"Hotel California" is the title track from the Eagles' album of the same name and was released as a single in February 1977. Writing credits for the song are shared by Don Felder (music), Don Henley, and Glenn Frey (lyrics). The Eagles' original recording of the song features Henley singing the lead vocals and concludes with an extended section of electric guitar interplay between Felder and Joe Walsh. The song is considered the most famous recording by the band, and in 1998 its long guitar coda was voted the best guitar solo of all time by readers of "Guitarist". The song was awarded the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1978.
Introduction
Hotel California
Hotel California | Introduction
February 1977 February 1977 Single in February 1977. February 1977
what does the song hotel california by the eagles mean
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Eagles described it as their "interpretation of the high life in Los Angeles"
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what is hotel california?
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Title track from the Eagles' album
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who is the singer of this song?
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Don Henley
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when did this song release?
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"Hotel California" is the title track from the Eagles' album of the same name and was released as a single in February 1977. Writing credits for the song are shared by Don Felder (music), Don Henley, and Glenn Frey (lyrics). The Eagles' original recording of the song features Henley singing the lead vocals and concludes with an extended section of electric guitar interplay between Felder and Joe Walsh. The song is considered the most famous recording by the band, and in 1998 its long guitar coda was voted the best guitar solo of all time by readers of "Guitarist". The song was awarded the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1978.
Hotel California | Introduction
The melody of the title track, "Hotel California", was written by Don Felder. Don Henley wrote most of the lyrics, with contributions from Glenn Frey. Henley noted that hotel had become a "literal and symbolic focal point of their lives at that time", and it became the theme of the song. Frey wanted the song to be "more cinematic", and to write it "just like it was a movie". Henley sought inspiration for the lyrics by driving out into the desert, as well as from films and theatre. Parts of the lyrics of "Hotel California" as well as the song "Wasted Time" were based on Henley's break up with his then girlfriend Loree Rodkin.
Hotel California (Eagles album) | Composition
We wanted to write a song just like it was a movie." Frey described the song in an interview with NBC's Bob Costas 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." Frey continued: "We decided to create something strange, just to see if we could do it." Henley then wrote most of the lyrics based on Frey's idea, and sought inspiration for the writing by driving out into the desert as well as from films and theater.
Hotel California | Composition
Don Henley threatened a lawsuit for copyright infringement.
Hotel California | Cover versions
Glenn Frey said that originally "We decided to create something strange, just to see if we could do it," and that the song was meant to mimic the imagery of the 1965 novel "The Magus" by John Fowles, about a man in an unfamiliar rural setting who is unsure about what he is experiencing. Don Henley has given a number of explanations about the song, ranging from "a journey from innocence to experience" to "a sociopolitical statement". In an interview with "Rolling Stone", Henley said that the song was meant to be "more of a symbolic piece about America in general", and added: "Lyrically, the song deals with traditional or classical themes of conflict: darkness and light, good and evil, youth and age, the spiritual versus the secular.
Hotel California | Themes and interpretations
"Hotel California" is a song by the Eagles. Hotel California may also refer to:
Hotel California (disambiguation) | Introduction
According to Henley in a 1982 interview, the Eagles "probably peaked on "Hotel California"." Henley said: "After that, we started growing apart as collaborators and as friends."
Hotel California (Eagles album) | Recording
According to the producer Bill Szymczyk, there were 33 edits on the two‑inch master. The final section features a guitar battle between Joe Walsh (who had replaced Bernie Leadon after Leadon's departure from the band in 1975) and Felder, which took the two of them sitting together working for around three days to achieve the necessary precision. Walsh and Felder initially started improvising but Henley insisted that the recording should follow the music as first recorded in Felder's demo. Henley decided that the song should be a single, although Felder had doubts and the record company was reluctant to release it because, at over six minutes, its duration far exceeded that of the songs generally played by radio stations.
Hotel California | Recordings
The Eagles recorded the track with Don Henley on lead vocal three different times, twice at the Record Plant in Los Angeles and finally at the Criteria Studios in Miami. They first recorded a riff, but when it came to recording the vocal, it was found to be in too high a key for Henley's voice, so Felder progressively lowered the key from E minor, eventually settling on B minor. The second recording however was judged too fast. In Miami, the band fine-tuned the instrumentation and the lyrics and recorded numerous takes. Five or six best ones were selected, and the best parts were then spliced together to create the released version.
Hotel California | Recordings
The first live recording of the song appeared on the Eagles' 1980 live album, and an acoustic version with an extended intro is a track in the 1994 "Hell Freezes Over" reunion concert CD and video release. The "Hell Freezes Over" version is performed using eight guitars and has a decidedly Spanish sound, with Felder's flamenco-inspired arrangement and intro.
Hotel California | Recordings
The last track of the album, "The Last Resort" had to be re-recorded a number of times due to noise from the next studio. For the title track "Hotel California", after the arrangement and instrumentation had been refined, several takes were recorded. The best parts were then spliced together, in all 33 edits on the two‑inch master, to create the final version. In contrast, "Victim of Love" was recorded in a live session in studio apart from the lead vocal and the harmony on the choruses which were added later. Don Felder initially sang the lead vocals in the many early takes for the song, but the band felt that his efforts were not up to the required standard, and Henley then took over as the lead.
Hotel California (Eagles album) | Recording
The lyrics of the song have been given various interpretations by fans and critics alike, the Eagles themselves describing the song as their "interpretation of the high life in Los Angeles". In the 2013 documentary "History of the Eagles", Henley said that the song was about "a journey from innocence to experience... that's all..." Since its release, "Hotel California" has been covered by a number of artists and has become a part of international popular culture. Julia Phillips proposed adapting the song into a film, but the members of the Eagles disliked the idea and it never came to fruition.
Hotel California | Introduction
"Hotel California" first entered the "Billboard" Hot 100 chart dated February 26, 1977, and topped the Hot 100 singles chart for one week in May 1977, the band's fourth song to reach No. 1 on that chart. It peaked at number 10 on the Easy Listening chart in April 1977. "Billboard" ranked it number 19 on its 1977 Pop Singles year-end chart. Three months after its first release, the single was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), representing one million copies shipped. In 2009, the song was further certified Platinum (Digital Sales Award) by the RIAA for sales of one million digital downloads, and has since sold over 3 million downloads.
Hotel California | Chart performance
I guess you could say it's a song about loss of innocence." The song has been described as being "all about American decadence and burnout, too much money, corruption, drugs and arrogance; too little humility and heart." It has also been interpreted as an allegory about hedonism, self-destruction, and greed in the music industry of the late 1970s. Henley called it "our interpretation of the high life in Los Angeles", and later said: "It's basically a song about the dark underbelly of the American dream and about excess in America, which is something we knew a lot about." In the 2013 documentary, "History of the Eagles", Henley reiterated:
Hotel California | Themes and interpretations
The first song written for the album was "Hotel California", which became the theme for the album. Henley said of the themes of the songs in the album: On the title "Hotel California", Henley said that "the word, 'California,' carries with it all kinds of connotations, powerful imagery, mystique, etc., that fires the imaginations of people in all corners of the globe. There's a built-in mythology that comes with that word, an American cultural mythology that has been created by both the film and the music industry." In an interview with the Dutch magazine "ZigZag" shortly before the album's release, Don Henley said:
Hotel California (Eagles album) | Theme
The band took a stand and refused the label's request to shorten the song. The song was released as the second single from the album after "New Kid in Town". The front cover art for some overseas editions of the 45rpm single released was a reworked version of the "Hotel California" LP cover art, which used a photograph of the Beverly Hills Hotel by David Alexander, with design and art direction by Kosh. As "Hotel California" became one of the group's most popular songs and a concert staple for the band, live recordings of the song have therefore also been released.
Hotel California | Recordings
The Eagles won the 1977 Grammy Award for Record of the Year for "Hotel California" at the 20th Grammy Awards in 1978. The song is rated highly in many rock music lists and polls; "Rolling Stone" magazine ranked it number 49 on its list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". It was named one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. At the induction of the Eagles into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, all seven former and present members of the band reunited to perform "Hotel California".
Hotel California | Accolades
The demos he made were always instrumental, and on every album project he would submit 15 or 16 ideas. The demo he made for "Hotel California" showed influences from Latin and reggae music, and it grabbed the attention of Henley who said he liked the song that "sounds like a Mexican reggae or Bolero", which gave the song its first working title, "Mexican Reggae". Frey and Henley were both interested in the tune after hearing the demo, and discussed the concept for the lyrics. In 2008, Felder described the writing of the lyrics: Frey came up with a cinematic scenario of a person who, tired from driving a long distance in a desert, saw a place for a rest and pulled in for the night, but 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." In an interview with Cameron Crowe, Frey said that he and Henley wanted the song "to open like an episode of the "Twilight Zone"", and added: "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.
Hotel California | Composition
Frey, in the "Hotel California" episode of "In the Studio with Redbeard", spoke about the writing of "The Last Resort". Frey said: "It was the first time that Don took it upon himself to write an epic story and we were already starting to worry about the environment… we're constantly screwing up paradise and that was the point of the song and that at some point there is going to be no more new frontiers. I mean we're putting junk, er, garbage into space now."
Hotel California (Eagles album) | Composition
They wanted to demonstrate that they could play together without overdubs if they wanted to. A 40th anniversary deluxe edition was released on November 24, 2017. The set includes the original remastered album, and a second CD that features 10 live tracks from the concert at The Forum, recorded in October 1976 two months before the original release of the album.
Hotel California (Eagles album) | Release
According to Glenn Frey, the "warm smell" is "colitas... it means little tails, the very top of the plant." The Eagles' manager Irving Azoff appears to lend support to the marijuana hypothesis; however, Felder said: "The colitas is a plant that grows in the desert that blooms at night, and it has this kind of pungent, almost funky smell. Don Henley came up with a lot of the lyrics for that song, and he came up with colitas." Other interpretations of the song include heroin addiction and cannibalism. On the various interpretations, Henley said: "Some of the wilder interpretations of that song have been amazing.
Hotel California | Conjectures
"California" is a pop song written by Rick Nowels, Billy Steinberg and Maria Vidal, produced by David Tickle for Belinda Carlisle's sixth studio album "A Woman and a Man" (1996). It was released as the album's fourth single in the UK and the third single in Australia as a CD single.
California (Belinda Carlisle song) | Introduction
Adapted from AllMusic. Eagles Production
Hotel California (Eagles album) | Personnel
The album was nominated for several Grammy awards in 1978 and its title track "Hotel California" won the Record of the Year. The band manager Irving Azoff however refused requests by the Grammy producer for the band to attend or perform at the ceremony unless a win was guaranteed. The band therefore did not appear at the ceremony to collect their awards. Henley later said: "The whole idea of a contest to see who is 'best' just doesn't appeal to us."
Hotel California (Eagles album) | Awards and nominations
"The Last Resort" is a song written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey, which tells of how man inevitably destroys the places he finds beautiful. It was originally released on the Eagles' album "Hotel California" on December 8, 1976. It was subsequently released as the B-side of "Life in the Fast Lane" single on May 3, 1977. In a 1978 interview with "Rolling Stone", Henley said: "'The Last Resort', on "Hotel California", is still one of my favorite songs... That's because I care more about the environment than about writing songs about drugs or love affairs or excesses of any kind.
The Last Resort (Eagles song) | Introduction
A demo of the instrumental was developed by Don Felder in a rented house on Malibu Beach. 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. 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 Henley, whose forte is in writing lyrics, might work with him on finishing the songs they liked.
Hotel California | Composition
This was because Henley feared that he would lack control over the project.
Hotel California | Proposed film adaptation
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". 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". Leadon was replaced by Joe Walsh who provided the opening guitar riff of "Life in the Fast Lane" that was then developed into the song. The title for "Life in the Fast Lane" was inspired by a conversation between Frey and his drug dealer during a high speed car ride.
Hotel California (Eagles album) | Composition
However, when the identity of Beverly Hills Hotel was revealed, the hotel threatened legal action over the use of the image. The rear album cover was shot in the lobby of the Lido Hotel in Hollywood. The gatefold image shows the same lobby but filled with members of the band and their friends. Henley said: "I wanted a collection of people from all walks of life, It’s people on the edge, on the fringes of society." A shadowy figure appears on the balcony above the lobby, which led to speculations over the person's identity. Kosh designed a Hotel California logo as a neon sign which was used on the album cover and in its promotional materials.
Hotel California (Eagles album) | Artwork
Worldwide the album has sold 32 million copies. On August 20, 2018, the album was certified 26× platinum by the RIAA for 26 million units consumed in the United States under the new system that tallies album and digital track sales as well as streams. The album produced two number one hit singles on the US "Billboard" Hot 100: "New Kid in Town", on February 26, 1977, and "Hotel California" on May 7, 1977.
Hotel California (Eagles album) | Commercial performance
Ocean sampled the music from the Eagles' song "Hotel California" on the song "American Wedding" from "Nostalgia, Ultra". When asked about it, Ocean stated that Eagles band member "Don Henley is apparently intimidated by my rendition of 'Hotel California'. He threatened to sue if I perform it again." In response to Ocean's comments, the Eagles' legal representative released a statement: "Frank Ocean did not merely 'sample' a portion of the Eagles' 'Hotel California,' he took the entire master track, plus the song's existing melody, and replaced the lyrics with his own; this is not creative, let alone 'intimidating.' It's illegal.
Frank Ocean | Legal issues
"Hotel California" was met with generally positive reviews. "Village Voice" critic Robert Christgau felt it was their "most substantial if not their most enjoyable LP", while Charley Walters of "Rolling Stone" felt it showcased "both the best and worst tendencies of Los Angeles-situated rock". Both critics picked up on the album's California themes – Christgau remarking that while it may in places be "pretentious and condescending" and that "Don Henley is incapable of conveying a mental state as complex as self-criticism", the band couldn't have written the songs on side one "without caring about their California theme down deep"; Walters in contrast felt the "lyrics present a convincing and unflattering portrait of the milieu itself", and that Don Henley's vocals express well "the weary disgust of a victim (or observer) of the region's luxurious excess".
Hotel California (Eagles album) | Critical reception
Hotel California is the fifth studio album by American rock band the Eagles. The album was recorded by Bill Szymczyk at the Criteria and Record Plant studios between March and October 1976, and then released on Asylum in December. It was their first album with guitarist Joe Walsh, who had replaced founding member Bernie Leadon, and is the last album to feature bassist Randy Meisner. The front cover is a photograph of the Beverly Hills Hotel by David Alexander. "Hotel California" topped the US "Billboard" Top LPs & Tapes chart. At the 20th Grammy Awards, the Eagles won a Grammy Award for "Hotel California", which won Record of the Year, and for "New Kid in Town".
Hotel California (Eagles album) | Introduction
In 2003, the album was ranked number 37 on "Rolling Stone" magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, maintaining the rating in a 2012 revised list. The song "Hotel California" was ranked number 49 on "Rolling Stone" list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time", in 2004 and again in 2011.
Hotel California (Eagles album) | Accolades
A live vocal performance of the song survives from a 22 June 1972 repeat episode of BBC's "Top of the Pops".
California Man (song) | Release
In 2003 and 2012, it was ranked number 37 on "Rolling Stone" list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time".
Hotel California (Eagles album) | Introduction
Al B. Sure! recorded his rendition for his album, "Private Times...and the Whole 9!" (1990). Gipsy Kings recorded a flamenco version sung in Spanish. The Orb, under the name of Jam On The Mutha, produced a version that charted at No. 62 in the UK in 1990. Mike Piranha recorded "Hotel Honolulu" in 1998, satirizing overdevelopment, crime, and other issues on Oahu; the song became a local hit in Hawaii. The Romanian band Vama Veche recorded its version with different lyrics entitled "", sung in its native language. Alabama 3 covered the song for the album, "La Peste" (2000). Nancy Sinatra recorded a cover version for her 2002 album "California Girl", an album of songs about California.
Hotel California | Cover versions
"Life in the Fast Lane" is a song written by Joe Walsh, Glenn Frey and Don Henley and recorded by the American rock band the Eagles on their 1976 studio album "Hotel California". It was the third single released from this album, and peaked at No. 11 on the "Billboard" Hot 100.
Life in the Fast Lane | Introduction
On an episode of "In the Studio with Redbeard" (which devoted an entire episode to the making of "Hotel California"), Frey stated: I have to give all the credit for 'The Last Resort' to (Don) Henley. It was the first time that Don, on his own, took it upon himself to write an epic story. We were very much at that time, concerned about the environment and doing anti-nuclear benefit (concerts). It seemed the perfect way to wrap up all of the different topics we had explored on the "Hotel California" album. Don found himself as a lyricist with that song, kind of outdid himself...We're constantly screwing up paradise and that was the point of the song and that at some point there is going to be no more new frontiers.
The Last Resort (Eagles song) | Composition
Sammy Davis Jr. Sings Mel Tormé's "California Suite" is a 1964 album by Sammy Davis Jr.
Sammy Davis Jr. Sings Mel Tormé's &quot;California Suite&quot; | Introduction
Doman, Lil' C, SAP and Mars of 1500 or Nothin'.
Hotel California (Tyga album) | Recording and production
Upon the release, "500 Degrees" featuring Lil Wayne, "Hijack" featuring 2 Chainz and "Get Loose" debuted at 38, 39 and 46 respectfully on the "Billboard" Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, respectively. On September 12, 2013, the music video for "Don’t Hate The Playa" was released. On September 20, 2013, the music video for "Hijack" featuring 2 Chainz was released.
Hotel California (Tyga album) | Other songs
Commercially, "Hotel California" reached the number one position on the "Billboard" Hot 100 and reached the top ten of several international charts.
Hotel California | Introduction
Tyga then said that the song has the same feeling as their hit "Deuces". The song was produced by Cordale "Lil' C" Quinn, and it officially premiered on March 25, 2013. The song was released for digital download on April 4, 2013, along with the pre-order for the album. The music video was filmed in late April, directed by Colin Tilley. The music video for "For the Road" was released on May 19, 2013. On July 23, 2013, the music video for "Show You" featuring Future, premiered on 106 & Park. "Show You" was released to Rhythmic contemporary radio, as the album's third single on August 27, 2013.
Hotel California (Tyga album) | Singles
Crouse praised the "subtlety" of the production, particularly "James Taylor's twitchy guitar and Russ Kunkel's superb, barely detectable high-hat and bass-pedal work."
California (Joni Mitchell song) | Introduction
The front cover artwork is a photograph of The Beverly Hills Hotel shot just before sunset by David Alexander with design and art direction by Kosh. According to Kosh, Henley wanted him to find a place that can portray the Hotel California of the album title, and "portray it with a slightly sinister edge". Three hotels were photographed, and the one with The Beverly Hills Hotel was selected as the cover. The photographer shot the image 60 feet above Sunset Boulevard on top of a cherry picker. As the image was taken from an unfamiliar vantage point in fading light, most people did not initially recognize the hotel.
Hotel California (Eagles album) | Artwork
Dre and Roger Troutman) in 1997. A popular remix version of the song appeared on his 1996 double album "All Eyez on Me".
California Love | Introduction
"California Nights" is a song written by Marvin Hamlisch and Howard Liebling and recorded by Lesley Gore. The song appeared on her 1967 album, "California Nights".
California Nights | Introduction
It was released as a promotional single for his third studio album "Hotel California".
Molly (Cedric Gervais song) | Introduction
The album first entered the US "Billboard" 200 at number four, reaching number one in its fourth week in January 1977. It topped the chart for eight weeks (non-consecutively), and it was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in a week of release. In its first year of release it sold nearly 6 million copies in the United States, and by July 1978 it has sold 9.5 million copies worldwide (7 million in the US and 2.5 million elsewhere internationally). On March 20, 2001, the album was certified 16x platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, denoting shipment of 16 million in the United States, and had sold over 17 million copies in the US by 2013.
Hotel California (Eagles album) | Commercial performance
"California" is a country music song written by John Rich, Rodney Clawson, and Vicky McGehee. It was originally recorded by Tim McGraw on his album "Damn Country Music", featuring Big & Rich on backing vocals. Big & Rich released their own version in 2017 as a single, and it appears on their 2017 album "Did It for the Party".
California (Big &amp; Rich song) | Introduction
Ian Anderson has said that the chord progression in "We Used to Know" was picked up subconsciously by the Eagles when they toured together in 1971 or 1972 and used in their song "Hotel California". However Don Felder, who wrote the music for "Hotel California", did not join Eagles until 1974. In a 2016 interview, Anderson stated that the chord progression had likely been used in earlier songs and also called "Hotel California" a "much better song" than "We Used to Know".
Stand Up (Jethro Tull album) | Musical style
Don Henley was unhappy that songs like "Tequila Sunrise" and "Desperado" were lifted out of the context of the original album in a way that he thought detrimental to the nature, quality and meaning of the music. He said: "All the record company was worried about were their quarterly reports. They didn't give a shit whether the greatest hits album was good or not, they just wanted product." Despite being unhappy with the album's release, the band nevertheless reasoned that it gave them more time to work on the "Hotel California" album.
Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) | Background
In November 2012, Tyga announced that the first single will be titled "Dope", which features guest vocals from a fellow rapper Rick Ross. The song was premiered on December 20, 2012, through Power 106. The song features a sample of Dr. Dre's "Deep Cover". The single was released via digital download on January 15, 2013. The music video was released on January 18, 2013. The song peaked at number 68 on the US "Billboard" Hot 100. In February, 2013, Tyga announced that the second single for the album would be titled "For the Road", which features guest vocals from American recording artist Chris Brown.
Hotel California (Tyga album) | Singles
If I don't show up to court, it'll be a judgement against me & will probably show up on my credit report. Oh well. I try to buy my shit cash anyway. They asked that I release a statement expressing my admiration for Mr. Henley, along with my assistance pulling it off the web as much as possible. Shit's weird. Ain't this guy rich as fuck? Why sue the new guy? I didn't make a dime off that song. I released it for free. If anything I'm paying homage." Ocean performed the song live occasionally with an altered arrangement not utilizing the original "Hotel California" sample.
Nostalgia, Ultra | Controversy
The Cat Empire recorded a version sung in French entitled "L'hotel de Californie" for Triple J's Like a Version segment, and is included in its 2005 compilation album as well as the band's 2003 live album "On the Attack". Vocal Sampling have performed an a cappella version, which is included in their 2008 album "Akapelleando". The Killers and Rhythms del Mundo collaborated their version with Afro-Cuban music for the 2009 Artists' Project Earth charity, and it appeared on the album "Rhythms del Mundo Classics". Frank Ocean released a song that samples the entire instrumental track of "Hotel California" on his mixtape "Nostalgia, Ultra" (2011), entitled "American Wedding".
Hotel California | Cover versions
The single peaked at number 16 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 in March 1967 but stayed on the chart for a then-lengthy 14 weeks, ranking 61 in the year-end Top 100.
California Nights | Commercial performance
In 1975, Walsh was invited to join The Eagles as founding member Bernie Leadon's replacement. There was some initial concern as to Walsh's ability to fit in with the band, as he was considered far too "wild" for The Eagles, especially by their drummer and co-lead vocalist, Don Henley. Released on December 8, 1976, "Hotel California" was the band's fifth studio album and the first to feature Walsh. The album took a year and a half to complete, a process which, along with touring, drained the band. The second single from the album was the eponymous title track, which topped the charts in May 1977 and became one of the Eagles' signature songs next to "Take It Easy" and "Desperado".
Joe Walsh | 1975–1980: Eagles
The song's guitar solo was voted the best solo of all time by readers of "Guitarist" magazine in 1998, and was ranked 8th on "Guitar Magazine"s Top 100 Guitar Solos. The song was also included in the music video game "Guitar Hero World Tour". It was ranked the number 1 in the list of the best 12-string guitar songs of all times by "Guitar World" magazine in 2015.
Hotel California | Accolades
"California" is the second single produced, written, arranged and performed by Lenny Kravitz from his album "Baptism", released on June 9, 2004.
California (Lenny Kravitz song) | Introduction
In 1924. Cliff Edwards ("Ukulele Ike") released a very upbeat single of the song, which included some scat vocals and a brief sung intro: "Goodbye forever, goodbye forever, I'm going away for a long, long time." "Casa Loma Stomp," recorded by Fletcher Henderson, is a set of jazz variations on the song, whose tune is clearly audible in the first few verses and gradually disappears under the increasing complexity of the variations. Freddy Cannon recorded this song on his debut 1960 album "The Explosive Freddy Cannon".
California, Here I Come | Covers
"Ain't No California" is a song written by Sterling Whipple, and recorded by American country music artist Mel Tillis. It was released in August 1978 as the second single from the album "I Believe in You". The song reached #4 on the "Billboard" Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.
Ain't No California | Introduction
J.D. Souther initially wrote the chorus for the song. According to Souther, the band thought it sounded like a hit, but he did not know what to do with it. About a year later, Souther, Frey and Henley gathered for the writing of "Hotel California" where Souther played the song for them, and the three finished the song. Souther later said that the song came about as a result of their "fascination with gunfire as an analogy" and added that "at some point some kid would come riding into town that was much faster than you and he'd say so, and then he'd prove it." He said: "We were just writing about our replacements." Similarly, Henley discussed the song's meaning in the liner notes of "The Very Best Of": The song was rumored to be about Bruce Springsteen, who was gaining fame when the song was written, but Souther has denied this idea.
New Kid in Town | Background
On March 15, 2013, Tyga released the previously leaked song, titled "Molly"; a collaboration with Wiz Khalifa, Mally Mall and Cedric Gervais, as the album's promotional single. On March 21, 2013, Tyga shot the music video for "Molly" with Wiz Khalifa and Mally Mall. It was shot in downtown Los Angeles and was directed by Colin Tilley. He described the video as I, Robot meets Alice in Wonderland. On April 7, 2013, the music video was released. The song has since peaked at number 66 on the US "Billboard" Hot 100.
Hotel California (Tyga album) | Promotional singles
All songs written by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells, except "California Suite" and "A Stranger in Town" (Tormé).
Sammy Davis Jr. Sings Mel Tormé's &quot;California Suite&quot; | Track listing
"New Kid in Town" is a song by the Eagles from their 1976 studio album "Hotel California". It was written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey and J.D. Souther. Released as the first single from the album, the song became a number-one hit in the U.S. and number 20 in the UK. The single version has an earlier fade-out than the album version. The song features Glenn Frey singing the lead vocals, with Don Henley singing main harmony vocals. Randy Meisner plays the guitarrón mexicano, Don Felder plays electric guitars, and Joe Walsh plays the electric piano and organ parts. The song won the Grammy Award for Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices.
New Kid in Town | Introduction
As it proved difficult to bend real neon tubings into the desired shape of the script, the neon effect of the logo was achieved with airbrush by Bob Hickson. Additional portraits of the band used in the album package and promotional materials were shot by Norman Seeff.
Hotel California (Eagles album) | Artwork
"California" is a song recorded by British singer Amelia Lily, released as her fourth overall single. The track was co-written by Lily, Tim Woodcock and Steve Rushton. The track was released on 7 September 2014 in the United Kingdom.
California (Amelia Lily song) | Introduction
Group member John Rich told "Billboard" that " "there’s some 80s Country on there, and also some Eagles west-coast Country kind of stuff. It’s also a really fun song to sing. When the fans learn it, they sing it at the top of their lungs." Lead single "California" was originally recorded by Tim McGraw on his album "Damn Country Music", and his version features Big & Rich on backing vocals.
Did It for the Party | Content
"California" is a song by American recording artist Usher. It features American rapper Tyga. It was released on June 15, 2020, following Usher's appearance on an episode of the television series "Songland". The song was written by Usher, Tyga, Ester Dean, Ryan Tedder, Shane McAnally, Ryan Cambetes, Melvin Hough Ii, Rivelino Raoul Wouter, Kaj Nelson Blokhuis, and Michael Wise.
California (Usher song) | Introduction
These are the credits and the personnel as they appear on the back of the single:
California (Mylène Farmer song) | Credits and personnel
It is included in the album "Eagles Live", which was released in 1980 after the band had effectively broken up. A second version, recorded in 1977, was released on ‘Hotel California 40th Anniversary: Expanded Edition’ released in 2017. The song was rerecorded on Meisner's first solo album ("Randy Meisner") released in 1978. The song was performed with piano and acoustic guitar accompaniment, and 1970s teen idol David Cassidy singing in the backing vocals.
Take It to the Limit (Eagles song) | Recordings
The album was released by Asylum Records on December 8, 1976, in vinyl, cassette and 8-track cartridge formats. It was considered for quadraphonic release in early 1977, but this idea was dropped following the demise of the quadraphonic format. On the album's 25th anniversary in 2001, it was released in a Multichannel 5.1 DVD-Audio disc. On August 17, 2011, the album was released on a hybrid SACD in Japan in The Warner Premium Sound series, containing both a stereo and a 5.1 mix. Original vinyl pressings of "Hotel California" (Elektra/Asylum catalog no. 7E-1084) had custom picture labels of a blue Hotel California logo with a yellow background.
Hotel California (Eagles album) | Release
Tyga performed at Harvard University's Yardfest in the Spring of 2013, despite opposition from critics who've signed a petition seeking to keep him away over what they call his "violently misogynistic lyrics." At this time, Tyga collaborated with singer Sabi on her song "Cali Love". "Hotel California" was released on April 9, 2013. The album featured guest appearances from Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, Game, Wiz Khalifa, Future and Jadakiss. Along with production by Cool & Dre, David D.A. Doman, DJ Mustard, Detail, Mars of 1500 or Nothin', The Olympicks, and SAP among others. The album was supported by three official singles — "Dope" which features Rick Ross, "For the Road" featuring Chris Brown, and "Show You" featuring Future, along with the promotional single "Molly".
Tyga | 2012–13: "Hotel California"
The song was produced by Bob Crewe and arranged by Hutch Davie. The track features guitars and drum set in a 60's pop fashion. The chorus includes multiples long tones over abnormal chords and the verses are noticeably accompanied by a soft electric piano. The lyrics speak of reminiscing about romantic evenings on the beach with a lover.
California Nights | Composition
"I'm Headin' For California" is a 1944 song composed by Glenn Miller and Arthur Malvin and performed for radio broadcast. The song was released in 1946 as a 78 single by the Glenn Miller Orchestra led by Tex Beneke. The song was Glenn's last composition.
I'm Headin' for California | Introduction
It was a band that could be bombastic, but also one that made music worthy of the later tag of 'classic rock', music appropriate for the arenas and stadiums the band was playing." Steve Holtje, writing for "CultureCatch" in 2012, felt that even though "an awful lot of the album is snarky whining from co-leaders Don Henley and Glenn Frey, two guys who didn't really seem like they had that much they could legitimately complain about", in the final analysis ""Hotel California" and the underrated concept album "Desperado" stand as the group's greatest statements".
Hotel California (Eagles album) | Critical reception
"California" is a song by American indie rock band Delta Spirit from their 2012 self-titled album. Written by the band and released as a single two months prior to the album's release, it earned the band some of its first radio airplay and television appearances. A music video for the song was filmed and released in 2012.
California (Delta Spirit song) | Introduction
"Hotel California" was the Eagles' sixth album (including "Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)"), and fifth of original material. It became a critical and commercial success. In a poll of rock critics and DJs in 1987, it was ranked 48 out of 100. In a public poll for the 1994 edition of "All Time Top 1000 Albums", it was voted number 107, and then number 67 in the 2000 edition. In 2001, the TV network VH1 placed "Hotel California" at number 38 on their 100 Greatest Albums of All Time list. "Hotel California" was ranked 13th in a 2005 survey held by British television's Channel 4 to determine the 100 greatest albums of all time.
Hotel California (Eagles album) | Accolades
Hotel California is the third studio album by American rapper Tyga. It was released on April 9, 2013, by Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records; distributed by Republic Records. The album features guest appearances from Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, The Game, Jadakiss, while the production on the album was handled by DJ Mustard, Detail, Cool & Dre, David D.A. Doman, Mars of 1500 or Nothin', The Olympicks, SAP and Ryan Hunt, among others. "Hotel California" was supported by three singles: "Dope" featuring Rick Ross, "For the Road" featuring Chris Brown, and "Show You" featuring Future; while serving as the promotional single was "Molly" featuring Cedric Gervais, Wiz Khalifa and Mally Mall.
Hotel California (Tyga album) | Introduction
"California, Here I Come" is a song written for the 1921 Broadway musical "Bombo", starring Al Jolson. The song was written by Buddy DeSylva and Joseph Meyer, with Jolson often listed as a co-author. Jolson recorded the song in 1924. It is often called the unofficial state song of California. It entered the public domain in the year 2020.
California, Here I Come | Introduction
This song was written while Larry was in a traffic jam in Los Angeles; the song goes on to warn the listener that all the gold in the state "is in a bank in the middle of Beverly Hills in somebody else's name" and that attempting to make it big in California carries a risk of failure that could personally devastate one's resolve. On January 19, 1985, Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers Band sang the song at the nationally televised 50th Presidential Inaugural Gala, the day before the second inauguration of Ronald Reagan.
All the Gold in California | Content
According to band member Don Felder, when the Eagles first began playing stadiums the group would warm up pre-concert by singing "Seven Bridges Road" in a locker room shower area. After, each concert would then open with the group's five members singing "Seven Bridges Road" a capella into a single microphone. Felder recalls that it "blew [the audience] away. It was always a vocally unifying moment, all five voices coming together in harmony." Following the release of the "Hotel California" album, that set's title cut replaced "Seven Bridges Road" as the Eagles' concert opener, and according to Felder, the band "rarely even bothered to rehearse with it in the shower of the dressing room anymore." The song was restored to the set list for the Eagles' tour, prior to the band's 31 July 1980 breakup, with the band's performance of the song at their 28 July 1980 concert at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, which was recorded for the "Eagles Live" album released in November 1980.
Seven Bridges Road | Iain Matthews version/Eagles version
"California" was written by Kelly Winrich about his girlfriend on the East Coast, while he was living in California, after troubles and difficulties they "Called it quits". He wrote the song soon after."
California (Delta Spirit song) | Origin
"All music and lyrics written by Mel Tormé, except "San Fernando Valley" by Tormé and Gordon Jenkins."
Mel Tormé's California Suite | Track listing
Motel California is the third album by the American rock band Ugly Kid Joe. The CD was released on October 22, 1996. "Motel California" is the last full-length studio album until 2015. They disbanded in January 1997 and reformed in January 2010. It received lukewarm reviews and was a commercial failure. The title is a parody of the Eagles' album, "Hotel California". The song "Rage Against the Answering Machine" is a pun on the name of the Los Angeles rock band Rage Against the Machine.
Motel California | Introduction
"She's So California" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Gary Allan. It was released in October 2008 as the third and final single from his 2007 album "Living Hard". The song reached number 24 on the U.S. "Billboard" Hot Country Songs chart. The song was written by Allan, Jaime Hanna and Jon Randall.
She's So California | Introduction
The album was nominated for Album of the Year but lost to Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours". Three singles were released from the album, with two topping the "Billboard" Hot 100, "New Kid in Town" and "Hotel California", whilst "Life in the Fast Lane" reached No. 11. A 40th anniversary special edition of "Hotel California" was released in November 2017. "Hotel California" is one of the best-selling albums of all time. It has been certified 26× Platinum in the US, and has sold over 32 million copies worldwide, making it the band's best-selling album after "Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)". It has been ranked as one of the greatest albums of all time.
Hotel California (Eagles album) | Introduction
All songs written and arranged by Martin Stephenson, except track 11 written by Helen McCookerybook.
California Star (album) | Track listing
The film premiered on 25 July 2008 as part of the New York International Latino Film Festival presented by HBO and was part of the Boston Film Festival on 13 September 2008. "Hotel California" was an Official Selection on 16 September 2008 of the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival and the Kansas International Film Festival on 21 September 2008. The official theatrical release was on 23 March 2010 in the United States.
Hotel California (2008 film) | Release
"Hotel California" debuted at number seven on the US "Billboard" 200, selling 54,000 copies in its first week. In its second week, the album dropped to number 18 on the chart, selling an additional 19,000 copies. In its third week, the album dropped to number 30 on the chart, selling 12,000 more copies, bringing its three week total to 84,000 copies. On March 19, 2020, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined sales and album-equivalent units over 500,000 units in the United States.
Hotel California (Tyga album) | Commercial performance
Music critic Dave Thompson considers it an update of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" but says that it is "even more weary and despairing." Thompson regards the line "Some rich men came and raped the land. Nobody caught ‘em" to be a critique of a free market economy. Critic William Ruhlmann said of it that it "sketches a broad, pessimistic history of America that borders on nihilism." Author James Perone says that it ties "all the previous songs [from "Hotel California"] together in this final reflection of the dark side of California Life." He notes, for example, how the song lyrics contrast the beauty of the California desert with ugly suburban houses and ultimately progresses to criticize the concept of manifest destiny, on which American expansion to California was partially based.
The Last Resort (Eagles song) | Critical reception
According to "Rolling Stone", Julia Phillips, the producer of films like "Taxi Driver" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," was interested in shooting a movie based on the song's story. The band members and Phillips met to discuss the project. In her memoir "You'll Never Eat Lunch in This Town Again", Phillips wrote that the band members were difficult to deal with and arrogant. Henley said that Phillips offered the band members cocaine and was "nonplussed" when they turned it down. Tension between the two parties ended the pre-development deal for the film. "Rolling Stone" reported that the band was not upset at this development, as they were not particularly enamored with the idea of "Hotel California" being adapted into a film.
Hotel California | Proposed film adaptation
The song was included on the 1977 LP "Greatest Hits".
Southern California (song) | Recording and composition
The estates of Al Jolson and his songwriting team are co-credited for "California", presumably because the title and chorus bear strong resemblances to his own "California, Here I Come". Some websites refer to the Phantom Planet song as a cover of the Jolson tune. Some parts of the song, particularly the piano solos at the beginning and end, are similar to the Jolson song, but still contain several differences in melody. It also bears some thematic and melodic resemblance to Joni Mitchell's "California" from her 1971 album, "Blue". The song was re-recorded in 2005 by Phantom Planet and re-released as "California 2005", a much mellower version of the song than the original.
California (Phantom Planet song) | Song information
The album took a year and a half to complete, a process which, along with touring, drained the band. The album's first single, "New Kid in Town", became the Eagles' third number-one single.
Eagles (band) | 1975–1977: Major success with "Hotel California"
The song is about a marital affair with a woman in California which is unveiled when the mistress in the situation calls the narrator's wife, after which the wife questions the narrator with the song's title. No resolution is given to the song's question. According to Raven, he originally wanted to title the song "Who Do You Know in Dallas", but he felt that "California" fit the song's meter better.
Who Do You Know in California | Content
All songs by Gianna Nannini except as noted.
California (Gianna Nannini album) | Track listing
All songs written by Robin Eaton and Jill Sobule except where noted. Three tracks recorded for prospective inclusion on "California Years" did not make the final cut: "Mom", "The Rapture" and "Gotta Get Me Some" (the latter track, like "Empty Glass", originally written for the musical "Prozak and the Platypus").
California Years | Track listing
"Southern California" is a duet recorded by George Jones and Tammy Wynette. It reached number five on the "Billboard" country survey when it was released as a single by Epic Records in 1977.
Southern California (song) | Introduction