Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
Conor played this song in Omaha, NE on 03/09/17. Before playing it, he said it was “sort of a true crime story about two brothers.” Conor had an older brother named Matthew (possibly the Matthew referenced in the song) who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in November 2016.
[Verse 1]
Order an Old Fashioned with a splash of Grand Marnier
I'll be there in ten minutes if you'll stay
I don't wanna argue, but I gotta tell you straight
And better if it happens face-to-face
[Verse 2]
They're lookin' for you, brother, they keep stoppin' by the house
They're waitin' at my work when I get out
What do you think would happen if they'd followed me here now?
Do you really think they'd let it go?
Well, judgin' by your silence, the answer's no
[Chorus]
It's not true, Matthew, no, it's nothing like before
They know exactly where you're gonna be
In that presidential suite up on the 37th floor
With your feet propped up, watchin' the TV
With a tray of food you're never gonna eat
And some shit excuse that no one would believe
In that empty hotel by the sea
[Verse 3]
Now, when it's over, I'll be talkin' to your grave
You might as well hear what I'll say
I can't forgive you and I'll never sing your praise
Why'd you always have to get your way?
[Verse 4]
Now, you're a legend to those sick Neanderthals
The ones who count the bullet holes
Can't help admiring the splatter on the walls
Like cherry blossoms in the spring
Oh, it's a thing of beauty till it gets cleaned
[Chorus]
It's not true, Matthew, no, it's nothing like before
They know exactly where you're gonna be
In that presidential suite up on the 37th floor
With a blindfold on, tryin' to fall asleep
While your rental car's on fire in the street
And the snowflakes fallin' softly on the beach
In that empty hotel by the sea
Oh, it's
It's not true, Matthew, no, it won't be like before
They know exactly where you're bound to be
In that presidential suite up on the 37th floor
With your fingers broken, pickin' up your teeth
With the realization you were in too deep
With some final words that no one will repeat
While the snow's still fallin' softly on the beach
In that empty hotel by the sea
Empty Hotel by the Sea was written by Conor Oberst.
Empty Hotel by the Sea was produced by Jim Keltner & Conor Oberst.
Conor Oberst released Empty Hotel by the Sea on Fri Mar 17 2017.