Lyrics of
Hotel California

Hotel California by the Eagles is often interpreted as an allegorical tale about the excess and decadence of California culture in the 70s. However, band members have stated that the lyrics have multiple meanings, including a critique of materialism and the loss of innocence.

On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim, I had to stop for the night
There she stood in the door way, I heard the mission bell
And I was thinking to myself this could heaven or this could be hell
Then she lit up a candle, and she showed me the way
There were voices down in the corridor, I thought I heard them say
Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (such a lovely place), such a lovely face
They're living it up in the Hotel California
Anytime of year (anytime of year) you can find it here
Her mind was tiffany twisted, she got the mercedes benz uh
She had a lot of pretty, pretty boys, who she calls friends
How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget
So I called up the captain, pleeeease bring me my wine he said
We haven't had that spirit here since 1969
And still those voices are calling from faaaaaaaar awaaaaaay
Wake you up in the middle of the night, just to hear them say
Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (such a lovely place), such a lovely face
They're living it up at the Hotel California
Anytime of year (anytime of year) you can find it here
Mirrors on the ceiling, the pink champaign on ice and she said
We are all just prisoners here of our own device
And in the master's chambers, they gathered for their feast
They stab it with their steely knives but they just can't kill the beast
Last thing I remember, I was running for the door
I had to find the passage back to the place I was before
Relax said the night man, we are programmed to receive
You can check out anytime you'd like, but you can't never leave