About The Song
“Hotel California” is one of the most iconic songs by the American rock band Eagles. It was released in 1977 as the title track of their album “Hotel California.” The song was written by Don Felder, Don Henley, and Glenn Frey, who were members of the Eagles at the time.
There were many speculations about the true meaning of the song. But, indeed, it was considered and documented as the “House of Evil” or “Life In Vegas.” It is merely because the words and lyrics interpret deeds that are beyond society’s culture and beliefs.
Furthermore, Don Henley and Glenn Frey pooled resources for the words and lyrics of “Hotel California.” Meanwhile, Don Felder arranged the music and technicality of the song. The song became the most famous one of the band to record in the entire course of their career.
“Hotel California” won a Grammy as “Record of the Year” in 1978. Due to its strong lyrics, it has given many interpretations. The Eagles, themselves, describes the song as a high life in Los Angeles. Also, Henley, the writer, interpreted the lyrics as the journey of innocence to experience.
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Lyric
On a dark desert highway
Cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas
Rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance
I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the nightThere she stood in the doorway
I heard the mission bell
And I was thinking to myself
“This could be Heaven or this could be Hell”
Then she lit up a candle
And she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor
I thought I heard them sayWelcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of year (any time of year)
You can find it hereHer mind is Tiffany-twisted
She got the Mercedes Benz
She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys
That she calls friends
How they dance in the courtyard
Sweet summer sweat
Some dance to remember
Some dance to forgetSo I called up the Captain
“Please bring me my wine”
He said, ‘We haven’t had that spirit here
Since 1969″
And still those voices are calling from far away
Wake you up in the middle of the night
Just to hear them sayWelcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
They livin’ it up at the Hotel California
What a nice surprise (what a nice surprise)
Bring your alibisMirrors on the ceiling
The pink champagne on ice
And she said, ‘We are all just prisoners here
Of our own device”
And in the master’s chambers
They gathered for the feast
They stab it with their steely knives
But they just can’t kill the beastLast thing I remember, I was
Running for the door
I had to find the passage back
To the place I was before
“Relax, ” said the night man
“We are programmed to receive
You can check out any time you like
But you can never leave”