That’s right folks, its a another song in the heartbreak series. So after the initial sadness of a breakup, there is the anger that its over, only to have sadness come back, taking root in none other than the Heartbreak Hotel.
Day 5) Heartbreak Hotel
So this is a famous Elvis song, as I don’t really need tell you, I’m sure you know. The song was written by Tommy Durden and Mae Boren Axton. The song in itself is sad but the story behind it is even sadder. The lyrics are actually based on a suicide of a man who jumped from a hotel window. How horrible.
The single topped Billboard‘s Top 100 chart for seven weeks, and became Presley’s first million dollar seller, even going double platinum. It became a staple of Presley’s repertoire in live appearances, and was last performed by him on May 29, 1977 at the Civic Center in Baltimore, Maryland.
Heartbreak Hotel recieved many awards through its lifetime: in 1995 it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame; in 2004 Rolling Stone magazine named it one of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time“; and included it in their list “500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll”.
So the whole song is about a “Heartbreak Hotel” that is open for those who have recently had their heartbroken and need to be around others who are miserable to help them through it. It’s kind of that misery loves company deal. I liked listening to it, because it felt like others understood your suffering and were there for you.
Well, since my baby left me,
I found a new place to dwell.
It’s down at the end of lonely street
at Heartbreak Hotel.
You make me so lonely baby,
I get so lonely,
I get so lonely I could die.
And although it’s always crowded,
you still can find some room.
Where broken hearted lovers
do cry away their gloom.
You make me so lonely baby,
I get so lonely,
I get so lonely I could die.
Well, the Bell hop’s tears keep flowin’,
and the desk clerk’s dressed in black.
Well they been so long on lonely street
They ain’t ever gonna look back.
You make me so lonely baby,
I get so lonely,
I get so lonely I could die.
Hey now, if your baby leaves you,
and you got a tale to tell.
Just take a walk down lonely street
to Heartbreak Hotel.
Yes the heart will break
But remember:
To start the Heartbreak series from the beginning, go to If It Means a Lot to You
To go to the previous song, go to Now You’re Gone
For more of my favorite songs, go to I Don’t Love You
For more of my favorite quotes, go to Girl on Fire
For more on Downton Abbey, go to A Hunky Helping of Manwich
janeaustenrunsmylife 