The Eagles' "Hotel California": Why This Song Sucks

I never heard the "spirit" reference as pertaining to the wine itself, but more so the spirit of wanting wine (i.e. "that's the spirit!").  I think this guy is just looking for reasons to hate the song if he looks that seriously at one verse.

The Beatles are, in many cases, regarded as one of the best, most influential bands of all time.  No one is writing inane articles about the gibberish they pumped out.  Have a listen to the Magical Mystery Tour or Abbey Road album, or even songs as far back as on Revolver.  Great bands don't have to make sense, any more than a Dali or Picasso painting has to be logical.  I think the Eagles shine most on harmonization and interesting chord progressions, but that may be a little over this author's head if the best he can come up with is Dr. Seuss.  

Why this song is good : Because I like it

You just wasted 2 pages of this article trying to compare a very famous song with "The Lorax," and you expect me to believe anything you say?

I heard Henley and Frey talking about this very line back in 1976 to a guy from Los Angeles named Jim Ladd. Ladd had a nationwide interview program called "Inter-view" It's about how things went from 1960's bring us drinks things are fun to 1970 more wise and jaded bring me a drink i need to get lost and outta here. Henley was applauded for his whatever it was he possessed.. I call it bullshit 

Damn, these articles are pathetic. It's like douches on allmusic, but a bit less informed.

The author of this article wouldn't know poetry if it cummed on his face. What a daft shithole. 

Great work!It is obvious that this "song" was created by those with special needs...though, in saying that, you should give them a pat on the back, an A+ for effort...but it is awful.

True, Hotel California sucks, but it sucks so much less than the rest of the Eagles' catalog, which ranks amongst the worst dreck of the worst period in rock history. Henley+Frey+Walsh=total crap

worst article. ever. 

worst...article...ever

I can confirm... Don Henley is a dick!

I have always found this song annoying, particularly the lyrics but it moved into out and out hatred when I was trekking in Chang Mai.  We were staying over night in a village in the arse end of nowhere enjoying the silent night sounds when a group of Americans turned up with an acoustic guitar and began belted this song out.  I now feel the red mist rising whenever I hear the openeing strains.Cheers,Jim.

I disagree. The guitar solo at the very least saves this song.And as for the lyrics, well, they're not as poorly written as this piece of tripe.You should have realised that when you had to bring in The Lorax to support your argument.

I don't comprehend why this is even regarded songs literature. Can you create about something appropriate and not just getting on an old songs. I don't proper value what songs you individually think draw or don't draw.

OK, this blog was a waste of 3 minutes (read it 3 times to see if I was missing a point) of my life that I can never get back. Thanks. Back to the real world.

Dude is a total loser... Probably a right wing prick. He doesn't like it, or doesn't get it, therefore, it sucks...

And what exactly are you contributing?  This "criticism" is absurd and useless. I sincerely hope you lose your job.

Serrano ---  I had a long day and I LOVE the elfing Eagles!!!!

hipsters shouldn't be allowed to write about rock. No good NEW bands to write about?Pat yourself on the back for writing down shit you heard other clever kids talk about at the bar, take your "blog" money and buy some real records and write about something new.Next!

And they stole the chord progression from Jethro Tull shortly after touring as Tull's opening act.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

From Dallas TX, where I'm embarrassed to say Henley resides (somewhere around here), I THANK YOU!!! for this. I've said for years that this is one of the most overblown, overrated "best" songs of all time, and Henley is a douchebag of the supremely highest order. Your piece made me laugh and cry Snoopy tears of gratitude. Thank you...*sniff*...thank you...

This song is not so bad, & nice video too.

The lyrics to "Hotal California" are pretty much a stream of conscienceness thing.  A lot of song lyrics really don't mean very much or even anything.at all.  You either like the song or you don't.  It is all objective in the mind of the listener.  But that doesn't make Don Henley any less of an asshole.  I used to know him somewhat in the 80s and I can attest to the fact that he is was a lousy human being.   I hope he has changed, but a leopard can't change his spots.

I always assumed the term 'spirit' was a metaphor and not actually referring to alcohol. Hotel California is a song about getting caught up in the LA bullshit and turning into one of those LA socialites that I know many of. Yeah this article did read like some drunken cigarette smoking arrogant hipster rant, but it was kind of funny.Anyone could easily also dissect the lyrics of Stairway To Heaven with the same result.It almost seemed like an advertisement for the Lorax movie than anything else.

Dear Mr. Henley, please refrain from using "sociopolitical statements" or "literary devices" in your songs. Better yet just don't write any songs at all! And clearly winning a Grammy and selling 16 million copies qualifies it as a masterpiece. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

Mojo Nixon said it best, 

He's a tortured artist, Used to be in the Eagles

Now he whines, Like a wounded beagle

Poet of despair! Pumped up with hot air!

He's serious, pretentious, And I just don't care

Don Henley must die!

Don't let him get back together

With Glenn Frey!

Don Henley must die!

This is all about people selling their souls.   

Shee Serrano, do you play a musical instrument?  Do you understand the complexity of that song?  Obviously not.  Hotel California is about the dark underbelly of the American dream.  It's saying having everything that you want, isn't always a good thing.  FYI the real "Hotel California," if you have to attach it to a specific landmark, is the Beverly Hills Hotel in Southern California, but you couldn't take the time to research that because you were too busy spewing crap writing this sorry excuse for an article.  You say your cousin can play the guitar part from 2:30 to 3:15, congratulations, your cousin can play a few whole notes and quarter notes.  I don't see the relavence to the article, but you don't care about that do you.  Have your cousin try to play the intro and both solos, see how well he does there.  That song is one of the greatest songs ever recorded, you have absolutely no evidnece to back up your stupid opinion, if you had any musical knoweledge at all you would see that.  If the song sucks so badly why did it win a grammy and why did the album itself sell 16 million copies?  This is what you bloggers that can't back up your opinions with facts do: sit behind the safety of your computer desk, probably in mom's basement, and write things about topics that are way beyond your knoweledge, but since you are talking about them, other people for some reason believe the garbage that you spew just because they haven't thought about it themeselves.  It pisses people off, but most people won't want to take the time like this to tell you how stupid you sound,  So consider this a favor from me, someone who does play music, and has musical knoweledge and appreciation for brilliant works of art.

As much as I think this article is pointless and stupid, you trolls who think he shouldn't have been "paid" for this need to get a fucking clue and learn how blogging works.

The corporate fucks say, "Hey! Make us money! Get us blog unique! CLICKS! CLICKS! CLICKS!"

And then a savvy, yet probably lacking in complete "journalistic" integrity editor (which is an antiquated idea at this point) hires normally talented writers who are desperate for money to pay the bills to write provocative bullshit that will get people angry.

The angrier the readers, the more views. The more views, the more clicks. The more clicks, the more the corporate fucks are happy.

So, stop dissing the writer. Diss the system.

You had me at "Eagles" and "sucks"

Amen. The Eagles are the worst.

Okay I get the humor in it but I don't understand why this is even considered music journalism. Can you write about something relevant and not just bagging on an old songs. I don't care about what songs you personally think suck or don't suck.

Get a sense of humor, people

i feel like i just sat thru a special needs orientation class... eh.

I seriously hope you weren't paid to write this...

Can't even call this an article. What was the point of it? Besides bitchin and moaning?