![]() At the time I said, “If there’s anything on this cassette you like you want to work on, call me and let me know.”Īnd so Henley said, “I like that song that sounds like a Mexican reggae.” That was his description of what it drew in his mind. When I first wrote all the music for it, I put it on a cassette with about 16 or 17 other song ideas, another one was what later became “Victim of Love,” and gave copies of the cassette to Joe Walsh, Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and Randy Meisner. In response to the insinuation that the first working title of the song was “Mexican Reggae,” Don Felder laughed and responded: ![]() Though the annotations to the left do their best to decipher Henley & co.’s words, it’s important to keep in mind a quote (and classic malapropism) from Eagles member Glenn Frey: “Vaguery is the primary tool of songwriters.” But it was also about the uneasy balance between art and commerce. It was really about the excesses of American culture and certain girls we knew. Some of the wilder interpretations of that song have been amazing. As Don Henley explained in the Daily Mail dated : Whether playing the rhythm or lead parts, on 6 or 12 strings, in basic or complex/advanced iterations, there is so much for any guitarist to learn from Hotel California.Īlex Bruce is a writer for and 30Daysinger.One of the most mysterious and widely speculated songs in rock history, “Hotel California” is best described in the words of its creators. Represents an achievement of ability and consistency Such a commercial, popular pop/rock song, and because playing it well therefore ![]() This is also significant because a 2 minute solo is rare in Both guitarists work together and overlap Is a crucial benchmark that so many don’t meet Legato, and the famous technical ending, this entire solo is ‘sing-able’. Legato, it’s all there and it’s all used to maximum effectĬonfidently played, articulate, every lick builds on the previous one, and Is almost a guide book in slides, bends, hammer-ons and pull offs, vibrato, It is one of the archetypical rock guitar 5 – The SoloĪrguably what the song is most famous for,Ĭertainly among guitarists, for whom learning this solo is a significant Instead it’sĪn extension of an idea and an energy that’s already present. Solo, when it comes, doesn’t feel as though it comes from nowhere. Guitar presence that grows and accelerates as the song progresses, meaning the Most importantly though, they represent a lead Vocal line, they fill space and create interest too. They contrast with – and respond to – the main Besides the harmony createdīy the twin guitars as discussed above, they also serve important other The song’s fills are still incredibly significant. Undoubtedly more famous for its guitar solo, Guitar sound that partially made the band famous. Guitar on Hotel California, creating the harmonized, ‘dueling’ double lead Joe Walsh and Don Felder both play electric Variation and more creative opportunity here Both of these elementsĪre essentially about how they sit above the chords. Song and prevents an 8-bar progression and 6-minute song from losing interestīoth the main vocal, and the guitar solo when it comes. This creates theĮffect of something that is ever-moving, which adds the ‘story’ feel of the The Hotel CaliforniaĬhords breaks this ‘rule’, but does so in a significant way:ĭifferent chords, not repeating any until the final bar. Long, or sometimes 2 chords, or a static riff. Very often, chord progressions are 4 bars This means the song is memorable from theįirst second, and helps to elevate it to iconic status. (more on this below), the use of the 12-string guitar – more often used toĬreate a rhythm guitar canvas than to be a feature part in its own right –Ĭreates a distinctive twinkly sound. As well as establishing the rolling chord progression The song is instantly recognizable for its Here are the key elements that make HotelĬalifornia the height of rock/pop guitar playing. Title track “Hotel California” is among the greatest, most recognized guitar tracks of all-time, simply put: it is an epic song demonstrating all the elements of Rock guitar mastery, it regularly tops – or ranks highly in – lists and charts of the best songs, guitar parts and solos ever. Their ‘Hotel California’ album in its entirety on their upcoming tour dates. The Eagles recently announced they will play
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