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Broadway Hotel Lyrics

You told the man in the Broadway Hotel
Nothing was stranger than being yourself
And he replied, with a tear in his eye
Love was a rollaway
Just a cajole away
Mist on a summer's day
Nothing was clear
Love was a smile away
Just a defile away
I sought it every way
No-one came near.

You asked the man for a room with a view
Nothing was said as he stared at his shoe
Then he replied as he gave you the key
Love was a rollaway
Just an unfold away
That's all there is to say
No-one came near.

Alone in your room you hide
as the night rolls by
In the street outside
And you feel over the words he said
Till they turn to rain all around your head.

You're seeking a hideaway
Where the light of day
Doesn't touch your face
And a door-sign keeps the world away
Behind the shades
Of your silent day.

You made your home in the Broadway Hotel
Room service came at the push of a bell
And the man said as he put down the tray
Love was a stealaway
Just a reveal away
I tried to find a way
Nothing was clear
Then as he turned away
You asked the man to stay
He was there all the day
No-one came near.
3 Meanings

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Cover art for Broadway Hotel lyrics by Al Stewart

I believe this is a story about a man finding out he is gay. he's at a junction in his life, where he considers being gay assosciated with words like cajole and "defile". as something impure. "room with a view" i believe means he's still exploring. and not ready to commit." you feel over the words he said" he's alone in his room "no one came near" pondering.the realisation makes him ashamed "seeking a hideaway...behind the shades..."when the man comes with the tray he uses different words to realisation "reveal" "find a way" and thats about it, he asks him to stay, as lovers, no one came near.

@Kitten79 Thanks Kitten, lol, I thought it was just me, but thats the impression I got too. I really connected with this song from the age of 14 on, coincidentally I came out at the age of 37, lol,

Cover art for Broadway Hotel lyrics by Al Stewart

Not necessarily a gay man, Al can write convincingly from a female point of view. A sad song of lonely people who've been made cynical by failed love consenting to have a sexual encounter in a hotel.

Cover art for Broadway Hotel lyrics by Al Stewart

On an interview disc to promote the Year Of The Cat album, Al Stewart explained: "It's a very strange song. It's about a woman who checks into a hotel in order to be alone. She's alone for a little while and she orders room service. The man who comes up and brings the trey begins a lengthy relationship with her. They lock themselves in the room for about a week and then they order room service."

 
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