Talk:Hotel California (album)/Archive 1

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Archive 1

Jethro Tull Connection

Can anybody find a decent and reputable reference/interview citing how the Eagles "borrowed" the chord progression from an early Jethro Tull song when they were on tour together? I have seen Ian Anderson in interview jokingly state that he's still waiting for the royalty cheques to come in, but I'm looking for a copy of that in print. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 216.99.34.217 (talk) 15:45, 7 September 2008 (UTC)

I noticed this the very first time I heard "Hotel California". Anyway, the jethrotull.com website under "discography", under "Stand Up" has a sidebar that says "We Used to Know" was the "inspiration" for Henley's "Hotel California", at best a euphemistic way of putting it. Henley stole the chord progression, no question. TheScotch (talk) 11:26, 8 May 2011 (UTC)
I have researched the issue and included references both here and on the Stand Up page. The chord progression is not so unusual that it had to have been borrowed. The Eagles opened for Jethro Tull in 1971 or 1972. However, the chord progression and melody was composed entirely by Don Felder, who did not join the band until 1974. While it is possible that Felder was aware of the JT song and consciously or not used it in his composition, there is no connection as was alleged by Ian Anderson.Bob Caldwell CSL (talk) 18:41, 1 May 2015 (UTC)

Lead Vocals?

Who does the Lead vocals? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 83.84.138.101 (talk) 18:16, 4 May 2008 (UTC)

All of the members do except Don Felder (He only does backing vocals and lead vocals on "Visions" from "One Of These Nights")

Here goes

Hotel California-Don Henley

New Kid In Town-Glenn Frey

Life In The Fast Lane-Don Henley

Wasted Time-Don Henley

Wasted Time (Reprise)-N/A (Instrumental)

Victim Of Love-Don Henley

Pretty Maids All In A Row-Joe Walsh

Try And Love Again-Randy Meisner

The Last Resort-Don Henley —Preceding unsigned comment added by 59.154.2.61 (talk) 23:21, 27 March 2009 (UTC)


i've noticed before this post, Don Henley sings 5 songs on this record. Glenn, Randy, and Joe all only sing one. Felder was denied lead vocal on VOL. 5 songs is alot for one member to sing. Don Hnely is a great singer in my opnion, but everyone should be allowed to sing nearly equally

Best Pop Artist???

Does anyone know who awarded the "Best Pop Artist" award? DCEdwards1966 03:17, Oct 12, 2004 (UTC)

Interpretation of lyrics

I never read as much nonsense as when I read Wiki goings-on about music lyrics. Here's another good example. JD Souther had a friend who got roped in by the Children of God cult in California. There are lots of cults like this and it's exactly as it says in the lyrics: you can check in any time but you can never leave. I have seen places like this - they lock the gates and don't let anyone loose. Civil slavery. To put it mildly. Souther didn't write the lyrics to this one but Felder, Frey and Henley who did wrote it for what Souther told them - and one has to agree: it was a good reaction. Being a friend of a friend of Joe Walsh and hearing the story personally - and the lyrics are not that hard to understand - not unless you want to misunderstand them. And/or are 'American'. So enough of this nonsense. It's a good song against cults and parts of Americana and always has been and always will be. Blech.

I don't see how "New Kid in Town" is about innocence, or "Life in the Fast Lane" about temptations. If you see Hotel California as a metaphor for the US, then it's a quite critical album.


The "Hotel California" that could be Heaven or Hell, where it is one big party, everybody welcomes you, but you only call people friends. And if you want to get out, you can't.

The "New Kid in Town" that is very popular, "till somebody new comes along".

"Life in the Fast Lane" which is about a perfect couple just enjoying there success a bit too much, and going under.

And "The Last Resort", describing the American Dream: "They call it paradise, I don't know why". How the white man brings christianity: "They even brought a neon sign that said 'Jesus is coming'", prefers to forget what he did to the original inhabitants of the continent: "We satisfy our endless needs / And justify our bloody deeds / In the name of destiny / And the name of God".

This is probably not the only way to look at the album. But I don't think that "innocence" and "temptations" are the best fitting words to describe the songs.

Taka 21:30, 17 Mar 2005 (UTC)

Agreed. To me, the album itself is a critical commentary of the "American Dream", California, show business in general, shallow relationships, marriages destroyed by fame, etc. As soon as I have a little more time, I'll probably attempt an edit.

JubalHarshaw 18:53, 20 May 2005 (UTC)

"The most important obviously was the referral to Seward's Folly in the song Hotel California."

Maybe this is obvious to somebody, but it isn't to me, and a search didn't find anybody else drawing this parallel either. What referral? Taken out of the article until explanation given. Wasted Time R 19:49, 21 July 2005 (UTC)

Compare the 1969 Jethro Tull song "We used to know" to the 1976 Hotel California.

Almost identical chord progression, very similar metre, very similar melody.


My mom looked up the interpretation for this song once and it said that the song was talking about how people get stuck in the entertainment business, like with agents and stuff. Or something like that. Really, I think that everyone has a different interpretation. Just throwing that one out there! -Taliesin2 —Preceding unsigned comment added by Taliesin2 (talk • contribs) 01:56, 18 September 2007 (UTC)


To me it is clear that this song is about a rehab clinic. "And in the master's chambers they gather for the feast (group therapy session). They stab it with their steely knives ((blaming others for their addictions) but they just can't kill the beast (the beast which is their addiction persists)"

"I called to the porter, please bring me my wine. He said 'we haven't had that spirit here since 1969',". This is a reference to a person who was there in '69 I would guess.

"You can check out anytime you like but you can never leave" - you can leave the rehab centre but the addiction disease will never leave you.

The song 29 Palms by Robert Plant was a reference to this same rehab clinic where he met Alannah Myles of whom this song 29 Palms is about. So, Hotel California isn't about Satan, its about a guy going to rehab. The actual hotel may be Camarillo Psychiatric hospital in LA, where musicians spent time rehabbing and electroshocking. Chris66 9:31, 4 Aug 2006 — Preceding unsigned comment added by 206.192.35.125 (talk)

To me, the song sounds like a Satantic story of a Hotel run by employees who are possessed by evil spirits. Why does this interpretation get widespread denial? Mainstream audiences enjoy horror movies, and books with satantic themes. The 70s was the beginning of the popularity of Steven King's books. And yet, in a ridiculous contradiction, The Eagles bandmembers, and fans and music critics, deny that the song has any Satanic meaning. We dont have to sanitize the song to make the Evangelicals happy!! The Evangelicals dont have to listen to the song, if they dont like it. Satanic themes are a popular genre in literature, and in film. Why are we pandering to the Evangelicals with regard to this song? Marc Smilen, Dania Florida 206.192.35.125 (talk) 19:56, 29 July 2013 (UTC)

The inspirational hotel

[1] Is there any reference to any hotel claiming to be THE Hotel California of the song? (rather than the hotel in the picture, which is well known) SchmuckyTheCat 18:40, 22 December 2005 (UTC)

I've been to the one in Todo Santos ... It's about an hours drive north of Los Cabos. However it turns out its claim has been refuted. -- ProveIt (talk) 17:31, 10 February 2006 (UTC)

link added

I included a link that was indicated as being needed in the "Album Cover" section where the allegation of the song having satanic lyrics is located. If the link is an appropriate source, can someone with more knowledge than me about editing Wikipedia articles make it more presentable in the article? Thanks!Jlujan69 01:52, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

The research in the Snopes article doesn't really give much information on the album cover except to say that the person hired for the shoot was a woman, and even that isn't sourced. The quality of Snopes factfinding varies widely and doesn't always support their conclusions which are almost always dogmatic. It also has little to do with the actual controversy that occurred as the emails circulating around are over 20 years after the album was released and the original premise of the snopes article meandered into areas that had little to do with the album cover. 66.75.8.138 21:11, 22 December 2006 (UTC)

This is my interpretation of the lyrics:

On a dark desert highway, (Highway to Las Vegas)cool wind in my hair Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air (He is going there specifically to engage a prostitute, colitis referring to her genitalia). Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light (Vegas) My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim (Not tired, but the male response to sexual expectation) I had to stop for the night There she stood in the doorway (The prostitute) I heard the mission bell (His mission on this journey was to get sex) And I was thinking to myself, ’this could be heaven or this could be hell’ (He is conflicted in this “Mission”) Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way There were voices down the corridor, I thought I heard them say...

Welcome to the hotel California (A metaphor for Nevada Cathouses, because this is where Californians go for legal prostitution) Such a lovely place (Cathouse in Vegas Area) Such a lovely face (The prostitute) Plenty of room at the hotel California (Johns are not turned away) Any time of year, you can find it here (Find sex here anytime of year)

Her mind is tiffany-twisted, (She is focused more on the money, then on him. Tiffany meaning fine jewelry). She got the mercedes bends (A well paid prostitutes can buy a Mercedes Benz) She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys, that she calls friends (All of her Johns) How they dance (have sex) in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat. Some dance (have sex) to remember (To remember the good times of sexual encounters), some dance (have sex) to forget (To forget a poor marriage, or provincial life)

So I called up the captain, (The lead madam) ’please bring me my wine’ He said, ’we haven’t had that spirit here since nineteen sixty nine’ (The year a law was legislated to prevent the serving of alcohol at Nevada Cathouses). And still those voices are calling from far away, Wake you up in the middle of the night Just to hear them say...

Welcome to the hotel california Such a lovely place Such a lovely face They livin’ it up at the hotel california What a nice surprise, bring your alibis (Obviously for your wife back in California)

Mirrors on the ceiling, (Cathouse décor) The pink champagne on ice (Legendary favorite for prostitutes) And she said ’we are all just prisoners here, of our own device’ (They stay for the money, but not enjoyment.) And in the master’s chambers, They gathered for the feast (The feast is a metaphor for sex) The stab it with their steely knives, (Sexual Penetration) But they just can’t kill the beast (The beast is a metaphor for male passion, a beast that can truly never be killed)

Last thing I remember, I was Running for the door I had to find the passage back (This is not a passage back out of the cathouse, but a passage back to his own innocence…Remember, he is conflicted) To the place I was before (innocence, fidelity) ’relax,’ said the night man, We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave! (He will never overcome this act of infidelity, even when driving back to his home and life in California, a part of him, his innocence, will never leave that Cathouse).

Interpreted by Fred Young

Alternative Interpretations

Can someone back up the currently shown "Alternative Interpretation" on the album title song Hotel_California_(song) page which involves Alien Abduction??!? I've never heard this theory before, cannot find references, and seems to be just as valid as my "joke" theory that I came up with ten years ago (see Cecil Adams "Straight Dope" article) involving a fireworks factory blowing up! (and at least my joke theory has web references and is in print (Cecil Adams' "Triumph of the Straight Dope" ISBN 0-345-42008-X) Dzubint 15:47, 3 December 2006 (UTC)

See Talk:Hotel California (song) ... I took care of it. JubalHarshaw 00:37, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

Track Listing

Excuse me If I'm being stupid but shouldn't this article have a track listing?--158.143.151.123 19:26, 22 June 2007 (UTC)

Restored[2] / edgarde 20:30, 22 June 2007 (UTC)

mystery figure

Does anyone know any truth to the rumor of there being a figure of someone on the cover that the photographer says wasn't there when he took the photo?----69.229.5.163 (talk) 09:08, 31 March 2008 (UTC)

Search for "Hotel California" at Snopes.com . - Jgm (talk) 12:37, 31 March 2008 (UTC)
Whether or not the claim about a mystery figure in the photo is true, I think enough people have heard and spread the rumor to warrant a mention in the article itself, if only to debunk the story (if it indeed is untrue). Furthermore, I have heard a rumor that the mystery figure and the album in general is linked to the band's interest in Satanism, which, if this is a common rumor, should be mentioned in the article proper, if only to debunk it. --70.154.152.141 (talk) 20:25, 26 February 2010 (UTC)

Saxophone??

In the track listing on this page it says for the song "Life In The Fast Lane", that Joe Walsh played a saxophone on the track. I've listened to this song over and onver again, and I cant find anything that sounds like a sax. And i've never seen it credited anywhere. Can someone verify this?? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 59.154.2.61 (talk) 08:19, 11 March 2009 (UTC)

How long was this song written?

How long was the song "hotel california" written? If anyone knows the answer please do edit this part of the page. Thanks.

"Members of Eagles"

Look, I'm aware that the band is officially called "Eagles" and not "the Eagles". But I am incredibly dubious that reliable sources would say "Members of Eagles" rather than "members of the Eagles." Some bands that don't officially have "the" in their band name are still referred to with "the" in running text and conversation. The Eagles are one such band. It is not incorrect to do so, and it is pedantic and obtrusive to reflexively insist on not using "the" when it is actually used. john k (talk) 22:19, 16 December 2010 (UTC)

Bronx? THE Bronx??? Vietnam? The Nam? Marc S. Dania Fl 206.192.35.125 (talk) 20:17, 29 July 2013 (UTC)

The album was ranked #3 on Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Albums Of All Time"

"The album was ranked #3 on Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Albums Of All Time"" Ehm, no, it wasn't! That rank goes to the album "Revolver" by the Beatles...removing it now... Sources: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/revolver-the-beatles-19691231 — Preceding unsigned comment added by 84.159.47.124 (talk) 00:05, 3 July 2011 (UTC)


Country Rock?

I don't really think any of the songs on this album are country songs. "In my opinion" the eagles were only a country band for the first 3 records (Eagles, Desperado, On the Border). I don't really see alot of country influence in One of these Nights — Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.80.24.90 (talk) 14:10, 7 April 2013 (UTC)

Correct. They were not a country Rock group. In 2013, there is a documentary airing on Cable TV: "The History of the Eagles." In the documentary, its stated that Bernie Leadon wasnt happy with the musical direction of the band. The music became more Rock oriented; Bernie wanted to go more country-music. Marc S., Dania Fl 206.192.35.125 (talk) 20:20, 29 July 2013 (UTC)


Hotel California or Hotel California (album)

I'm just wondering, should the title be called "Hotel California (Eagles album)," to distinguish it from the song, the Tyga album, and the films? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.54.187.27 (talk) 12:35, 3 August 2013 (UTC)

In effect, you are also suggesting we redirect Hotel California to Hotel California (disambiguation) and thus have all uses disambiguated. We could possibly do that but please read Wikipedia:Disambiguation if you haven't already. --RacerX11 Talk to meStalk me 02:59, 5 August 2013 (UTC)

Requested move

The following discussion is an archived discussion of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on the talk page. Editors desiring to contest the closing decision should consider a move review. No further edits should be made to this section.

The result of the move request was: move Hotel California to Hotel California (Eagles album), Hotel California (song) to Hotel California. -- tariqabjotu 05:06, 18 August 2013 (UTC)

– Both album and song by Eagles are equally significant in terms of history and impact. The album is less viewed than the song. There is another album of similar name by different artist. George Ho (talk) 02:26, 10 August 2013 (UTC)

  • Support or move the song to the prime location. Disambiguation is also good -- 76.65.128.222 (talk) 05:26, 10 August 2013 (UTC)
The above discussion is preserved as an archive of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on this talk page or in a move review. No further edits should be made to this section.
  • Note - We might want to think about standardizing this sort of thing, at least for this group. Please see [3] and weigh in. Thanks! Doc talk 04:14, 23 August 2013 (UTC)

Assessment comment

The comment(s) below were originally left at Talk:Hotel California (album)/Comments, and are posted here for posterity. Following several discussions in past years, these subpages are now deprecated. The comments may be irrelevant or outdated; if so, please feel free to remove this section.

Comment(s)Press [show] to view →
Article requirements:

Green tickY All the start class criteria
Green tickY A completed infobox, including cover art and most technical details
Green tickY At least one section of prose (excluding the lead section)
Green tickY A track listing containing track lengths and authors for all songs
Green tickY A full list of personnel, including technical personnel and guest musicians
Green tickY Categorisation at least by artist and year
Green tickY A casual reader should learn something about the album. Andrzejbanas (talk) 05:03, 11 May 2008 (UTC)

To meet the more rigorous criteria of the revised B class, this article needs improved sourcing to help readers verify the accuracy of information. Additional improvements may also be necessary. Please see Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums/Assessment for additional information on B class in album articles. --Moonriddengirl (talk) 23:34, 27 July 2008 (UTC)

Last edited at 05:07, 18 August 2013 (UTC). Substituted at 14:59, 1 May 2016 (UTC)

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