THE MEANING behind HOTEL CALIFORNIA

[justinhunt]

Poetry isnt one of my strengths.... what is the meaning behind Hotel California?

[Raskolnikov]

The song is talking about the drug culture in California back in the 70's.

[Jolly McJollyson]

drugs. 10 letters...

[Axl_Rose]

"You can check in here any time you like, but you can never leave",

Yup its about drugs. Or... they wrote it then discovered it was a metaphor for drinking and drugging.

[alucard0941]

drugs. 10 letters...
i hate the 10 letter rule aswell

[mattoakes]

what is the 10 letter rule?

[Axl_Rose]

Posts must contain more than 10 characters

[chucklivesoninmyheart]

But why california?Is there something about california thats more drug related then other parts of the world?Mabey they just had their experiences there...

[Raskolnikov]

But why california?Is there something about california thats more drug related then other parts of the world?Mabey they just had their experiences there...
Because the song is specifically talking about what was happening in that scene in California at the time.

[chucklivesoninmyheart]

Because the song is specifically talking about what was happening in that scene in California at the time.

lol,I don't even think ive ever heard the song anyway...I know its an eagles tune and ive heard the main 'catch' on all those "best of the 70's" CD collection commercials...

[benk1277]

I've heard it is about devil worship. I don't know why someone got that idea. Come to think of it, I've never listened to it with that in mind. That may not make any sense at all.

[Leedogg]

I always thought it was about the trappings of fame, and how you lose yourself. That was just my take on it, actually I don't think I've listened to the words since I was like 12. Since then I only perk up for the wicked solo at the end. Joe Walsh sure can play.

[BlindFire]

hmmm


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 night
There 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 say

You know i was hearing an interview, and this begining represents California as an analogie and that it sucks your right in, like for instance L.A and Anehiem, Hollywood and other places, the woman could represent these places and so forth.

Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place
Such a lovely place (background)
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of year
Any time of year (background)
You can find it here
You can find it here

This represents That California is an awsome place, and yeah california is a great place to be anytime of year, neccesarly i don't know if this is a drug reference.




Mirrors on the ceiling
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 beast
Last 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 nightman
We are programed to recieve
You can check out any time you like
But you can never leave

This i don't think represents crack and alocohal or any thing else. Like you get so indulged it to this place that you can't let it go like a drug Its an awsoem place to be.


This whole explanition may sound crazy.


The critics hated the eagles new album One of these nights, because they claim it had sort of a devilish atmosphere. The eagles released it because, fans were complaining they were to country, so the eagles brought in classic rock.

by the way just saw a concert by them and it was the amazing :p

[ScottMoney]

To you Chuck, how could you have never heard Hotel California, the best song ever haha!!

Benk, There’s supposedly a satanic priest on the balcony of the cover of the Hotel California Album

Leedog, How dare you leave Don Felder out of the mix, one of the most underrated guitarists of all time!

Can you guys tell I like the song? :p

[Lordathestrings]

... Leedog, How dare you leave Don Felder out of the mix, one of the most underrated guitarists of all time!..Yeah, I really enjoy the way the guitar parts interplay. There's a kind of synergy that you just don't get from one player multitracking.

[ScottMoney]

yea, they compliment each other well...

have you guys seen the accoustic version, felder goin fingerstyle on the classical. I think that's the best example of a song played on electric and accoustic with totally different parts and solos for each that sound equally awesome

[ranma187]

Here's my take on a lyric "they stab it with thier steely knives, but they just can't kill the beast."

either they take drugs like it will solve everything but they just can't kill the beast, or the drugs are the beast no matter how hard they try not to become addicts that is where they inevitably wind up.

:D :D :D

[moody_fa_loonie]

"they stab it with thier steely knives, but they just can't kill the beast.":D :D :D

maybe its talkin bout needles.....? those kinda drugs lol....they cant kill the addiction.

[Jolly McJollyson]

Here's my take on a lyric "they stab it with thier steely knives, but they just can't kill the beast."
That's my favorite line. Whenever it comes on I always scream that one. I did that song at my old highschool once, and that line I just yelled atthe top of my lungs. Why, you ask? Sheer badassery.

[ranma187]

Why, you ask? Sheer badassery.
hmm i'm adding that phrase to my list of cool phrases. :cool:

[kingdavid]

Yeah, I really enjoy the way the guitar parts interplay. There's a kind of synergy that you just don't get from one player multitracking.
That's why I keep saying it's should be a bit of an oxymoron to designate so and so as the "lead guitarist", and so and so as the "rhythm guitarist" (goddamit, why do I have to struggle so much with the spelling of RYTHYM?!? :mad: I first learnt the word when I was 9 and still!!!) in a band. The guy playing the electric could be the one playing the "that word" section while the acoustic guy plays the "lead". And back and forth. It shouldn't be set in stone.

[R. Shackleferd]

Talking about the lead at the end, it is in my opinion one of the greatest. For example, non-players (and players alike) can whistle the melody of the lead, and it can get stuck in yer head. It's not just a filler to change pace or show off chops.