.
And the Swanee River runs outside the door,
And the whiskey bottles gather on the floor,
And the camp-town ladies stop and ring the bell
Of the American Hotel.
He wrote a song for ev'ryone,
Lifted hearts throughout the land.
Now his world's an empty one,
A broken dream and a tremblin' hand,
Sad and weary ev'rywhere he'd roam,
Kentucky home.
And the Swanee River runs outside the door,
And the whiskey bottles gather on the floor,
And the camp-town ladies stop and ring the bell
Of the American Hotel.
The lyrics to Tom Russell's American Hotel paint a vivid picture of a man named Stephen who is in a state of intoxication and is lost in his memories. He is lying on a bed and raises a bottle to his mouth, all the while pictures dance inside his head. The imagery of cotton fields and old songs like Old Black Joe evoke feelings of nostalgia and melancholy. The mention of Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair and her playing of the banjo only adds to the overall theme of longing for a simpler, happier time. The lyrics continue to describe the setting of the American Hotel with the sounds of the Swanee River and the gathering of whiskey bottles on the floor. The camp-town ladies stopping to ring the bell only adds to the sense of loneliness and longing that pervades the song.
The lyrics continue with a mention of someone who wrote songs to lift the hearts of people across the land. However, this individual's world has become empty, and he is left with nothing but broken dreams and a trembling hand. He is sad and weary, unable to find comfort in his surroundings. The final chorus once again describes the setting of the American Hotel with the Swanee River running outside the door, the whiskey bottles gathering on the floor, and the camp-town ladies ringing the bell.
In essence, the song is a poignant representation of a life wasted and regretful. The setting of the American Hotel and the imagery described in the lyrics all reinforce the themes of longing and nostalgia that pervade the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Stephen sprawled across the bed,
Stephen is lying across the bed in a relaxed position.
Raised the bottle to his mouth.
He lifts the bottle to his mouth to take a swig of alcohol.
Pictures danced inside his head,
Memories and images are vividly replaying in his mind.
Gentle breezes from the south,
Delicate winds are blowing from the south of his location.
Cotton fields with voices ringin' low,
The cotton fields are producing low murmurs and sounds.
Old Black Joe.
Referring to the famous song 'Old Black Joe' by Stephen Foster.
And here's to one tender and fair
Cheers to the charming and beautiful.
Jeannie with the light brown hair
Jeannie, who has light brown hair, is being acknowledged.
Raised a banjo to her knee,
Jeannie elevated the banjo towards her lap.
Sang a lovely melody.
She sang a beautiful, charming tune.
Weep no more, my lady; shed your care.
Don't cry, my dear; leave your worries behind.
I'll be there.
I will always be here for you.
And the Swanee River runs outside the door,
The Swanee River flows nearby the hotel.
And the whiskey bottles gather on the floor,
Empty or partially empty bottles of whiskey are littered across the floor.
And the camp-town ladies stop and ring the bell
Working women stop at the hotel's front desk to announce their arrival.
Of the American Hotel.
They are at the American Hotel, a resting place for travelers.
He wrote a song for ev'ryone,
He composed a song for anybody to enjoy.
Lifted hearts throughout the land.
His music moved and elevated the spirits of the entire country.
Now his world's an empty one,
His life is now empty and meaningless.
A broken dream and a tremblin' hand,
He is left with shattered hopes and a trembling hand.
Sad and weary ev'rywhere he'd roam,
He feels heavy-hearted and fatigued as he travels.
Kentucky home.
His thoughts are filled with his homeland of Kentucky.
Contributed by Declan C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.