Hotel Key Explained

Hotel Key
Cover:Hotel_Key_-_Old_Dominion.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Old Dominion
Album:Happy Endings
Genre:Country
Length:2:47
Label:RCA Nashville
Producer:Shane McAnally
Prev Title:Written in the Sand
Prev Year:2017
Next Title:Make It Sweet
Next Year:2018

"Hotel Key" is a song recorded by American country music group Old Dominion. It was released in April 2018 as the third single from their 2017 album Happy Endings.

Content

"Hotel Key" is about a couple who has a one-night stand at a hotel, but does not forget their encounter after it is over. In particular, the female half of the couple keeps the hotel key as a memento after the encounter is over.[1] Group members Matthew Ramsey and Trevor Rosen wrote the song with Josh Osborne.[2]

The radio version changes the verse where Ramsey sings "We were smoking a little, from a half an ounce," to "We were stuck in the middle, lovin’ every ounce."

Commercial performance

The song reached number one on the Country Airplay chart for charts dated September 29, 2018, becoming Old Dominion's fifth number one single, and the fourth consecutive number one, on that chart.[3] The song has sold 105,000 copies in the United States as of October 2018.[4]

Music video

The song's music video was directed by Jim Wright, and was filmed at the Safari Inn in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It portrays a couple's encounter at a hotel, with Ramsey portraying a desk clerk.[5]

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2018)Position
US Country Airplay (Billboard)[6] 4
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[7] 20
US Radio Songs (Billboard)[8] 59

Notes and References

  1. Web site: OLD DOMINION ANNOUNCES REMINISCENT NEW SINGLE "HOTEL KEY". Langler. Wes. March 27, 2018. Whiskey Riff. July 11, 2018.
  2. Web site: Hear New Singles From Old Dominion, The Wild Feathers and More Country Artists [Listen]]. Carr. Courtney. April 6, 2018. The Boot. July 11, 2018.
  3. Carrie Underwood Makes History With Seventh Consecutive No. 1 on Top Country Albums Chart. September 25, 2018 . Jim . Asker. Billboard .
  4. News: TOP 30 Digital Country Tracks Chart: October 31, 2018. RoughStock. Matt . Bjorke . October 31, 2018. November 9, 2018.
  5. See Old Dominion Rock a Parking Lot in 'Hotel Key' Video. Freeman. Jon. Rolling Stone. July 11, 2018.
  6. Country Airplay – Year-End 2018. Billboard. December 7, 2018.
  7. Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2018. Billboard. December 7, 2018.
  8. Radio Songs - Year-End. https://web.archive.org/web/20211010032501/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/radio-songs. October 10, 2021. 2018. Billboard. May 10, 2022.