John Cale's song "Heartbreak Hotel" is a cover of the famous song written by Mae Boren Axton, Tommy Durden, and Elvis Presley. The lyrics portray the feelings of loneliness, heartbreak, and despair after a loved one leaves. The song begins with the narrator expressing how, since their baby left, they have found themselves in a new, desolate place called Heartbreak Hotel. This location symbolizes their emotional state and the feeling of being alone. They emphasize their loneliness and even mention feeling like they could die from the pain. Despite the hotel being crowded, the narrator suggests that there is still space for broken-hearted lovers to cry and find solace. The image of broken-hearted people is used to depict a shared experience and perhaps a sense of comfort in knowing that others are also suffering. The Bell hop and the desk clerk are mentioned in the third verse, both dressed in black, as if mourning the never-ending sadness on lonely street. This further reinforces the idea that Heartbreak Hotel is a place where people are stuck in their heartbreak and may never recover. The chorus is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the loneliness and despair that consumes the narrator's life. They feel the pain deeply and express their strong emotional state. The song serves as an emotional expression of heartbreak and the deep loneliness that accompanies it. It paints a vivid picture of a person trapped in their sorrow, unable to escape the feelings of loss and despair.
