On the surface, you couldnt get two records more diametrically opposed or could you? The line, cool wind in my hair, refers to the (Horse With No Name) a song I wrote in 1967. Walsh’s only songwriting and lead vocal effort is “Pretty Maids All In a Row”, which is not a very strong representation of his talents. The title for "Life in the Fast Lane" was inspired b… Don Henley who was the lyricist of this album added that it was essentially about the dark side of America and also about the surplus of luxuries in the area. The song has alsp been described as being "all about American decadence and burnout, too much money, corruption, drugs and arrogance; too little humility and heart.". ", Speaking to Cameron Crowe, Frey said he and Henley wanted the song "to open like an episode of the Twilight Zone", saying: "We take this guy and make him like a character in The Magus, where every time he walks through a door there’s a new version of reality. The band went on to record one more studio album, The Long Run, which took even longer to create. On a dark desert highwayCool wind in my hairWarm smell of colitasRising up through the airUp ahead in the distanceI saw a shimmering lightMy head grew heavy and my sight grew dimI had to stop for the nightThere she stood in the doorwayI heard the mission bellAnd I was thinkin' to myself'This could be heaven or this could be hellThen she lit up a candleAnd she showed me the wayThere were voices down the corridorI thought I heard them sayWelcome to the Hotel CaliforniaSuch a lovely place (such a lovely place)Such a lovely facePlenty of room at the Hotel CaliforniaAny time of year (any time of year)You can find it here, Her mind is Tiffany-twistedShe got the Mercedes Benz, uhShe got a lot of pretty, pretty boysThat she calls friendsHow they dance in the courtyardSweet summer sweatSome dance to rememberSome dance to forgetSo 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 calling from far awayWake you up in the middle of the nightJust to hear them sayWelcome to the Hotel CaliforniaSuch a lovely place (such a lovely place)Such a lovely faceThey livin' it up at the Hotel CaliforniaWhat a nice surprise (what a nice surprise)Bring your alibisMirrors on the ceilingThe pink champagne on iceAnd she said, "We are all just prisoners here of our own device"And in the master's chambersThey gathered for the feastThey stab it with their steely knivesBut they just can't kill the beastLast thing I rememberI was running for the doorI had to find the passage backTo the place I was before"Relax", said the night man"We are programmed to receiveYou can check out any time you likeBut you can never leave", Promoted by The review of The Last Resort is that it is “bigoted, racist, elitist” is one of the most ignorant things I have ever heard. However, the orchestral reprise of the song which opens up the second side of the album is, in fact, “wasted time” as it adds absolutely nothing to the album. It too was plagiarized along with 40 plus other songs I wrote. MusicRadar sat down with Felder recently to discuss his new disc, a conversation which we will present shortly, but during our discussion we talked at length about the Eagles' classic Hotel California, a song which Felder wrote the music to. You call something paradise, kiss it goodbye…”. Guitarist Bernie Leadon, a strong influence on the band’s country sound of the early years was replaced by funk-rock guitarist Joe Walsh, who had previously fronted the groups James Gang and Barnstorm. It was really about the excesses of American culture and certain girls we knew. As a result, the band’s sound got a bit heavier while never abandoning its mainstream pop sensibilities. The song is very slow and measured, with great vocals by Henley. And I don’t believe that The Last Resort is a kind of “happy ending” to the entire album. The band issued the song on their Hotel California album in 1976. In a sentence, I'd sum it up as the end of the innocence, round one. Bernie Leadon, who was the principal country influence in the band, left the band after the release of the previous album One of These Nights. 1. The second recording was too fast, and so in Miami, the band fine-tuned the instrumentats and lyrics, and recorded several takes. This short foray is mercifully disrupted by the hard rocker “Victim of Love”, a song which proves that the Eagles can do more with two chords than any other band ever. For more about Gibson's Don Felder "Hotel California" EDS-1275 and Don Felder "Hotel California" 1959 Les Paul, visit the following links: • Don Felder "Hotel California" EDS-1275 • Don Felder "Hotel California" 1959 Les Paul. A demo of the instrumental was developed by Don Felder in a rented house on Malibu Beach. Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull believed “Hotel California” sounded suspiciously like one of his songs. Whether it was done intentionally or not, Hotel California came pretty close to being a true concept album by The Eagles. Wasted Time Reprise is a beautiful arrangement…it opens the second side while bringing closure to the first. Henley once said: "Some of the wilder interpretations of that song have been amazing. This acts as a dramatic overture before the song kicks in with a quasi-Caribbean rhythm and beat with the first verse and the cryptic, yet intriguing, storytelling lyrics. Your email address will not be published. Adam - Dewsbury, England. After this unique artistic masterpiece, the band serves up a couple of songs which both went on to be big hits, one in the country-rock style of the past, and one in the heavier rock style of the future. It's a song about the dark underbelly of the American Dream, and about excess in America which was something we knew about. Other claims suggested that the Hotel California was the Camarillo State Mental Hospital. Top 9 Best Sounding Albums of the 1970s | River of Rock. Felder, who met the Eagles through his high school bandmate Bernie Leadon, said that Leadon advised him to make tapes of songs he wrote for the band so that other band members like Hen… A bit of irony. Eagles released Hotel California on December 8, 1976, two weeks after the Sex Pistols Anarchy In The UK. Felder, who met the Eagles via his high school bandmate Bernie Leadon, said that Leadon advised him to make tapes of songs he wrote for the band so that other band members like Henley might work with him on finishing the songs they liked. Warm smell of colitas. It’s about the jaded and hedonistic lifestyle that characterizes southern California. The word 'colitas' in the song has been interpreted as sexual slang or a nod to marijuana. But closer inspection of their fifth studio album the eras leading blockbuster MOR behemoth, along with Fleetwood Macs Rumours revealed a band disillusioned by political and social developments, mov… Rolling Stone reported that the band was not upset at the film being scrapped, as they were not particularly in love with the idea of a movie version. California is used as the setting, but it … • To read about how Felder wrote the music for "Hotel California" and came up with the guitar parts, head here. The summery classic rock track from 1976 still sounds fresh over 40 years later, but what is it all actually about and is it based on a real hotel? The chord progressions are nearly identical, and the bands toured together before the Eagles recorded "Hotel California." The first side ends with “Wasted Time”, a song that may be the perfect barroom ballad speaking of broken relationships. A big AMEN to that opinion, Brother! “Life In the Fast Lane” features a heavy guitar riff and lead by Joe Walsh, with lyrics that are a bit edgy. In the 1980s, the Reverand Paul Risley of Cornerstone Church in Wisconsin claimed that 'Hotel California' referred to a San Francisco hotel bought by Anton LaVey and converted into his Church of Satan. The song was plagiarized by the Eagles. The band’s lead singer, songwriter, and drummer Don Henley said that because it was the bicentennial year and the “Eagle” is the symbol of our country, they felt obliged to make some kind of artistic statement. … Who Wrote Hotel California? Writing credits for the song are shared by Don Felder (music), Don Henley, and Glenn Frey (lyrics). Felder's demo for 'Hotel California' had influences from Latin and reggae music, and it intrigued Henley, who said he liked the song that "sounds like a Mexican reggae or Bolero", giving its first working title, 'Mexican Reggae'. Don Henley said “It’s a song about a journey from innocence to experience.” When The Eagles were interviewed they said “it is about the jaded, blasé, hedonistic lifestyle that characterizes California” And indeed when you listen to the song there are lyrics that sounds like the epitome of that type of lifestyle (mirrors on the ceiling, pink champagne on ice, Mercedes-benz). Who wrote 'Hotel California'? However, the rush-hour traffic at the time made the experience rather difficult! I had trouble with the copywrite office and the musicians were not honest. The music may have been inspired by the 1969 Jethro Tull song "We Used to Know," from their album Stand up. Don Felder, who wrote the guitar riff, was a Florida native.) However, he entered "a weird world peopled by freaky characters", and became "quickly spooked by the claustrophobic feeling of being caught in a disturbing web from which he may never escape. Hotel California was writen in 1968 by me, Michael Holland Shepard. I think Henley is giving the middle finger to America and their bullshit and stop acting like we’re all God and better than all others. Rising up through the air. In the Encyclopedia of Great Popular Song Recordings, Volume 1, Steve Sullivan theorized that the "spirit" that the Hotel California hasn't had since 1969, refers to the spirit of social activism of the 1960s. However, the real treat that makes this song a bonafide classic are the dual electric guitars by Walsh and Felder, which float above the lyric stinging electric melodies throughout the verse and chorus, and take center stage with the long, dual guitar lead to close the song. It has been interpreted as a metaphor for hedonism, self-destruction, and greed in the music industry in the late 1970s. Created by John Furia, Barry Oringer. Hotel California would be the absolute pinnacle of the The Eagles’ career, selling more than any other of their multiple successes and being considered high up on several “all time” lists. A demo of the song's instrumental was created by Don Felder in a rented house on Malibu Beach. The Eagles' 1976 song "Hotel California" makes just about every list of top guitar solos, including ours. “Try and Love Again” was written and sung by bassist Randy Meisner, who has that strange kind of voice which gives songs a cool edge, such on his “Take It To the Limit” on the previous album. He explained how they used California as a microcosm of the whole United States, with comments on the nature of success and the attraction of excess, and an extremely pessimistic history of America. All the songs I wrote were plagiarized. He said of their personal and professional experience in LA: "We were getting an extensive education, in life, in love, in business. So the beginning of the first verse speaks tothe literal experience of seeing the big cities of California(Hollywood and Los Angeles) as you approach them from the nearbydeserts. He gave Don Henley and Glenn Frey each a copy of the recording. Your email address will not be published. The album was produced by Bill Szymczyk, who had produced the Eagles previous two albums as well as several albums by Joe Walsh and the James Gang. Beverly Hills was still a mythical place to us. In the video below, former Eagle Don Felder explains the inspiration behind the song, which he co-wrote with Don Henley and Glenn Frey, who died Monday at age 67. Some of the songs I wrote are Like A Rolling Stone, Knock Knock Knocking on Heaven’s Door, Solitary Man, Money For Nothing, Billie Jean, Me And Bobbie McGee, Yesterday, Puff The Magic Dragon, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Hotel California would be Meisner’s last album with the band, as he decided to return to his native Nebraska in order to be with his family. Don Felder: How the Eagles Wrote 'Hotel California' - YouTube. Glenn Frey, who co-founded the Eagles and with Don Henley became one of history's most successful songwriting teams with such hits as 'Hotel California' and 'Life in the Fast Lane', died yesterday. There are a multitude of theories surrounding the subject matter of “Hotel California,” only one of which has been confirmed by the band as true. Meanwhile, some of the lyrics, such as 'Her mind is Tiffany-twisted, she got the Mercedes-Benz / She got a lot of pretty pretty boys she calls friends', were based on Henley's break-up with girlfriend Loree Rodkin. 'Hotel California' topped the US charts for a week in May 1977, their fourth song to achieve the feat. The band took 18 months between releases of their previous album One of These Night and Hotel California, with eight of those months in the studio recording. He recorded the basic tracks with a Rhythm Ace drum machine and then added a 12 string guitar on a four-track recording deck in his spare bedroom, then mixed in a bassline. Watch later. For Hotel California, the band made a conscious decision to move away from country rock, and wrote some songs that are more rock & roll, such as "Victim of Love" and "Life in the Fast Lane". Eagles decided to make this song a single though its length and format were completely unlike the radio-friendly singles those days: the song is more than six minutes long, it's hard to dance to it, it has a long introduction and a long guitar solo. Here are five facts that you might not know about The Eagles' "Hotel California." No it isn’t. In 2007, Don Henley said: "I know, it's so boring. The Hotel California seemed to be a metaphor for the world encountered by the bandmembers, who had come from other places. Despite the Eagles sounding like a California band, only Bernie Leadon was originally from The Golden State. No, it originally belongs to the Eagles from 1977. The final version had a guitar battle between Joe Walsh and Felder. In that sense it became something of a symbol, and the 'Hotel' the locus of all that LA had come to mean for us. But it was also about the uneasy balance between art and commerce.". At the time, punk seemed designed to blow the likes of Eagles and their mellow country-rock vibes clean out the water. I, Michael Holland Shepard wrote Hotel California in 1968. Many cover versions of "Hotel California" have been released: Gipsy Kings: A flamenco version, released in 1988 and later featured in the film The Big Lebowski. Five or six best ones were selected, and the best parts were mixed together. Then the proof comes when the last line is misquoted. Cool wind in my hair. The opening theme song starts with long acoustic/electric intro, which was originally introduced to the band by lead guitarist Don Felder as an instrumental piece. Glenn Frey has said that the album was the very top of the peak for the Eagles but also marked the beginning of the band’s end. You call something paradise should be you call SOME PLACE paradise. California is used as the song's setting, but it could relate to anywhere in America and beyond. In the UK, it reached a peak of number eight. In general, the song is about materialism and excess. The Mexican Hotel California, sued by the Eagles for violation of trademark. Some other songs I wrote are Puff The Magic Dragon, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Bye Bye Miss American Pie and about 35 plus more songs all plagiarized. The album was written by and shares the perspective of California ‘outsiders’. (Henley was from Texas and co-author Glenn Frey from Michigan. Hotel California has inspired endless debates on what the lyrics re… In her book You'll Never Eat Lunch in This Town Again, she said that the band members were difficult to deal with and arrogant. [Verse 1: Don Henley] On a dark desert highway. The songwriters (for the single Hotel California) were Don Felder from Florida, Glenn Frey from Detroit and Don Henley from Texas. Kate Garraway All that being said, the song does include some profound lyrics; There is no more new frontier, we have got to make it here The song was written for the band's 1976 album of the same name. ", In 2013, he added: "It's a song about a journey from innocence to experience.". Theuse of the word "steely" in the lyric, 'They stab it with their steely knives, but they just can't kill the beast', was a playful dig at the band Steely Dan, who had previously included the lyric 'Turn up the Eagles, the neighbours are listening' in their song 'Everything You Did'. The title track to the Eagles' landmark 1976 album, the track is, quite simply, iconic. Felder is not the most famous Eagle - Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Glenn Frey share that title. Only one of the five Eagles’ band members was actually fromthe State of California. Where that classic song is poetic and leaves much room for interpretation, this one is preachy with lyrics that are a bit bigoted, racist, elitist, and yet self-loathing, taking away from the otherwise beautiful melody and score. To this day, many of the unique terms and phases used in the song’s lyric are debated as to their exact meaning or intent. "Hotel California" is the title track from the album and it was released as a single in February 1977. 'Hotel California' by the Eagles is one of the most iconic songs ever recorded, and helped the band's Greatest Hits become the biggest-selling album in United States chart history. However, as aforementioned, the Eagles are also talking aboutactual women; in this case symbolized as one woman. One of the talents of a good studio musician is the recognition of the style of unique and iconic musicians. Henley chose the theme of the song, pointing out how The Beverly Hills Hotel had become a literal and symbolic focus of their lives at the time. The song was plagiarized by the Eagles. What inspired the song? Almost everyone agrees that “Hotel California” by the Eagles is an absolute classic song, but people aren’t quite as sure over what it’s about. He's the man who wrote the music for "Hotel California," the most-discussed song in the history of Songfacts. The character of the story in the lyrics has inspired several other conjectural interpretations by listeners. Other interpretations of the song include heroin addiction and cannibalism. Part of Classic Rock Review’s celebration of 1976 albums. America needs to grow up and take responsibility for their mistakes.. at least, that’s what the song means to me. I wrote cool wind in my hair in reference to (Horse With No Name) another song I wrote … It uses the driving analogy for a drug and danger fueled lifestyle and contains a great hook with an almost-disco beat. It is a piano ballad, surprising by Walsh with Felder playing the lead guitar role. Album Hotel California. Hotel California won een Grammy Award in 1978. In 2010 stond Hotel California voor de eerste keer op de eerste plaats in de Top 2000 van Radio 2. This song was recorded live in the studio and contains a great descend into a slide solo by Joe Walsh. While the lyrical content of the album is up for debate, the true beauty of Hotel California is the sound, much of which was unlike anything the Eagles had done before. Required fields are marked *. Although that album was also a smash hit, it contributed greatly to the tensions that ultimately broke up the band in 1980. Don Felder was once a member of that dysfunctional family we call the Eagles. “New Kid In Town” is probably the greatest country rock song ever (if there ever really was such a genre) It has some great chord structure, a beautiful mix of instrumentation, and more great guitar by Don Felder, although much less subtle than on the title song. He recorded the basic tracks with a Rhythm Ace drum machine and added a 12 string guitar on a four-track recording deck in his spare bedroom, then mixed in a bassline, and gave Don Henley and Glenn Frey each a copy of the recording. ", Frey also came up with a story of a person who, fed up of driving a long distance in a desert, saw a place to rest and pulled in for the night. As one of the most well-known songs of the rock era, and the 49th greatest song of all time according to Rolling Stone magazine, chances are youve heard the famous song Hotel California by the Eagles from 1977 unless youve been living under a rock. ", Frey described the song as a cinematic montage, "just one shot to the next ... a picture of a guy on the highway, a picture of the hotel, the guy walks in, the door opens, strange people.". The photo was taken by photographers David Alexander and John Kosh, who sat in a cherry-picker about 60 feet above Sunset Boulevard to get the shot. There was nowhere left for the group to go as a unit after such a huge success. Co-written by J.D. The misadventures of the staff and guests of the St. Gregory Hotel. Szymczyk was noted for laboriously experimenting until he found the right “sound” in each artist, as the producer possessed no musical talent or training, just extraordinary listening skills. In general, the song is about materialism and excess. According to Rolling Stone, Julia Phillips, the producer of films Taxi Driver and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, wanted to make a movie based on the song's story. Cannot imagine the record without it. These include “colitas”, “this could be Heaven or this could be Hell”, “wine” referred to as a “spirit” (which it is not), “steely knives”, and the key phase of the song – “you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave”. The song was written for the band's 1976 album of the same name. I thought exactly the same when I read that BS. In 2009, the song was certified Platinum by the RIAA for sales of one million digital downloads, and has since sold over 3 million downloads. 'Colitas' means 'little tails' in Spanish, while in Mexican slang it refers to buds of the cannabis plant. Thematically, members of the Eagles have described the album as a metaphor for the perceived decline of America. If you meant by “racist” lyrics, then you must mean, Don Henley is NOT the racist but sick Americans who took the land from Native Americans and then killed them. As the band’s fifth album, it was transitional in several ways including music and personnel wise. The hotel on the album cover is the Beverly Hills Hotel, known as the Pink Palace. This woman courteously welcomes the … I wrote cool wind in my hair in reference to (Horse With No Name) another song I wrote a year earlier. Writing credits for the song are shared by Don Felder, Don Henley and Glenn Frey. Picture: Getty Writing credits for the song are shared by Don Felder (music), Don Henley, and Glenn Frey (lyrics). Don Felder: How the Eagles Wrote 'Hotel California'. Henley decided that the song should be a single, but Felder had doubts, and the record company wasn't sure about releasing a six minute single, which far exceeded that of the songs generally played by radio stations. I’ve heard critics say that “the last resort” is the “anti hotel California”…..but, for me, that doesn’t really make sense. 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