Joshua Bassett's 'Sad Songs In A Hotel Room': Lyric Breakdown

Joshua Bassett is back and so is sad boy season! The singer-songwriter released his 6-track EP Sad Songs In A Hotel Room on September 23, 2022, and we are *not* OK … and it looks like neither is Joshua. Keep reading to uncover the lyrics and meaning behind Joshua’s latest sad boy songs.

What Is Sad Songs In A Hotel Room About?

Throughout the EP, Joshua is expressing his regret and remorse over relationships that have ended. The first track, which is the title track of the EP, shares the perspective of Joshua playing his guitar in a hotel room, as he reminisces on the last time that he was at the same hotel, with a past lover.

“And I order room service for one / Champagne mini bar bottles are done,” he sings in the chorus. “I’ve got a balcony room with a view, velvet curtains are closed / I’m singin’ sad songs in a hotel room, where I once held you.”

“It’s really one of my favorite projects,” Joshua said of Sad Songs In A Hotel Room to Today on September 15. “Actually, it is my favorite project I’ve ever put out to date, and I stand behind every song. Each one means something completely different.”

The HSMTMTS actor did not explain the meaning or inspiration behind each track, but he did note that the songs are “authentic” and “honest” and something fans haven’t seen from him before. He also revealed that some songs were written as far back as two years ago, while others were composed just six months ago.

“Sad Songs In A Hotel Room comes from a transient period of my life, when I was constantly moving from hotel to Airbnb to a friend’s place, while also juggling some intense personal growth and change,” Joshua shared in a statement. “Each song on this EP tells a different part of the story from that time. In some ways, these songs feel like a bridge from one chapter of my life to the next, and I felt an urgency to put them out as I finish my debut album.”

Scroll through our gallery for a lyric breakdown on each track of Sad Songs In A Hotel Room.

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‘Sad Songs In A Hotel Room’

The title track of the EP shares the perspective of Joshua playing his guitar in a hotel room, as he reminisces on the last time that he was at the same hotel, with a past lover. He expresses regret over the relationship ending, stating that he misses them.

‘LA’

“LA” talks about Joshua wanting to leave the California city, describing it as a place of unhappiness and pain for him. “Lately everyone’s bringin’ me down, I’ve been makin’ a run for my life / I’m not sure if I’ll make it tonight,” he sings. “Guess I’ve run out of things I can say / I just gotta get, I just gotta get out of LA.”

“I wrote [this song] in a time when I needed to get out of LA, for more reasons than just the city,” he explained during A Night With Joshua Bassett. “The people and the place were just bringing me down. I think it’s important to set boundaries for people who are toxic in your life or maybe a negative energy at that time. Take your own space and take care of yourself, that’s key. So this song is kind of about that and taking those steps.”

Joshua also opens up about his traumatic childhood in this track, a topic he has discussed in the past. “When I was young my father told me not to cry in front of my mom / Said, ‘It’s time to grow up,'” Joshua croons. “And now that I’m older / I couldn’t tell you the last time I cried if I want / No time not to be on.”

‘Used To It’

Joshua speaks about a toxic past relationship in “Used To It.” The singer-songwriter describes his ex-partner as someone uncaring of him, saying that they didn’t care at all when he “almost died,” but that he’s “used to it.”

“And I guess I got used to it, you’d kiss me ’til I forget / You’re coverin’ up all your sins, I blame it on us bein’ kids. I guess you had me convinced / It’s my mind that’s playin’ tricks. After all that you did, I won’t admit it’s you I miss.”

‘Lifeline’

“Lifeline” is Joshua’s first song speaking about his January 2021 hospitalization due to heart failure and septic shock.

On January 14th, 2021, Joshua was hospitalized on the day of release for his lead single for his self-titled debut EP. Later that year, he revealed in an article with GQ the true gravity of the situation, stating that he was given a 30% chance of surviving the ordeal and told that if he hadn’t checked into the hospital within 12 hours he would’ve been found dead.

Joshua wrote this song as a thank you to his mother, who he explains got on a plane flight to Salt Lake City within an hour to be there for him while he was sick. He described his mother as his “rock” and lifeline.

Sad Boy HoursJoshua Bassett Just Released EP ‘Sad Songs In A Hotel Room’: Lyric Breakdown, Meaning

What Is Sad Songs In A Hotel Room About?

‘Sad Songs In A Hotel Room’

‘LA’

‘Used To It’

‘Smoke Slow’

‘Lifeline’

‘All In Due Time’