Hotel California is one of the most iconic songs by the Eagles, released in 1976 on the album of the same name. The lyrics, written by Don Felder, Don Henley, and Glenn Frey, describe a surreal journey to a luxurious hotel that turns out to be a trap from which the visitor cannot escape. The song can be interpreted in several ways but is often seen as a metaphor for the excess and decay of the American dream at the time, as well as a critique of ... See more [+] the hedonistic lifestyle of California in the 1970s.
Key: Bm
Introduction:
Am
E7
G
D
F
C
Dm
E7
x2
Am
E7
On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
G
D
Warm smell of colitas rising up through the air
F
C
Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light
Dm
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
E7
I had to stop for the night
Am
E7
There she stood in the doorway; I heard the mission bell
G
And I was thinking to myself
D
This could be heaven or this could be hell
F
C
Then she lit up a candle, and she showed me the way
Dm
There were voices down the corridor,
E7
I thought I heard them say...
F
C
Welcome to the Hotel California.
E7
Am
Such a lovely place, (such a lovely place), such a lovely face
F
C
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Dm
E7
Any time of year, (any time of year) You can find it here
Am
E7
Her mind is Tiffany-twisted, She got the Mercedes bends
G
D
She got a lot of pretty pretty boys she calls friends
F
C
How they danced in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat
Dm
E7
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget
Am
E7
So I called up the captain; Please bring me my wine (he said)
G
D
We haven't had that spirit here since 1969
F
C
and still those voices are calling from far away
Dm
Wake you up in the middle of the night
E7
Just to hear them say...
F
C
Welcome to the Hotel California.
E7
Am
Such a lovely place, (such a lovely place), such a lovely face
F
C
They're livin' it up at the Hotel California
Dm
E7
What a nice surprise, (what a nice surprise) Bring your alibis
Am
E7
Mirrors on the ceiling; the pink champagne on ice (and she said)
G
D
We are all just prisoners here, of our own device
F
C
and in the master's chambers, they gathered for the feast
Dm
They stab it with their steely knives but they
E7
just can't kill the beast
Am
E7
Last thing I remember, I was running for the door
G
D
I had to find the passage back to the place I was before
F
C
"Relax" said the night man; we are programmed to receive