Hacienda Hotel

Album: Can't Talk Medicine (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Hacienda Hotel" was the first song that Pickwick wrote after deciding to change their indie folk sound for good. Guitarist Michael Parker played around with the song's opening riff while singer Galen Disston used the upstairs bathroom upstairs. Disston began singing with the riff. Half an hour later they completed the song and got their first foothold into the "indie-rock/neo-soul" sound that came to define them.
  • The song is about Sam Cooke's murder at the Hacienda Hotel in Los Angeles, California. The song was one of the band's biggest hits in Seattle, the city they call home. On July 22, 2011, it was the Song of the Day on 90.3 KEXP Seattle.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Timothy B. Schmit

Timothy B. SchmitSongwriter Interviews

The longtime Eagle talks about soaring back to his solo career, and what he learned about songwriting in the group.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?