Does anyone know what this song means? I really like it, musically, and I think I like the lyrics too.
I think Otis & Marlena are husband and wife, on a vacation at a hotel (the Miami Royal?).
In her ballrooms heads of state--
In her bedrooms rented girls--
"her" refers to the hotel. Even though the song is called Otis & Marlena, I think it's really about the hotel.
The only thing I really don't get is that "while Muslims stick up Washington" line. I'm sure it's significant, and I feel like it must be sarcastic, unless Joni hated Muslims???
I'd be really interested, if anyone knows the definitive answer.
I'd be really interested, if anyone knows the definitive answer.
I'd always presumed the song was probably written during/ after the Opec Oil Crisis (1973) and referred to muslim states holding the US government to ransom over oil exports.
I'd always presumed the song was probably written during/ after the Opec Oil Crisis (1973) and referred to muslim states holding the US government to ransom over oil exports.
The rich, elderly subjects of the song seem blissfully ignorant of any political crisis, while they spend their abundant funds on beauty treatments etc.
The rich, elderly subjects of the song seem blissfully ignorant of any political crisis, while they spend their abundant funds on beauty treatments etc.
I think it's more about Florida and it's American tourist trade generally (ref "Some Like It Hot"!), rather than the hotel specifically.
I think it's more about Florida and it's American tourist trade generally (ref "Some Like It Hot"!), rather than the hotel specifically.
Does anyone know what this song means? I really like it, musically, and I think I like the lyrics too.
I think Otis & Marlena are husband and wife, on a vacation at a hotel (the Miami Royal?).
In her ballrooms heads of state-- In her bedrooms rented girls--
"her" refers to the hotel. Even though the song is called Otis & Marlena, I think it's really about the hotel.
The only thing I really don't get is that "while Muslims stick up Washington" line. I'm sure it's significant, and I feel like it must be sarcastic, unless Joni hated Muslims???
I'd be really interested, if anyone knows the definitive answer.
I'd be really interested, if anyone knows the definitive answer.
I'd always presumed the song was probably written during/ after the Opec Oil Crisis (1973) and referred to muslim states holding the US government to ransom over oil exports.
I'd always presumed the song was probably written during/ after the Opec Oil Crisis (1973) and referred to muslim states holding the US government to ransom over oil exports.
The rich, elderly subjects of the song seem blissfully ignorant of any political crisis, while they spend their abundant funds on beauty treatments etc.
The rich, elderly subjects of the song seem blissfully ignorant of any political crisis, while they spend their abundant funds on beauty treatments etc.
I think it's more about Florida and it's American tourist trade generally (ref "Some Like It Hot"!), rather than the hotel specifically.
I think it's more about Florida and it's American tourist trade generally (ref "Some Like It Hot"!), rather than the hotel specifically.