Lyrics, Poetry and Prose VIII
A place to share some words of beauty, inspiration, and fun. This week we feature some songs associated with the Hotel Chelsea in New York City – a hostelry famous for the artists and cultural icons that resided there.
Famous guests included such luminaries as Mark Twain, Tennessee Williams, and Arthur Miller. Dylan Thomas died of pneumonia in 1953 while residing there. Arthur C. Clarke wrote “2001 a Space Odyssey” and Jack Kerouac wrote “On the Road” at the Chelsea. In 1978, Nancy Spungen, a 20-year-old schizophrenic drug addict and former prostitute, was found dead in the hotel room she shared at the hotel with Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols. He was later arrested, but died of a drug overdose while out on bail.
Leonard Cohen wrote about his brief affair at the Chelsea with Janice Joplin, who had a room down the hall. Bob Dylan wrote “San Eyed Lady of the Lowlands,” and Joni Mitchel wrote “Chelsea Morning” at the hotel. Click on the name of the piece to get a video or more information. You have some favorite lyrics? Please share…
I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel,
You were talking so brave and so sweet,
Giving me head on the unmade bed,
While the limousines wait in the street.
– Chelsea Hotel #2 (short version) Singer and Writer:Leonard Cohen
– Chelsea Hotel #1 (long version) Singer and Writer:Leonard Cohen
Sad-eyed lady of the lowlands,
Where the sad-eyed prophet says that no man comes,
My warehouse eyes, my Arabian drums,
Should I leave them by your gate,
Or, sad-eyed lady, should I wait?
– Sad-eyed Lady of the Lowlands Singer: Joan Baez, Writer Bob Dylan
Woke up, it was a Chelsea morning, and the first thing that I saw
Was the sun through yellow curtains, and a rainbow on the wall
Blue, red, green and gold to welcome you, crimson crystal beads to beckon
Oh, won’t you stay, We’ll put on the day
Was the sun through yellow curtains, and a rainbow on the wall
Oh won’t you stay, we-ll put on the day, There’s a sun show every second.
– Chelsea Morning Singer and Writer, Joni Mitchell