Hotel Yorba was a breath of fresh air the first time I heard it on MTV2 (or was it VH1?).–you know, back when MTV2 played music videos. The song’s simple sound really stood out amongst the overly produced “alternative” crap, the lousy hip-hop, the terribly bad girl-pop, and the excrescent bad metal. Three chords, very minimal and hopeful, heck, the first time I’d heard skiffle since Lonnie Donnegan, just a really great sound. I fell in love with the song immediately.
The meaning of the song is very straightforward, about a man and woman in love. I love the heartfelt, honest feeling behind Jack White’s vocals, however, and that’s something else that really makes it all work.
And of course, the lyrics:
I was watching
With one eye on the other side
I had fifteen people telling me to move
I got moving on my mind
I found shelter
In some thoughts turning wheels around
I said 39 times that I love you
To the beauty I had found
Well its 1 2 3 4
Take the elevator
At the Hotel Yorba
I’ll be glad to see you later
All they got inside is vacancy
I’ve been thinking
Of a little place down by the lake
They got a dirty little road leading up to the house
I wonder how long it will take ’till we’re alone
Sitting on the front porch of that home
Stomping our feet on the wooden boards
Never gonna worry about locking the door
Well it’s 1 2 3 4
Take the elevator
At the Hotel Yorba
I’ll be glad to see you later
All they got inside is vacancy
It might sound silly
For me to think childish thoughts like these
But I’m so tired of acting tough
And I’m gonna do what i please
Let’s get married
In a big cathedral by a priest
‘Cause if I’m the man that you love the most
You could say I do at least
Well it’s 1 2 3 4
Take the elevator
At the Hotel Yorba
I’ll be glad to see you later
All they got inside is vacancy
And it’s 4 5 6 7
Grab your umbrella
Grab hold of me
‘Cause I’m your favorite fella
All they got inside is vacancy
