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February 22, 1977 Album: Hotel California

Hotel California

Eagles

About Hotel California

Hotel California Lyrics

[Verse 1]

I walked through the door with you, the air was cold

But somethin' 'bout it felt like home somehow

And I left my scarf there at your sister's house

And you've still got it in your drawer, even now

[Verse 2]

Oh, your sweet disposition and my wide-eyed gaze

We're singin' in the car, getting lost upstate

Autumn leaves fallin' down like pieces into place

And I can picture it after all these days

[Pre-Chorus]

And I know it's long gone and

That magic's not here no more

And I might be okay, but I'm not fine at all

Oh, oh, oh

[Chorus]

'Causе there we arе again on that little town street

You almost ran the red 'cause you were lookin' over at me

Wind in my hair, I was there

I remember it all too well

[Verse 3]

Photo album on the counter, your cheeks were turnin' red

You used to be a little kid with glasses in a twin-sized bed

And your mother's tellin' stories 'bout you on the tee-ball team

You taught me 'bout your past, thinkin' your future was me

And you were tossing me the car keys, "Fuck the patriarchy"

Keychain on the ground, we were always skippin' town

And I was thinkin' on the drive down, "Any time now

He's gonna say it's love," you never called it what it was

'Til we were dead and gone and buried

Check the pulse and come back swearin' it's the same

After three months in the grave

And then you wondered where it went to as I reached for you

But all I felt was shame and you held my lifeless frame

[Pre-Chorus]

And I know it's long gone and

There was nothing else I could do

And I forget about you long enough

To forget why I needed to

[Chorus]

'Cause there we are again in the middle of the night

We're dancin' 'round the kitchen in the refrigerator light

Down the stairs, I was there

I remember it all too well

And there we are again when nobody had to know

You kept me like a secret, but I kept you like an oath

Sacred prayer and we'd swear

To remember it all too well, yeah

[Bridge]

Well, maybe we got lost in translation, maybe I asked for too much

But maybe this thing was a masterpiece 'til you tore it all up

Runnin' scared, I was there

I remember it all too well

And you call me up again just to break me like a promise

So casually cruel in the name of bein' honest

I'm a crumpled-up piece of paper lyin' here

'Cause I remember it all, all, all

[Verse 4]

They say all's well that ends well, but I'm in a new hell

Every time you double-cross my mind

You said if we had been closer in age, maybe it would've been fine

And that made me want to die

The idea you had of me, who was she?

A never-needy, ever-lovely jewel whose shine reflects on you

Not weepin' in a party bathroom

Some actress askin' me what happened, you

That's what happened, you

You who charmed my dad with self-effacing jokes

Sippin' coffee like you're on a late-night show

But then he watched me watch the front door all night, willin' you to come

And he said, "It's supposed to be fun turning twenty-one"

[Verse 5]

Time won't fly, it's like I'm paralyzed by it

I'd like to be my old self again, but I'm still tryin' to find it

After plaid shirt days and nights when you made me your own

Now you mail back my things and I walk home alone

But you keep my old scarf from that very first week

'Cause it reminds you of innocence and it smells like me

You can't get rid of it

'Cause you remember it all too well, yeah

[Chorus]

'Cause there we are again when I loved you so

Back before you lost the one real thing you've ever known

It was rare, I was there

I remember it all too well

Wind in my hair, you were there

You remember it all

Down the stairs, you were there

You remember it all

It was rare, I was there

I remember it all too well

[Verse 6]

And I was never good at tellin' jokes, but the punch line goes

"I'll get older, but your lovers stay my age"

From when your Brooklyn broke my skin and bones

I'm a soldier who's returning half her weight

And did the twin flame bruise paint you blue?

Just between us, did the love affair maim you too?

'Cause in this city's barren cold

I still remember the first fall of snow

And how it glistened as it fell

I remember it all too well

[Outro]

Just between us, did the love affair maim you all too well?

Just between us, do you remember it all too well?

Just between us, I remember it (Just between us) all too well

Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there (I was there)

Down the stairs, I was there, I was there

Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there

It was rare, you remember it all too well

Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there (Oh)

Down the stairs, I was there, I was there (I was there)

Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there

It was rare, you remember it (All too well)

Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there

Down the stairs, I was there, I was there

Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there

It was rare, you remember it

Wind in my hair, I was there, I was there

Down the stairs, I was there, I was there

Sacred prayer, I was there, I was there

It was rare, you remember it

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Lyric Video of Hotel California by Eagles

Line-by-Line Breakdown of Hotel California Lyrics

The song opens with a vivid scene of arriving at a mysterious and alluring hotel. Verse 1 introduces the traveler’s initial fascination and unease. The chorus emphasizes the surreal atmosphere and the hotel’s captivating yet imprisoning nature. Verse 2 and the following parts deepen the themes of temptation, loss of control, and inevitable entrapment. The iconic guitar solo closes the narrative with an emotional crescendo that reflects the song’s haunting mood.

Vocal Parts in the Hotel California Lyrics

Don Henley leads the vocals with a smooth yet haunting delivery that complements the song’s eerie story.
Vocal Style:Expressive, narrative-driven, with a mix of melancholy and urgency.
Backing Vocals:Harmonized layers enrich the chorus, adding to the song’s haunting ambiance.
Production Note:The arrangement features classic rock instrumentation—electric guitars, bass, drums—with the famous dual guitar solos by Don Felder and Joe Walsh that define the track’s sound.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of “Hotel California”?

It is commonly interpreted as a metaphor for the excesses and entrapments of the California lifestyle and the music industry.

Who wrote “Hotel California”?

Don Felder, Don Henley, and Glenn Frey wrote the song.

What genre is “Hotel California”?

Classic Rock, Rock.

Has “Hotel California” received any awards?

Yes, it won the 1978 Grammy Award for Record of the Year.

What makes the song famous?

Its evocative lyrics, haunting melody, and legendary guitar solos have cemented it as a timeless classic.

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