This week we offer songs depicting HOUSES and HOTELS in various scenarios and metaphors.

Elton John starts the show with his House of Cards, a song that lends itself to a number of interpretations but possibly relates to gambling as does the Animals The House of the Rising Sun. Brook Benton’s lyrics to Hotel Happiness are symbolic of his moving on from being lonely and Jimmy Buffet gives a definitive description of the room in his song This Hotel Room. The Grammy winning Hotel California by The Eagles proposes a perspective of living the high life in Los Angeles.

This Ole House by Shakin’ Stevens chronicles the life of a family home while Elvis’ Jailhouse Rock is a narration of life on the inside where inmates are mentally escaping through music. Donnie Brooks is building a Doll’s House for his loved one, Elvis is living down at Heartbreak Hotel since his loved one has left him, Marty Robbins meets his ‘baby’ Sitting in a Tree House and Ella Fitzgerald presents the song There’s a Small Hotel from the 1936 Broadway musical ‘On Your Toes’.

 

PLAYLIST

* House of Cards – Elton John

* Hotel Happiness – Brook Benton

* Hotel California – The Eagles

* House of the Rising Sun – The Animals

* This Hotel Room – Jimmy Buffet

* There’s a Small Hotel – Ella Fitzgerald

* This Ole House – Shakin’ Stevens

* Jailhouse Rock – Elvis Presley

* Doll’s House – Donnie Brooks

* Heartbreak Hotel – Elvis Presley

* Sittin’ in a Tree House – Marty Robbins