The story behind the record cover - Hotel California (1976) - THE EAGLES
Could it be number 1 again? The Eagles' Hotel California? It's the end of the year, many are busy compiling music charts. They are all over the place, especially on social media. The top 5 of the Top 2000 is almost a no-brainer. Hotel California is in it, invariably. And let's be honest, it's a great song with an unparalleled guitar solo. I've been trying to recreate this one for 45 years, and I'm still fumbling.
"Does this hotel actually exist?" I wondered. A building is depicted on the record sleeve. A bit sketchy, with a sunset and palm trees. A typical holiday picture. It turns out to be the Beverly Hills Hotel on Sunset Boulevard in the Californian city of Beverly Hills. It is a historic luxury hotel built in 1912. It looks appealing if you look at the hotel's website. Luxurious rooms, nice breakfast, beautiful pool and chic bar. And probably good-looking bellhops and receptionists.
You can check in, but you can never leave, sings Don Henley. That's why I'm not a big fan of hotels. It depends a bit on the price tag, but the concept is the same everywhere. Supposedly personal, but essentially distant. You are just a number checking in. Logical, usually you only stay there for a few days and then you're gone again. I can imagine that the average owner sometimes may think: "I hold my guests down, I gag them. No more hassle with dirty sheets. And no more having to smile kindly when one of the guests starts whining again."
The cover and lyrics of Hotel California appeal to the imagination, to mine as well. Enjoying traveling to distant countries, to beautiful nature, to other cultures. Going on adventures and meeting friendly people. Away from your daily worries. It's not possible right now, so I just have to make do with the cover of the album and imagining myself in a hotel.
Hotel California was released in 1976. It paints a picture of the decline of flower power on America's west coast in the late 1960s. After the massacres of Charles Manson and his gang, this world collapsed in one fell swoop; it hardened into cynicism and suspicion. The first five years of the 1970s were also the years for the great successes of The Eagles. With Hotel California they explore the underbelly of success. The lively rhythm and sharp guitars evoke an ominous atmosphere behind a friendly facade (like that hotel owner's smile?). The Eagles have such a typical American western sound, rooted in country music. Hotel California represents everything that punk and new wave wanted to destroy, afterwards. The sterile production, harmonically perfect guitar solos and heavenly harmony vocals. The fact remains that Hotel California has been high up on the charts all over the world for decades. Sixteen million copies have been sold.
Every time I make the same joke when checking in at a hotel. "Can I check out again?". The friendly receptionist's eyes glaze over. She breaks character for a moment. "The Eagles", I say, "Hotel California". And then she just smiles. It's a genuine smile because everyone knows this song. From the young to the old, all over the world.
By Gerrit-Jan Vrielink
Translation Alex Driessen
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