12 facts about this song
Song Origin
"Hotel California" is a song by American rock band Eagles. It was released in February 1977 as the title track from their album "Hotel California". The song is known for its lengthy composition, lasting six and a half minutes, consisting of several individual pieces including a melodic introduction, verses, choruses, and an iconic guitar solo. The lyrics of "Hotel California" have been interpreted in various ways over the years. Some believe it is about materialism and excess, others see it as a commentary on the self-destructive nature of the American dream. "Hotel California" won the 1977 Grammy Award for Record of the Year and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2003. Since its release, the song has peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and has since become one of the Eagles' signature songs. The song's closing guitar solo is often considered one of the greatest guitar solos of all time. It was a duet performed by Eagles' members Don Felder and Joe Walsh. Some conspiracy theories have arisen over time about the song, with suggestions that it contains satanic messages when played backwards. However, the band has consistently denied this. "Hotel California" was written by Don Felder, Don Henley, and Glenn Frey. Felder composed the music while Henley and Frey wrote most of the lyrics. The song has been covered by many artists throughout the years in various genres, demonstrating its enduring popularity and cultural impact. The inspiration for "Hotel California" was a drive Don Felder took in the Mojave Desert, which reminded him of a picture postcard. "Hotel California" became one of the best-selling singles of the Eagles, and it has sold over 16 million copies worldwide to date. The original studio version of the song runs for 6 minutes and 30 seconds, making it one of the longer radio hits in history. |