As Crystal Zevon reports, the song is actually a literal report from the field. Warren had been staying for quite a while at the Hollywood Hawaiin hotel during one of his many "down" periods, and had run out of money and couldn't pay his bill. With the help of a friend (could have been Jackson Browne or Waddy Wachtel, read the book but don't recall), he left through a bathroom window into an alleyway during the night. Felt guilty about leaving an unpaid bill and returned years later to make good, but famous by then, all they would take was an autographed album. Felt like a desperado, escaped "under the eaves", and was tormented by the guilt of filching on his bill.
That is a great story.
Definitely adds depth and resonance to a song already fraught with both.
And I've had that book on my to-do list for years; thanks for the reminder that I really need to get to it.
And, of course, thank you so much for taking the time to share that story here,
O great world-king
That is a great story.
Definitely adds depth and resonance to a song already fraught with both.
And I've had that book on my to-do list for years; thanks for the reminder that I really need to get to it.
And, of course, thank you so much for taking the time to share that story here,
O great world-king
As Crystal Zevon reports, the song is actually a literal report from the field. Warren had been staying for quite a while at the Hollywood Hawaiin hotel during one of his many "down" periods, and had run out of money and couldn't pay his bill. With the help of a friend (could have been Jackson Browne or Waddy Wachtel, read the book but don't recall), he left through a bathroom window into an alleyway during the night. Felt guilty about leaving an unpaid bill and returned years later to make good, but famous by then, all they would take was an autographed album. Felt like a desperado, escaped "under the eaves", and was tormented by the guilt of filching on his bill.
That is a great story. Definitely adds depth and resonance to a song already fraught with both. And I've had that book on my to-do list for years; thanks for the reminder that I really need to get to it. And, of course, thank you so much for taking the time to share that story here, O great world-king
That is a great story. Definitely adds depth and resonance to a song already fraught with both. And I've had that book on my to-do list for years; thanks for the reminder that I really need to get to it. And, of course, thank you so much for taking the time to share that story here, O great world-king