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<!-- Please do not remove or change this AfD message until the discussion has been closed. -->
{{Infobox single | <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Albums -->
| Name = (She Was A) Hotel Detective {{Article for deletion/dated|page=(She Was A) Hotel Detective|timestamp=20250112191906|year=2025|month=January|day=12|substed=yes|help=off}}
<!-- Once discussion is closed, please place on talk page: {{Old AfD multi|page=(She Was A) Hotel Detective|date=12 January 2025|result='''keep'''}} -->
⚫ | Artist = ]
<!-- End of AfD message, feel free to edit beyond this point -->
⚫ | Cover = TheyMightBeGiants-SheWasAHotelDetective.png
{{Infobox song
⚫ | Released = {{startdate|1988|05|05}}
⚫ | name = (She Was A) Hotel Detective
⚫ | Recorded = 1988
⚫ | cover = TheyMightBeGiants-SheWasAHotelDetective.png
⚫ | Studio = ], ] and Charles Eller Studio, ]
| Genre = ] | alt =
| caption = Cover art designed by Mark Marek
⚫ | Length = {{Duration|m=11|s=01}}
| type = single
⚫ | Label = ], ] <small>(])</small><br /> ]<small> (])</small>
| Writer = ], ] | artist = ]
⚫ | album = ]
⚫ | Producer = Bill Krauss
⚫ | released = {{startdate|1988|05|05}}
⚫ | Last single = "]"<br />(1987)
| format =
⚫ | This single = "'''(She Was A) Hotel Detective'''"<br />(1988)
| Next single = "]"<br />(1988) | recorded = 1988
⚫ | studio = ], ] and Charles Eller Studio, ]
| venue =
| genre = ]
⚫ | length = {{Duration|m=11|s=01}}
⚫ | label = ], ] <small>(])</small><br /> ]<small> (])</small>
| writer = ], ]
⚫ | producer = Bill Krauss
⚫ | prev_title = ]
| prev_year = 1987
| next_title = ]
⚫ | next_year = 1988
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|w9-dwPTQjGg|(She Was A) Hotel Detective}}}}
}} }}
{{Album ratings {{Album ratings
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| rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}} <ref> ]. Retrieved 2009-12-10.</ref> | rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}} <ref> ]. Retrieved 2009-12-10.</ref>
}} }}
"'''(She Was A) Hotel Detective'''" is a song and single by ] band ]. It was released as a single two years after the release of '']'', the album on which it originally appeared. The "Hotel Detective" title has become a somewhat recurring theme for the band. "'''(She Was A) Hotel Detective'''" is a song and single by ] band ]. It was released as a single on May 5, 1988, two years after the release of '']'', the album on which it originally appeared. The "Hotel Detective" title has become a somewhat recurring theme for the band.


As in the single release of "]", the version of the song on the "Hotel Detective" single is slightly different from the album version. In this case, a drum track fades in to open the song, and Linnell's saxophone is more prominent. Additionally, Peter Pearmain Thomson sings backing vocals, whereas on the album, the backing vocals are sung by ].<ref>''(She Was A) Hotel Detective'' EP liner notes, 1989.</ref> As in the single release of "]", the version of the song on the "Hotel Detective" single is slightly different from the album version. In this case, a drum track fades in to open the song, and Linnell's saxophone is more prominent. Additionally, Peter Pearmain Thomson sings backing vocals, whereas on the album, the backing vocals are sung by ].<ref>''(She Was A) Hotel Detective'' EP liner notes, 1989.</ref>


The entire contents of the EP also appear on the compilation album '']''. The track "Kiss Me, Son of God" went on to be re-recorded and released on the band's 1988 album, '']''. Neither the CD release nor the 12" release of the EP list the untitled track in their respective track listings. The track consists of a conversation recorded on Dial-A-Song's answering machine between a listener known only as "Gloria" and an unknown male.<ref> tmbg.org. Retrieved 2009-12-10.</ref> The entire contents of the EP also appear on the compilation album '']''. The track "Kiss Me, Son of God" went on to be re-recorded and released on the band's 1988 album, '']''. Neither the CD release nor the 12" release of the EP list the untitled track in their respective track listings. The track consists of a conversation recorded on Dial-A-Song's answering machine between a listener known only as Gloria and an unknown male.<ref> tmbg.org. Retrieved 2009-12-10.</ref>


=="Hotel Detective" series == =="Hotel Detective" series==
The song "(She Was A) Hotel Detective", which was written by ], first appeared on '']'', the band's debut album. It was later followed up by "She Was a Hotel Detective", which appeared on an ], '']'', released in 1994. The musically irrelevant sequel was written by ], "in the tradition of ']' and ']'".<ref>Flansburgh, John and John Linnell. "". TMBG.com. Retrieved 2012-10-05.</ref> The lyrics to "She Was A Hotel Detective" (the sequel) include the phrase "motel directive", which is transcribed between the leadout grooves of the original ''Hotel Detective'' vinyl EP. The song "(She Was A) Hotel Detective", which was written by ], first appeared on '']'', the band's debut album. It was later followed up by "She Was a Hotel Detective", which appeared on an ], '']'', released in 1994. The sequel was written by ], "in the tradition of ']' and ']{{'"}}.<ref>Flansburgh, John and John Linnell. "". TMBG.com. Retrieved 2012-10-05.</ref> The lyrics to "She Was A Hotel Detective" (the sequel) include the phrase "motel directive", which is transcribed between the leadout grooves of the original ''Hotel Detective'' vinyl EP.


A second sequel, "(She Was A) Hotel Detective in the Future", was released on the band's podcast, and subsequently on a CD compilation of songs from the podcast, '']''. This final sequel was followed by a fake "commentary track" for the song, which was actually far longer than the song itself.<ref>{{cite podcast |url=http://www.tmbg.com/_media/_pod/TMBGPodcast5A.mp3 |title=Podcast 5A |first=John |last=Flansburgh |publisher=They Might Be Giants |date=13 March 2006 |accessdate=2012-10-05}}</ref> A second sequel, "(She Was A) Hotel Detective in the Future", was released on the band's podcast, and subsequently on a CD compilation of songs from the podcast, '']''. This final sequel was followed by a fake "commentary track" for the song, which was far longer than the song itself.<ref>{{Cite podcast |url=http://www.tmbg.com/_media/_pod/TMBGPodcast5A.mp3 |title=Podcast 5A |publisher=They Might Be Giants |last=Flansburgh |first=John |date=13 March 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610202846/http://www.tmbg.com/_media/_pod/TMBGPodcast5A.mp3 |archive-date=2015-06-10 |url-status=dead |accessdate=2012-10-05}}</ref>


== Music video == == Music video ==
The music video for "(She Was A) Hotel Detective" was directed by ].<ref> on ]. Retrieved 2012-08-11.</ref> Some portions of the video show cartoons of the two Johns, animated by Joey Ahlbum.<ref name="weiskopf">Myke Weiskopf interview with ], 1995. Archived ]. Retrieved 2012-10-04.</ref> The video is split between these animated segments and segments of John Flansburgh and John Linnell performing the song in a dark room in front of a large <small>"ROCK MUSIC"</small> sign. The video is intentionally over-indulgent, but John and John were unhappy with the final result.<ref name="weiskopf" /><ref>'']'', 2003 DVD special features.</ref> The music video for "(She Was A) Hotel Detective" was directed by ].<ref>{{IMDb title|title=They Might Be Giants: (She Was A) Hotel Detective}}</ref> Some portions of the video show cartoons of the two Johns, animated by Joey Ahlbum.<ref name="weiskopf">Myke Weiskopf interview with ], 1995. Archived ]. Retrieved 2012-10-04.</ref> The video is split between these animated segments and segments of John Flansburgh and John Linnell performing the song in a dark room in front of a large <small>"ROCK MUSIC"</small> sign. The video is intentionally over-indulgent, but John and John were unhappy with the final result.<ref name="weiskopf" /><ref>'']'', 2003 DVD special features.</ref>


Joey Ahlbum's animated versions of John Linnell and John Flansburgh from the "(She Was A) Hotel Detective" music video were used in the first episode of the 1991 sitcom '']'' to show that Clarissa liked Linnell (referred to as "the John without the glasses"). The figures were also used by ] on promotional postcards. Joey Ahlbum's animated versions of John Linnell and John Flansburgh from the "(She Was A) Hotel Detective" music video were used in the first episode of the 1991 sitcom '']'' to show that Clarissa liked Linnell (referred to as "John, the one without glasses"). The figures were also used by ] on promotional postcards.


==Track listing== ==Track listing==
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| title5 = Mr. Klaw | title5 = Mr. Klaw
| length5 = 1:19 | length5 = 1:19
| title6 = | title6 =
| length6 = 2:33 | length6 = 2:33
| note6 = not listed
}} }}


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| note1 = single mix | note1 = single mix
| length1 = 2:20 | length1 = 2:20
| title2 = | title2 =
| length2 = 2:33 | length2 = 2:33
| note2 = not listed
}} }}
{{Tracklist {{Tracklist
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== Personnel == == Personnel ==
;They Might Be Giants ;They Might Be Giants
*]&nbsp;– vocals, guitar * ]&nbsp;– vocals, guitar
*]&nbsp;– vocals, bass saxophone, baritone saxophone, synthesizers * ]&nbsp;– vocals, bass saxophone, baritone saxophone, synthesizers, accordion


;Additional musicians ;Additional musicians
*Lt. Anne Moore&nbsp;– vocals * Lt. Anne Moore&nbsp;– vocals
*Peter Pearmain Thomson&nbsp;– backup vocals * Peter Pearmain Thomson&nbsp;– backup vocals


;Production ;Production
*Al Houghton&nbsp;– engineer * Al Houghton&nbsp;– engineer
*Bill Krauss&nbsp;– producer * Bill Krauss&nbsp;– producer
*Mark Marek&nbsp;– cover art * Mark Marek&nbsp;– cover art
*Rita Zaitschek&nbsp;– cover production * Rita Zaitschek&nbsp;– cover production


==References== ==References==
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==External links== ==External links==
*'']'' EP at This Might Be A Wiki * '']'' EP at This Might Be A Wiki
*"]" (song) at This Might Be A Wiki * "]" (song) at This Might Be A Wiki
* {{MetroLyrics song|they-might-be-giants|she-was-a-hotel-detective}}<!-- Licensed lyrics provider -->


{{tmbg}} {{tmbg}}

{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:She Was A Hotel Detective}} {{DEFAULTSORT:She Was A Hotel Detective}}
]
] ]
] ]

Latest revision as of 19:19, 12 January 2025

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1988 single by They Might Be Giants
"(She Was A) Hotel Detective"
Cover art designed by Mark Marek
Single by They Might Be Giants
from the album They Might Be Giants
ReleasedMay 5, 1988 (1988-05-05)
Recorded1988
StudioDubway Studio, New York City and Charles Eller Studio, Charlotte, VT
GenreAlternative rock
Length11:01
LabelBar/None, Restless (US)
Rough Trade (EU)
Songwriter(s)John Flansburgh, John Linnell
Producer(s)Bill Krauss
They Might Be Giants singles chronology
"Don't Let's Start"
(1987) 		"(She Was A) Hotel Detective"
(1988) 		"Ana Ng"
(1988)
Music video
(She Was A) Hotel Detective on YouTube
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic

"(She Was A) Hotel Detective" is a song and single by alternative rock band They Might Be Giants. It was released as a single on May 5, 1988, two years after the release of They Might Be Giants, the album on which it originally appeared. The "Hotel Detective" title has become a somewhat recurring theme for the band.

As in the single release of "Don't Let's Start", the version of the song on the "Hotel Detective" single is slightly different from the album version. In this case, a drum track fades in to open the song, and Linnell's saxophone is more prominent. Additionally, Peter Pearmain Thomson sings backing vocals, whereas on the album, the backing vocals are sung by John Flansburgh.

The entire contents of the EP also appear on the compilation album Miscellaneous T. The track "Kiss Me, Son of God" went on to be re-recorded and released on the band's 1988 album, Lincoln. Neither the CD release nor the 12" release of the EP list the untitled track in their respective track listings. The track consists of a conversation recorded on Dial-A-Song's answering machine between a listener known only as Gloria and an unknown male.

"Hotel Detective" series

The song "(She Was A) Hotel Detective", which was written by John Flansburgh, first appeared on They Might Be Giants, the band's debut album. It was later followed up by "She Was a Hotel Detective", which appeared on an EP, Back to Skull, released in 1994. The sequel was written by John Linnell, "in the tradition of 'Peggy Sue Got Married' and 'Let's Twist Again'". The lyrics to "She Was A Hotel Detective" (the sequel) include the phrase "motel directive", which is transcribed between the leadout grooves of the original Hotel Detective vinyl EP.

A second sequel, "(She Was A) Hotel Detective in the Future", was released on the band's podcast, and subsequently on a CD compilation of songs from the podcast, Cast Your Pod to the Wind. This final sequel was followed by a fake "commentary track" for the song, which was far longer than the song itself.

Music video

The music video for "(She Was A) Hotel Detective" was directed by Adam Bernstein. Some portions of the video show cartoons of the two Johns, animated by Joey Ahlbum. The video is split between these animated segments and segments of John Flansburgh and John Linnell performing the song in a dark room in front of a large "ROCK MUSIC" sign. The video is intentionally over-indulgent, but John and John were unhappy with the final result.

Joey Ahlbum's animated versions of John Linnell and John Flansburgh from the "(She Was A) Hotel Detective" music video were used in the first episode of the 1991 sitcom Clarissa Explains It All to show that Clarissa liked Linnell (referred to as "John, the one without glasses"). The figures were also used by Bar/None on promotional postcards.

Track listing

All tracks by They Might Be Giants.

CD track listing

No.TitleLength
1."(She Was A) Hotel Detective" (single mix)2:20
2."Kiss Me, Son of God"1:49
3."For Science"1:19
4."The Biggest One"1:22
5."Mr. Klaw"1:19
6.Untitled (not listed)2:33

12" track listing

Side A
No.TitleLength
1."(She Was A) Hotel Detective" (single mix)2:20
2.Untitled (not listed)2:33
Side B
No.TitleLength
1."For Science"1:19
2."Kiss Me, Son of God"1:49
3."The Biggest One"1:22
4."Mr. Klaw"1:19

Personnel

They Might Be Giants
Additional musicians
  • Lt. Anne Moore – vocals
  • Peter Pearmain Thomson – backup vocals
Production
  • Al Houghton – engineer
  • Bill Krauss – producer
  • Mark Marek – cover art
  • Rita Zaitschek – cover production

References

  1. (She Was A) Hotel Detective EP > Overview allmusic. Retrieved 2009-12-10.
  2. (She Was A) Hotel Detective EP liner notes, 1989.
  3. Who is speaking in the song with no name? tmbg.org. Retrieved 2009-12-10.
  4. Flansburgh, John and John Linnell. "First Album Q&A". TMBG.com. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  5. Flansburgh, John (13 March 2006). "Podcast 5A" (Podcast). They Might Be Giants. Archived from the original on 2015-06-10. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  6. Soundtrack of They Might Be Giants: (She Was A) Hotel Detective at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata
  7. ^ Myke Weiskopf interview with Adam Bernstein, 1995. Archived here. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  8. Gigantic (A Tale of Two Johns), 2003 DVD special features.

External links

They Might Be Giants
Studio albums
Rock albums
Children's albums
EPs
Singles
Other songs
Live albums
Compilations
Video releases
Related articles
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