Third Week in the Chelsea

Album: Bark (1971)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Jefferson Airplane guitarist Jorma Kaukonen wrote this song, which is about the band's stay in New York City's Chelsea Hotel. Bassist Jack Casady recalled to Uncut magazine: "That's the story of us all spending three weeks in the Chelsea Hotel, and coming to grips with the weight of all those years there'd been, and how we had all been at it non-stop since 1965. I mean, every day."
  • The Chelsea Hotel has been immortalized in several other songs over the years. They include Leonard Cohen's "Chelsea Hotel #2," where the Canadian describes meeting a famous singer in one its elevators that led to a sexual encounter and Bob Dylan's "Sara" in which he reveals that he was, "Stayin' up for days in the Chelsea Hotel writin' 'Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands' for you."
  • Will Scarlett, formerly of Jefferson Airplane spin-off Hot Tuna, guested on harmonica.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Psychedelic Furs lead singer Richard Butler talks about their first album since 1991 and explains what's really going on in "Pretty In Pink."