In a hot desert alley, cool wind in my hair
Fresh smell of hashish smoke, rising up through the air
Up ahead past the camels, unmistakable signs
My head grew heavy and my face turned grim
I booked 4 days, 3 nights

The keeper stood in the doorway;
And as far I could tell
With his good looks and his cunning
"This could be heaven or this could be hell'
Then he took up my burden, and he showed me the way
Travelers' voices through the flight of stairs
I thought I heard them say

Welcome to Hotel Cairo, Egypt
Such a lovely place
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at Hotel Cairo, Egypt
Any time of year you can find it here

His name's widely reputed; he's got dollars to spend
He's got a lot of pretty, pretty girls as Facebook friends
Yet how we teased on the rooftop, my touch on his chest
A joy to remember; a curse to forget

I bait to the keeper,
"I'm drunk from your wine,"
He taunts, "Shall I just take you now? It's after
midnight."
And still girls' voices are calling from far away,
I tune them out as I lose myself
And finally get my way

Welcome to Hotel Cairo, Egypt
Such a lovely place
Such a lovely face
They're livin' it up at Hotel Cairo, Egypt
What a nice surprise, bring your alibis

Moonlight from the heavens,
His look on my mind
I see now, 'We're all just prisoners here, of our own device'
And in the master's chambers,
They undress for the feast
He stabs them with a skillful knife,
But he just can't fill the beast

Last thing I remember, I was
Running for the door
I had to take a taxi back for the place I was before
"Til then," said the keeper,
In your thoughts I will creep
See, you can check out any time you like,
But you can never leave!"