Read the lyrics Hotel California-Don Felder. Is Its Classy Lyrics Are Written By Don Henley, Don Felder & Glenn Frey. Is Its Official Music Video Has been Released December 8, 1976. And Present On The YouTube Channel. And lyrics can be seen above here.
Hotel California is a classic gemstone song written by Don Felder, Glenn Frey, and Don Henley of the Eagles. It was released as a single in 1977 and came one of the band’s most iconic and enduring songs. The lyrics tell a mysterious and allegorical tale about a rubberneck who checks into a luxurious hostel, only to discover that leaving isn’t as easy as it seems.
Hotel California-Don Felder
[Verse 1]
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
Explanation of Verse 1:
The song begins with the narrator driving on a dark desert trace. The setting is described with a cool wind, the scent of colitis (a type of desert factory), and a shimmering light in the distance. Feeling tired, the narrator decides to stop for the night.
[Verse 2]
There she stood in the doorway
I heard the mission bell
And I was thinkin’ 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
Explanation of Verse 2:
Upon entering the hostel, the narrator encounters a woman in the doorway and hears a charge bell. The nebulosity of whether the place is heaven or hell adds to the mysterious atmosphere. The woman guides the narrator with a candle, and as they progress, voices in the corridor hint at an enigmatic situation.
[Chorus]
“Welcome 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 here”
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Explanation of Chorus:
The notorious chorus introduces the Hotel California as a” lovely place” with plenitude of room, available any time of the time. This sets the tone for the attractive appeal of the hostel. The reiteration of” You can check out any time you like, but you can no way leave” suggests a sense of ruse.
[Verse 3]
Her mind is Tiffany-twisted
She got the Mercedes Benz, uh
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 forget
Explanation of Verse 3:
The woman in the hostel is described as having a luxurious life with a Tiffany- twisted mind and a Mercedes Benz. She surrounds herself with seductive musketeers. The reference to dancing in the yard adds to the sense of degeneration, with some dancing to flash back and others to forget.
[Verse 4]
So 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 callin’
From far away
Wake you up in the middle of the night
Just to hear them say
Explanation of Verse 4:
The narrator calls the captain for wine, but it’s revealed that the spirit hasn’t been available since 1969. The distant voices continue to call, dismembering the narrator’s peace. The lyrics produce an creepy atmosphere, suggesting a sense of haunting or undetermined issues.
[Chorus]
“Welcome 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 alibis”
Explanation of Chorus:
The chorus reprises, emphasizing the Hotel California as a putatively idyllic place with a nice surprise but also intimating at the need for defenses, suggesting that all may not be as it appears.
[Verse 5]
Mirrors 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 beast
Explanation of Verse 5:
The narrator describes the opulent features of the hostel, similar as glasses on the ceiling and pink champagne on ice. The woman characterizes the occupants as captures of their own device, intimating at the consequences of their choices.
[Verse 6]
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 night man
“We are programmed to receive
You can check out any time you like
But you can never leave”
Explanation of Verse 6:
The song’s climax describes the narrator’s attempt to escape, running for the door. The night man reassures that one can check out anytime, but the beginning communication is that departure is illusory, buttressing the theme of ruse.
[Guitar Solo]
Explanation of Guitar solo:
The necessary guitar solo, played by Joe Walsh, adds a haunting and emotive element to the song, contributing to its overall iconic sound.
Overall:
Hotel California” is a plushily concentrated song with cryptic and tropical lyrics. Its appeal lies in the mix of a witching narrative, intricate guitar work, and a haunting air. The theme of the hostel as a conceit for redundant, sybarites, and the difficulties of escape has made it a dateless and study- provoking piece in the gemstone music canon.