Billboard #1 Hits: $423: “Hotel California” The Eagles. May 7, 1977. #1 1 week in Billboard Hot 100.
- Single: “Hotel California”- The Eagles
- Record Company- Asylum
- Genre: Rock
- Written by Don Felder, Glenn Frey and Don Henley
- Time: 6:30
- B-side:”Pretty Maids All In A Row”
- Album- Hotel California
- Grade: C-
- Peaked at #1 1 week in Billboard Hot 100. #8 in UK Singles Chart.
I hate the f-in Eagles. I hate this song- I have accused the Steve Miller Band’s “The Joker” as being the most overplayed song on rock radio- but I may be wrong. I will give it a C- for having borrowed the line “you can check out anytime you like but you can never leave” line. Until recently I had forgotten that this was the second single off of the Hotel California album- that “New Kid In Town” was released first- and also went to #1. This was The Eagles at the peak of their popularity. I do admit to being a fan of Don Henley’s limited solo career- he has released I believe 5 albums in nearly 40 years- I like the first three a lot and of course I like Ringo’s brother -in-law who should have received extra pay for having to hang around with these losers.
slicethelife 
Well, Hans, in this case I guess we’ll agree to disagree. 🙂
While I will admit the tune has been overexposed, I feel it’s one of the best ’70s rock songs I can think of with one of the most iconic double lead guitar solos. I also love the Eagles’ harmony singing.
But, hey, I think we agree like 95% of the times! 🙂
This review made my day!
LOL! I knew you were going to say that.
Your last comment- on The Eagles/ Streisand- somehow i hit the wrong key and it was erased. I was going to add- as much as I dislike The Eagles they are in no way in the same category as a lot of bands- I’d rather listen to The Eagles anyday over someone like Styx for example…
Check your trash. It may be in there.
Styx is an acquired taste. 😄
I thought I already answer this. Hmmm…
Did you check your trash? It may still be in there.
I like the Eagles a lot more than some readers here, it seems and do like this song though I grant you it is overplayed on radio. But it’s never been my favorite track on that album – I like “New Kid in town” better and think “The LAst Resort” was probably the “epic” statement song on the record, not this one. I think I like “Pretty Maids All in A row” better too actually!
my favorites on the album are the two side closers- Wasted Time and The Last Resort. I dislike Life In The Fast Lane even more than Hotel California.
I agree, on several points. I’d much rather hear “New Kid…” and I like the Eagles (at least they aren’t Streisand).
A thing about the Eagles – after all the drug and booze fueled acrimony and in-fighting that led to their breakup — when asked if they would ever get back together, they said ‘when hell freezes over !’
Then later, hey look ! the Eagles are back together.. and doing the ‘Hell Freezes Over’ Tour. hahaha I got a kick from that
and they charged an arm and a leg for tickets on that tour. I could be wrong but it seems like after that tour-the start of escalated concert prices all over.
They could have been the first, 1994.. In ’99 there was a Dylan & Paul Simon double headliner tour with seats at $100.. I heard people talking about a Who tour the same year, charging $350.. and the Stones have been doing outrageous prices for years & years.
I am not sure but I do remember in the mid 90’s it seemed like all the sudden prices exploded. It would have happened I am sure with or without The Eagles.
but always some people will pay whatever asked, their artist loyalty exploited
this is true. people should have said no thanks.