Whiskeyclone, Hotel City 1997

The lyrics on this one, as well as a bunck of other songs on Mellow Gold (Snoozer, Soul Suckin Jerk, Truckdriving Neighbors Downstairs...), seem to reflect the issues of someone living on the lowest rung of society, just barely making enough to pay the rent on time.

I would guess this song was written when Beck was wondering if he would ever get signed by a major label, or get stuck doing crappy jobs just to get by for the rest of his life.

The song's narrator has been working as a dishwasher in a hotel for so long, he has almost no memory of anything before (hence the comment, "I was born in this hotel"). His crappy low wage job has left him unfufilled in every sense, so he does his best to not think about how his life is absolute...I'm gonna say "sewage."

This song really got me down when I first listened, especially the "I'll be lonesome when I'm gone." The narrator doesn't even see death as an escape.

"I'll be lonesome when I'm gone" is a reference to losing himself, it's slowly happening. It's also a feeling of himself being the only person who cares what happens to him.

sounds like he's going to come back and haunt the place. full of nothing but bad memories for him. also, he seems to be realizing his choices led him far from where he wanted, or what he thought he deserved. no friends, jealousy of the rich car owners...he definitely sees a giant dildo crushing the sun... Great song though. highly expressive.

I love this this song. I like how it starts out with the acoustic low slow chord progression over the bass with the wierd rythem of the slide notes over it. it really sets the whole mood of the song. I really like that "i'll be lonesome when i'm gone" line i agree with LoPro on the meaning of that one.. I can relate to the "Trying hard not to think" line from the last time i was working at my last soul sucking job.

In the last verse He's committed suicide, The Rattlesnake is a Native American omen of death, and 'Gunpowder on my sleeve' is self explanatory.