Lyric Analysis of The Eagles' "Hotel California"

“Livin’ it Up”

Many songs tell stories and have hidden or underlying significance. Often times the most subtle lyrics are the most powerful, even creating two or more meanings within the song. Some of these songs are also combined with excellent music that emphasizes the depth and meaning of the song. An example of such a song is “Hotel California” by the Eagles which was released in 1976 in the album also titled Hotel California. The song “Hotel California” displays all of the characteristics of a magnificent song. Metaphors with dual meanings, subtle hints of the Eagles past, and charming musical elements sculpt the airwaves into a powerful song.

Besides having hidden meanings and telling a story of the Eagles past, “Hotel California” would still be a chart topping song for only its ear pleasing music. Within “Hotel California” are seven basic guitar chords combining to form complex riffs played by both electric and acoustic guitars. Forming the guitar play with the reggae style beat, “Hotel California” creates its own style of music that pleasures anyone with a sense of musical awareness. The beginning of “Hotel California” has only two guitars playing without lyrical or percussion accompaniment. This sets up the mood for the song by giving soothing riffs with a mellow tune. This part of the song could refer to the very beginning on the Eagles trip to California. About one minute into the song, two loud bass thuds introduce percussion and vocals. This could be referring to the start of the Eagles’ adventure in California. Random miniature guitar solos appear throughout the song to emphasize the vocals and could also be highlights throughout the trip. About two minutes before the song is over the famous guitar solo is performed by Don Felder to close out the song. This guitar solo tells a story just as much as any of the vocals. With a strong beginning and many ups and downs, the ending solo in “Hotel California” almost explains what the Eagles were going through while in the state of California. The softening exit that declares the end of the song could infer the Eagles realization and longing to return home after many exciting adventures in California.

The vocals of “Hotel California” tell a darker story, filled with drugs and obsession that aren’t apparent by listening to just the music. A first look at the words of “Hotel California” explains a man who stops at a place called Hotel California where he meets a woman who he shares pleasures with. A deeper look at the lyrics and an understanding of rock groups of the time reveal many metaphors that describe drug use. A line from “Hotel California” says, “They stab it with their steely knives/ But they just can’t kill the beast”. This could be a metaphor describing the use of heroin where “knives” are the needles and “the beast” is the addiction.  Another line states, “and she said ‘we are all just prisoners here/ of our own device”. This could be yet another metaphor for the use of drugs whereas the Eagles are “prisoners” to the addiction that they themselves created, or “our own device”. Another example is within the chorus, “Welcome to the hotel California/ Such a lovely place/ Such a lovely face/ They livin’ it up at the hotel California/ What a nice surprise/ bring your alibis”. The phrase “livin’ it up” could possibly mean drug use and “bring your alibis” takes a more literal meaning by saying bring an excuse for doing these drugs. With knowledge of the typical rock band’s use of drugs one could infer that drug like substances are what the Eagles were referring to and influenced the Eagles songwriting.

Along with drug use the lyrics show the Eagles love for California and the high-life but not without the homesickness that came with it. The overall melody and happiness the music conveys gives a sense of love for the place the Eagles are describing in “Hotel California”. The lyrics “Welcome to the hotel California/ Such a lovely place/ Such a lovely face” literally describe how the Eagles viewed California as beautiful and “lovely”. But there was homesickness that came with the beauty. The lines “And still those voices are calling from far away/ Wake you up in the middle of the night/ just to hear them say” appear twice in “Hotel California”. These lines may have dual meaning that can describe homesickness where home is “calling from far away” and/or a drug addiction, where the addiction “wake[s] you up in the middle of the night”. The last line of “Hotel California” states, “You can check out any time you like/ But you can never leave!” These lyrics also have more than one meaning. One meaning could be drug related by saying the addiction “can never leave”. Another interpretation could be that the Eagles can “check out” from California, but the memories will always be with them. Yet another interpretation could be that “You can check out any time you like” from home “but you can never leave” the emotional attachment one has for their home.

Lyrics like the ones found in “Hotel California” are the most powerful. The listener can relate the lyrics to their own life making the song personal to them, even if it has nothing to do with what the lyrics meant to the artist. On the other hand, this could be what the artist wanted all along. Because the lyrics in “Hotel California” have so many possible explanations, the listener must also base their judgment of the lyrics on the tone and personality of the music. The combination of the lyrical stories, depth, and meaning with the musical stories, tune, and melody create a masterpiece known as “Hotel California”.