Lyrics of
Hotel California

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 ... the hedonistic lifestyle of California in the 1970s. See more [+]

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 doorway; I heard the mission bell
And I was thinking to myself
This could be heaven or this could be hell
Then she lit up a candle, and she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor,
I thought I heard them say
!--Chorus--
Welcome to the Hotel California.
Such a lovely place, (such a lovely place), such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of year, (any time of year) You can find it here
!--Verse--
Her mind is Tiffany-twisted, She got the Mercedes bends
She got a lot of pretty pretty boys she calls friends
How they danced in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget
So I called up the captain; Please bring me my wine (he said)
We haven't had that spirit here since 1969
and still those voices are calling from far away
Wake you up in the middle of the night
Just to hear them say
!--Chorus--
Welcome to the Hotel California.
Such a lovely place, (such a lovely place), such a lovely face
They're livin' it up at the Hotel California
What a nice surprise, (what a nice surprise) Bring your alibis
!--Verse--
Mirrors on the ceiling; the pink champagne on ice (and she said)
We are all just prisoners here, of our own device
and in the master's chambers, they gathered for the 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 any time you like
But you can never leave
!--Outro Solo--
!--Harmonies--
(fade out)