I have a very interesting little story for all of you in regards to this song and it's meaning. About 15 years ago, I was taking an English class in University, and the and the professor of the class had an assignment for us. He handed out a sheet of paper face down to everyone. When we turned it over, we were told to write what we thought the song was about. He added, however, that the song was NOT about a cult so don't even write that. So, basically almost every member of the class then proceeded along the next route....the drugs/addiction metaphors. When we were done, he proceeded to tell us what the song, and the corresponding album were ACTUALLY about. It seems our prof had, at one time, lived in the California area and was very good friends with a certain drummer named Don Henley. Don explained the story behind the song to him, and said he was amused at the wide varieties of interpretations the song had developed over time. According to the source, The "Hotel California" is actually, L.A. itself. The song and album take you on a trip though the music industry in L.A. in the late sixties early seventies, when agents and studios controlled artists like puppets. Back in the late sixties, 1969 to be exact, there was a major onslaught of artists being signed left, right and center, and artisit at the time were often known to basically "sell their soul" to a record company executive in order to get a recording contract. Many times these artists were given little if anything for their music, and thus ended up basically a victom to their love of music. Just imagine the scene at the time, it's late 60's, you are on your way to L.A. to strike it big with dreams of glamour and fame...and you basically are prepared to sell your soul of you have to to attain it. I must admit, when I first heard this explaination, I was a little skeptical...but trust me....listen to the WHOLE album again, start to finish and keep this definition in mind when you do it. Every song ties together in one big story, finishing off with the Last Resort which gives you a clear summery of the whole album and idea. I don't deny that drugs and addiction have a lot to do with the lifestyle and results of the quest for fame. All I ask is to keep an open mind and think of "The Hotel California" as L.A., and you may be surprised.
I'm Impressed. Way to not follow the crowd and type out an obviously wrong retarded answer having to do with drugs, cults, or Satan worship. Good job daffyb keep it up.
I'm Impressed. Way to not follow the crowd and type out an obviously wrong retarded answer having to do with drugs, cults, or Satan worship. Good job daffyb keep it up.
daffyb, and who ever i seeing this comment, i can clearly see proof that this song is not about a cult or satanic worship. But can someone who says it about a cult or satanic worship please show me proof from this song. Cause i really want to know the truth behind this song. Thank you
daffyb, and who ever i seeing this comment, i can clearly see proof that this song is not about a cult or satanic worship. But can someone who says it about a cult or satanic worship please show me proof from this song. Cause i really want to know the truth behind this song. Thank you
Don Henley actually admitted publicly that he is a Satan worshipper.
Don Henley actually admitted publicly that he is a Satan worshipper.
The album's lyrics were designed to be vague to the outsiders. But it has a clear meaning only to the members of the cult. Perhaps, back then, they were not sure how public would react if they knew about the satanic church. But now, our world has become more liberal than ever, so they finally decided it is safe to reveal the truth.
The album's lyrics were designed to be vague to the outsiders. But it has a clear meaning only to the members of the cult. Perhaps, back then, they were not sure how public would react if they knew about the satanic church. But now, our world has become more liberal than ever, so they finally decided it is safe to reveal the truth.
@daffyb This is the ABSOLUTE BEST review I've ever read concerning this song. I've heard Don Henley give the EXACT explanation that you rendered above -- but for some strange reason, people still stick to their own interpretation(s) of this song. BRILLIANT review! BRILLIANT!
@daffyb This is the ABSOLUTE BEST review I've ever read concerning this song. I've heard Don Henley give the EXACT explanation that you rendered above -- but for some strange reason, people still stick to their own interpretation(s) of this song. BRILLIANT review! BRILLIANT!
@daffyb Fair enough. And you're probably right. None the less (and speaking from experience) this, to me, is about drug addiction. It just fits. But, to each his/her own.
@daffyb Fair enough. And you're probably right. None the less (and speaking from experience) this, to me, is about drug addiction. It just fits. But, to each his/her own.
@daffyb This is essentially what the mentor I had at work said when I lived in SoCal in the late 90's. The "check out anytime you like but you can never leave" line stems from the fact that it is difficult to get out of SoCal. I had difficulty myself doing so, and I wasn't even a dirt-poor musician.
@daffyb This is essentially what the mentor I had at work said when I lived in SoCal in the late 90's. The "check out anytime you like but you can never leave" line stems from the fact that it is difficult to get out of SoCal. I had difficulty myself doing so, and I wasn't even a dirt-poor musician.
@daffyb On the various interpretations, Henley said: "Some of the wilder interpretations of that song have been amazing. It was really about the excesses of American culture and certain girls we knew. But it was also about the uneasy balance between art and commerce."[49]
@daffyb On the various interpretations, Henley said: "Some of the wilder interpretations of that song have been amazing. It was really about the excesses of American culture and certain girls we knew. But it was also about the uneasy balance between art and commerce."[49]
How come nobody says anything about these "certain girls we knew". There are a lot of references to sex in the lyrics. Like there are somme really pretty girls that know a lot of guys and they call them their "friends". Gee, I wonder how these girls make their money. And what does "colitas" mean In Spanish...small tails or small tales.And also stab with their steely knives is that a reference the mail cucumber. And there are mirrors on the ceiling because there these certain hotels that have a bed and a mirror on the ceiling and the couples like to get on the bed and talk about record companies while they look at themselves in the mirror. sex sex sex.
I have a very interesting little story for all of you in regards to this song and it's meaning. About 15 years ago, I was taking an English class in University, and the and the professor of the class had an assignment for us. He handed out a sheet of paper face down to everyone. When we turned it over, we were told to write what we thought the song was about. He added, however, that the song was NOT about a cult so don't even write that. So, basically almost every member of the class then proceeded along the next route....the drugs/addiction metaphors. When we were done, he proceeded to tell us what the song, and the corresponding album were ACTUALLY about. It seems our prof had, at one time, lived in the California area and was very good friends with a certain drummer named Don Henley. Don explained the story behind the song to him, and said he was amused at the wide varieties of interpretations the song had developed over time. According to the source, The "Hotel California" is actually, L.A. itself. The song and album take you on a trip though the music industry in L.A. in the late sixties early seventies, when agents and studios controlled artists like puppets. Back in the late sixties, 1969 to be exact, there was a major onslaught of artists being signed left, right and center, and artisit at the time were often known to basically "sell their soul" to a record company executive in order to get a recording contract. Many times these artists were given little if anything for their music, and thus ended up basically a victom to their love of music. Just imagine the scene at the time, it's late 60's, you are on your way to L.A. to strike it big with dreams of glamour and fame...and you basically are prepared to sell your soul of you have to to attain it. I must admit, when I first heard this explaination, I was a little skeptical...but trust me....listen to the WHOLE album again, start to finish and keep this definition in mind when you do it. Every song ties together in one big story, finishing off with the Last Resort which gives you a clear summery of the whole album and idea. I don't deny that drugs and addiction have a lot to do with the lifestyle and results of the quest for fame. All I ask is to keep an open mind and think of "The Hotel California" as L.A., and you may be surprised.
I'm Impressed. Way to not follow the crowd and type out an obviously wrong retarded answer having to do with drugs, cults, or Satan worship. Good job daffyb keep it up.
I'm Impressed. Way to not follow the crowd and type out an obviously wrong retarded answer having to do with drugs, cults, or Satan worship. Good job daffyb keep it up.
I agree with daffyb. I can see where someone could compare this song to drug use and addiction but i think that his explanation is correct. Nice.
I agree with daffyb. I can see where someone could compare this song to drug use and addiction but i think that his explanation is correct. Nice.
Nice! I commend you for your post -daffyb- You are the correct one here!
Nice! I commend you for your post -daffyb- You are the correct one here!
daffyb, and who ever i seeing this comment, i can clearly see proof that this song is not about a cult or satanic worship. But can someone who says it about a cult or satanic worship please show me proof from this song. Cause i really want to know the truth behind this song. Thank you
daffyb, and who ever i seeing this comment, i can clearly see proof that this song is not about a cult or satanic worship. But can someone who says it about a cult or satanic worship please show me proof from this song. Cause i really want to know the truth behind this song. Thank you
Hi daffyb and everyone else, you guys might want to check out this website
Hi daffyb and everyone else, you guys might want to check out this website
all-lies.com/legends/media/music/hotelcalifornia.shtml
all-lies.com/legends/media/music/hotelcalifornia.shtml
Don Henley actually admitted publicly that he is a Satan worshipper.
Don Henley actually admitted publicly that he is a Satan worshipper.
The album's lyrics were designed to be vague to the outsiders. But it has a clear meaning only to the members of the cult. Perhaps, back then, they were not sure how public would react if they knew about the satanic church. But now, our world has become more liberal than ever, so they finally decided it is safe to reveal the truth.
The album's lyrics were designed to be vague to the outsiders. But it has a clear meaning only to the members of the cult. Perhaps, back then, they were not sure how public would react if they knew about the satanic church. But now, our world has become more liberal than ever, so they finally decided it is safe to reveal the truth.
damn now i wanna listen to this album all the way through
damn now i wanna listen to this album all the way through
@daffyb artists generally tell untruths about their art to keep it "mysterious"...
@daffyb artists generally tell untruths about their art to keep it "mysterious"...
@daffyb This is the ABSOLUTE BEST review I've ever read concerning this song. I've heard Don Henley give the EXACT explanation that you rendered above -- but for some strange reason, people still stick to their own interpretation(s) of this song. BRILLIANT review! BRILLIANT!
@daffyb This is the ABSOLUTE BEST review I've ever read concerning this song. I've heard Don Henley give the EXACT explanation that you rendered above -- but for some strange reason, people still stick to their own interpretation(s) of this song. BRILLIANT review! BRILLIANT!
@daffyb Fair enough. And you're probably right. None the less (and speaking from experience) this, to me, is about drug addiction. It just fits. But, to each his/her own.
@daffyb Fair enough. And you're probably right. None the less (and speaking from experience) this, to me, is about drug addiction. It just fits. But, to each his/her own.
@daffyb Hollywood mk ultra lifestyle, yup
@daffyb Hollywood mk ultra lifestyle, yup
@daffyb This is essentially what the mentor I had at work said when I lived in SoCal in the late 90's. The "check out anytime you like but you can never leave" line stems from the fact that it is difficult to get out of SoCal. I had difficulty myself doing so, and I wasn't even a dirt-poor musician.
@daffyb This is essentially what the mentor I had at work said when I lived in SoCal in the late 90's. The "check out anytime you like but you can never leave" line stems from the fact that it is difficult to get out of SoCal. I had difficulty myself doing so, and I wasn't even a dirt-poor musician.
@daffyb On the various interpretations, Henley said: "Some of the wilder interpretations of that song have been amazing. It was really about the excesses of American culture and certain girls we knew. But it was also about the uneasy balance between art and commerce."[49]
@daffyb On the various interpretations, Henley said: "Some of the wilder interpretations of that song have been amazing. It was really about the excesses of American culture and certain girls we knew. But it was also about the uneasy balance between art and commerce."[49]
How come nobody says anything about these "certain girls we knew". There are a lot of references to sex in the lyrics. Like there are somme really pretty girls that know a lot of guys and they call them their "friends". Gee, I wonder how these girls make their money. And what does "colitas" mean In Spanish...small tails or small tales.And also stab with their steely knives is that a reference the mail cucumber. And there are mirrors on the ceiling because there these certain hotels that have a bed and a mirror on the ceiling and the couples like to get on the bed and talk about record companies while they look at themselves in the mirror. sex sex sex.