What's the meaning behind the song Hotel California by the Eagles?

Question

The lyrics are very different. I've listened to this song my whole life and could never figure what was going on in that song. What are they saying? I always thought it was about someone going crazy because of loneliness or something like that.

Answer 1

The lyrics of the song describe the title establishment, a hotel where "you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave." On the surface, the song is a tale of a weary traveler who becomes trapped in a nightmarish hotel that at first appeared tempting. There are many urban legends about the meaning of this metaphor. The song is generally thought to be about the hedonism and self-destruction in the Hollywood music industry. The idea is that the song compares the culture of fame and excess to a luxury hotel. Though initially welcoming its guests with unlimited pleasure, it is merely a guise and ends up trapping its residents through their own self-destructive actions. Hence, the line, "we are all just prisoners here, of our own device."

You can read more about the interpretation of the lyrics below!

Answer 2

Hotel California Song Meaning

Answer 3

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RE:
What's the meaning behind the song Hotel California by the Eagles?
The lyrics are very different. I've listened to this song my whole life and could never figure what was going on in that song. What are they saying? I always thought it was about someone going crazy because of loneliness or something like that.

Answer 4

There is no definitive 'meaning' of the lyrics of the song, however it has at least been partly confirmed to be about cocaine addiction and marijuana use according to Glen Frey. Beyond that, let your mind roam where it may.

Answer 5

Its about a guy who stops at a nice looking hotel, but finds out its actually haunted and can't get out. My interpretation is that looks can be deceiving.

Answer 6

the song is about going to hell a.k.a Hotel California