Hip Hop Fan's First Reaction and Analysis To Hotel California by The Eagles

[@michellekeyes1507]

So impressed with your analysis, most people don't get let, let alone at the first verse. Don Henley is a lyrical genius with a successful solo career also. End of the Innocence would be a great place to begin exploring there. ❤️ your channel, keep up the great reaction.

[@juspatmil]

Agreed 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍

[@thomasperkins7318]

I totally agree. This guy is really smart!

[@ep5005]

I thought the exact same thing on his analysis 👍

[@LtFrankDrebin100]

I was at the very first show of the Hell Freezes Over tour (easily one of the greatest names for a tour ever) at Great Woods in Mansfield, Massachusetts. I have been to a TON of legendary shows. For instance the Tool concert at the Boston Garden where that Danny Carey drum cam performance of Pneuma, which was an incredible concert doesn’t even crack my top 20… Anyways I’m not even the biggest Eagles fan ever but that concert cracks my top 10 easy. They sounded INCREDIBLE and literally just played all their greatest songs and everyone slayed.

[@larrychannell7056]

I don't think all these guys are from Las Angeles or even California east coast is more like it. But that what California does still other people's shit .

[@keyrat1753]

You would probably enjoy watching The Eagles perform Hotel California LIVE at the Capitol Center in Washington, DC. It is a stellar performance. Watching Don Felder and Joe Walsh send their guitars into outer space is incredible.

[@nancysimonds9760]

seeing them preform is an amazing experience, (in my humble opinion)

[@marymarin3277]

Yes! He needs to see that performance live!!♥️

[@robertocaba5915]

Fuck yeah!

[@mikegrady5669]

Greatest duel guitar solo of All Time!!!!

[@martinXY]

Absolutely. I am stunned by how perfect the recording is, too.

[@dansullivan8648]

Syed we love your passion and your deep, well thought out analysis. You are seriously a must watch for all of us. Pretty sure you nailed it when you mentioned that this song was written and recorded at the exact right time and Henley and Frey's lyrics are really second to none and so brilliant and clever. Thank you for all that you do for us. Hope you are good.

[@gl15col]

I am so envious of someone hearing this for the first time. The Eagles are classic and one of the all time greatest bands. Enjoy!

[@WereMike]

Agreed. I remember the first time I heard this song back in 1981. It stuck into my brain and heart and its never let me go. Also, the finale guitar duet with Walsh and Felder is just perfection and I never want it to end.

[@sherryarflin726]

The guitar duet at the end between Don Felder and Joe Walsh is a master piece. Putting these two guys together was brilliant.

[@steve9199]

Hotel California has been called, "A Guitar Solo with a song in it".... It's one of the most iconic songs in music history. The "Hotel" is a "song about a journey from innocence to experience. That's all" -Don Henley. The song's opening verse functions as a broad metaphor for the journey of life in general.

[@jadalan1047]

This is the best reaction channel I've encountered on KZbin. Keep up the great work!

[@paulkingartwerks7981]

Hotel California is a metaphor of the underbelly of hedonism and chronicles the culture of excess, wealth, decadence, and self-destruction in the Southern California cultural milieu of the mid-1970s. 1969 is a reference to the end of innocence and the hippie movement of the late sixties. Steely knives is a reference to Steely Dan. The Don Felder and Joe Walsh duet solo is epic.

[@thomasperkins7318]

I think the reference to 1969 may also be about the disastrous Altamonte Music Festival that occurred in December of that year.

[@corkydukeII5898]

Good breakdown. I always felt 'Hotel' is just a substitute/metaphor for the 'State' of Calif itself (well, specifically 'Socal' as you mentioned). "You can check out any time you like but you can never leave", sounds like anyone is free to leave Calif, but the experience will forever be burned into your soul.....never truly 'leaving' it for the remainder of your life.

[@robertmcconnell1009]

Spot on Paul king artworks 👍

[@OCRay1]

Aka- the greatest time to live in SoCal.

[@sueharviel6510]

You are the first and only reactor to this song (and I've watched maybe 10?) that got it right in your interpretation of the song. I'm only sad that you didn't see it live so you could enjoy the guitar duet. Great reaction. When you get more classic rock on your channel, I'll be back!

[@PaulJoeTX]

Amen!

[@sjdj3000]

Let’s not forget they all sing, harmonize and play at the same time 😮

[@MrLivewire1970]

Great breakdown of the song. As a child of the 70's I grew up listening to the Eagles. I was fortunate to see them twice in concert when Glenn Frey was alive. They really put on a great show. My favorite Eagles song is New Kid In Town.

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

One of the big reasons that The Eagles became so huge was that they were genre busters…..they appealed to those who liked folk rock, pop, soft rock, and country rock. So much talent in that band! They brought in Joe Walsh to give the band a harder edge.

[@marilyngordy3670]

I might be old but we had the best music! Pure talent, no autotune. We were a happy generation because of our music.

[@rogerunderhill4267]

Freebird is the ultimate guitar solo

[@gregrathbone986]

California is known for the Spanish Missions - 21 of them from south to north, a days walk apart built during Spanish colonial period of the 1700’s. Mission Bells are an iconic California theme from architecture to consumer branding. California deserts aren’t normally humid, it’s a dry heat.

[@WILLKMC]

Not when the Monsoons drift over from Arizona

[@42Mrgreenman]

@@WILLKMC True, but dry heats are way worse...I'm in Florida, and at least we know when we are sweating our butts off and are about to pass out...in the dry heat, you hardly notice it, especially if you are acclimated to wet heat...I probably would have passed out and busted my head on a rock if my family hadn't told me that I was turning beet red the first time I went to Rachel, NV...lol...I was lucky I wasn't out by myself or it could have been seriously life threatening...

[@eaglelove00]

Agreed. Spent most of my 50 years in CA deserts. I’ll take dry heat over humidity every single day! We do usually get a month of humidity and it’s agonizing. However, I also can’t imagine those who live in climates with below zero temps 😂 The missions are so incredible, I loved that you mentioned them. So many beautiful memories at many of them.

[@SmokeDogg11]

Hands down the best guitar duet in the history of Rock and Roll.

[@michaelsuder486]

You're extremely fun to watch cause you correctly analyze the hardest lyrics from bands like Pink Floyd, The Beatles, this song...it's impressive

[@jamesm7417]

Life In The Fast Lane is another great tale of excess from the same album. Faster tempo with a great solo section as well. Hotel California’s overall feel and sound was a departure for them. Their best by far in my opinion. It was more edgy and gritty, heavily shaped by newly added guitarist Joe Walsh’s harder rock style. His catalog is wormhole unto itself.

[@potatos_4_free]

Walsh is probably my favorite Eagle. I love his solo stuff.

[@thomasperkins7318]

Yeah. There's no mistaking the message of that song.

[@Amaberean]

Funny, Hotel California is always trotted out as the Best of the Eagles. I always felt that it was the LEAST example of an expression of what their music was. I always preferred nearly all of their other stuff over ‘Hotel’ Seriously, I can’t think of any song in their catalogue that represents their body of work LESS that Hotel California. Don’t get me wrong. It’s a great song. But it really is an Outlier.

[@shawnmcinnes565]

I’ve been listening and loving this song since it came out and never heard anyone break it down as well as you did. I’m impressed.

[@timjenkins4065]

Agreed with Michelle’s take About Syed’s consistently brilliant analysis. For my take, he’s the best there is at breaking down lyrics, and also the music.. keep it up sir👍

[@LadyIarConnacht]

He's really, really good at it, and it's awesome to see somebody listening to these songs for the first time, reacting to them like we did when they were released.

[@marakanarodjaci7678]

and the music itself represents that ratio between good and evil, at first glance it seems so beautiful and cheerful (as well as fame), but when you peek inside a little deeper into the lyrics, you discover how dark it is

[@twylanaythias]

Trivia: The Eagles and Steely Dan were 'frenemies' - not in the adversarial sense, but that they each strove to out-do the other. As with Schwarzenegger and Stallone in their movies, they rarely missed an opportunity to name-drop the other in their "A-tracks". In Hotel California, they did it with the "Steely" knives.

[@aragorn50th]

The dual solo with Joe Walsh and Don Felder is phenomenal. 🤘

[@billyboy4774]

I looked up the meaning and this is what i found: In this tale, the “Hotel California” is an allegory about the inescapable musical industry within the dark underbelly of the American dream. It is a great metaphor for the charms of the West Coast and its effects on the unworldly musicians that fall into its glittering trap of fame and fortune without an escape. Billy Boy

[@jorgennilsson4168]

Fantastic analysis! regarding the end solo - due to the fact that it is a "solo" done by two guitarists I consider it the best ever in that genre. Gilmours solos are the best "solos" but I think the fact that Eagles had two such talented lead guitarists give them a top spot on that special branch.

[@timeless8536]

Most people would say that Hotel California is about addiction or the dark, seedy underbelly and excesses of Hollywood and Los Angeles. And from the surface level, that may be correct. But I tend to think that just with any powerful message from many iconic stories, Southern California is merely a metaphor for Reality and Life itself. The Eagles often made songs about the American Dream, which is predicated by fame and material wealth over authenticity and spiritual values. This is known as the Terrible Bargain, in which one makes, to gain the World, but lose one’s Soul. The secret teachings of the Gnostics and Cathars, I believe, were the basis to not only this song, but the entire album. A belief that we, as true spiritual beings, are not from here. Meaning, this is not our true Home and this can be likened to a “resort” or “hotel,” in which we are visiting. A matter of fact, the last song of this album is called “The Last Resort.” No coincidence there. The Gnostics believed that we were kept prisoners by a Demiurge or false deity (“the Beast”) that tricked and trapped us in a 3D reality that mimics Real Life in a perpetual Time Loop called Reincarnation. The Cathars called the false deity, Rex Mundi. Their ultimate goal was to try to escape the “Hotel” and return Home. To the place of absolute Truth in which the Gnostics referred to as the Pleroma. And for this, the Cathars and the Knights Templars were tortured and brutality massacred. This was the story of the Inquisition and the Crusades. This is why secret societies have become “secret.” And this was why the Native Americans (Indians) were also erased from history. Because most of their core beliefs mirrored those of the Gnostics and Cathars. It’s no wonder that the Eagles took this name and a Native American theme in most of their albums’ artwork. Listen to the lyrics of “The Last Resort” and read between the lines. It’s all there if you are able to look deeper than the surface level.

[@magichands8791]

I subscribed based solely on your analysis of this song. As a child of the sixties/seventies, this became a favorite of mine and you nailed it on the head. Well done!!

[@Tijuanabill]

A great example of, it doesn't matter if your lyrics are nonsensical and vague, if you have a really killer riff and and even more killer guitar solo.

[@LadyIarConnacht]

You are REALLY good at digging into lyrics. You won't go wrong with the Eagles - they brought together some amazing musicians and had a huge influence on the rock styles of their top era. Some other great songs by them include Life in the Fast Lane, One of These Nights, huge crossover hits like Take it Easy and Peaceful Easy Feeling and the haunting ballad Desperado.

[@dmCurator]

These guys weren't much older than I was when this came out and what amazes me still is that Henley had the depth of life experience to conceive of these lyrics.

[@Andres64B]

I love Eagles. So many good songs, one of my favorites is Lyin' Eyes

[@MrDiddyDee]

Fantastic idea for a song, great groove, a Latino/Reggae fusion, when you see a live version you'll realise Don Henley can sing the lead whist playing the drums, a rare thing for any band. I've always considered this to be allegorical with California embodying a privileged hedonistic lifestyle. The lyrics have the unsettling atmosphere of a 'Twilight Zone' episode. A place between light and dark, a nightmare, a bad trip, a place of limbo, a tipping point, or literally purgatory itself where it depends on what lessons have been learnt how things will turn out - 'This could be heaven or this could be hell'.

[@steveullrich7737]

Yes he needs to see the live version which unlike many live versions surpasses the studio recording.

[@robertmiller1655]

I always thought of this song as a metaphor for any sort of addiction (drugs, sex, power, etc.). Joe Walsh was an incredible addition to their lineup.

[@kimmjohnston4744]

Two lead guitar players and the Drummer is the lead singer. Ton of talent on the stage when these guys get it on.

[@raffitorres1714]

My dad saw these guys live in the 70s. Said it was one of the best performances he’d ever seen.

[@michaelyork4554]

If you want some lyrics, and music to blow your mind, try "Awaken" by Yes. You should see Hotel California Live with Felder, and Walsh trading licks.

[@Vinnie-cv5qv]

This is one explanation of the song Hotel California.. This song is about the [Halfway House] or rehabilitation center of the rich and famous drug and alcohol abusers known as the [Hotel California]. The hotel is for the rich and famous drug and alcohol abusers. "And I was thinking to myself [this could be heaven or this could be hell]." This refers to what he will be subjecting himself to during the very painful withdrawal process. And the hours-long epileptic-like seizures his body will be going through to rid the body of its drugs and alcohol in his system. "Her mind was Tiffany twisted she got the Mercedes Benz. She has lots of pretty pretty boys she calls friends." Tiffany's is world-famous for its fine and very expensive jewelry. She is wealthy with very expensive taste in cars and jewelry. And her friends are actors, models and rich kids. "How they danced in the courtyard Sweet summer sweat. Some dance to remember Some dance to forget." This refers to the painful and gut-wrenching withdrawal process one must go through to rid themselves of the drugs and alcohol they have in their system. "So I called out the captain "please bring me my wine" we haven't had that spirit here since 1969." Refers to the Woodstock era of "Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll." "And still those voices are calling from far away wake you up in the middle of the night just to hear them say... Welcome to the Hotel California what a lovely place what a lovely face. Plenty of room in the Hotel California. They living it at the hotel California what a nice surprise bring your alibis." In every halfway house or rehabilitation center. The staff along with past drug and alcohol abusers who are counselors and to are part of the staff...Always welcome you with open arms anytime day or night. "What a nice surprise bring your alibis." This refers to the many excuses the abusers will give to the staff. As to the many reasons why they became addicts. "Mirrors on the ceiling, 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 their 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 anytime you like but you can never leave!" Mirrors on the ceiling refers to the big room where all the addicts gather to receive their drug substitutes to ween them off of the hard drugs. Pink champagne on ice refers to the drug substitute 'Methadone" which is a liquid and is pink in color. The drug and alcohol addicts are prisoners of their own self-destruction. And they themselves are to blame for letting themselves become drug and alcohol abusers. The Beast is the "Drug and Alcohol Addiction" an addict will have to live with for the rest of their lives. The addict will never be rid of the addiction. It will be a constant battle for the rest of their lives to live drug and alcohol-free. You can check out anytime you like but you can never leave refers to "Once an addict always an addict!"

[@kathenavarro6850]

I too, am impressed with your analysis. As I was hearing you I just kept nodding my head. Yep, yes, you got it! 4 years later on their Long Run Tour was my first concert. I was 16. Loved it!!

[@AManIsNoOne67]

Wow, all these years and I missed "bends." I only look up lyrics when I don't understand them, and I thought I understood all of these. They got me good.

[@krash66]

I remember the first time I heard this song. I was 10 years old at the roller skating rink. I instantly loved it. The whole album is great. And you have to love the dueling guitars of Don Felder and Joe Walsh. Joe Walsh is one of my favorite guitarists of all time! Nice reaction!

[@mattyjay8896]

That's the awesome thing about music, you can interpret it as you wish! Great reaction!👌

[@johncarpenter3751]

This is one of the few Popular songs ever recorded that has 8 chord changes before it comes back around to the one

[@dougca7086]

The thing about good rock and roll is it can mean anything The Listener wants it to and most have many different meanings

[@philshorten3221]

Similar to a Pink Floyd - Dave Gilmore guitar solo, in that there's no frantic shredding, ..it's just tasteful as f@#k! Another Don Henley track that always make you feel warm is "Boys of Summer"

[@billbitterman9487]

Boys of Summer was co-written by Mike Campbell (TP & The Heartbreakers lead guitarist)

[@nancysmith38]

Gotta hear it live!!!

[@josephclarke4244]

Great analysis once again my friend, when album first came out we all realized is was full of metaphors yet it was a battle between guys who just got lost in the music and the guys who got memorized by the lyrics. For me from the jump the story gave evoke deep thoughts it wasn't till much later I realized how awesome the music is.

[@dandundon9503]

First heard this prior to an Emerson, Lake, & Palmer concert in 1977. It was one of the songs played before ELP took the stage and it sounded amazing through their concert sound system.

[@stevelaconte8802]

This song can have several meanings, all depends on how you interpret it.

[@sallybannister6224]

Take from it what you need, that's the beauty of it. Like life ,

[@martinpascual3558]

Almost every member of the eagles had a successful solo career, they could all play and sing. I highly recommend the Hell Freeze's Over tour live version of this song.

[@donnastupka7507]

Great reaction! U got it! Most reactors seem to have more difficulty understanding all the metaphors ! Good job! Well done!🎶💖🎶

[@bigdaddymosh1964]

You gave the best first listen take I’ve ever heard. I think you got everything exactly right. Can’t find fault with anything! You got it.

[@kimberlygrimm7007]

The most prolific analysis of this song I have ever heard! Extraordinary reaction! You have a new subscriber here!!

[@lorianne5330]

This whole album is fantastic. The Last Resort is my favorite.

[@margaretstutts4362]

Dons Felder and Henley and Glen wrote it. Wait until the guitar solo. Henley said once about this song, that it’s about going to Hollywood as a naive kid and growing up really fast with the drugs, women, drinking, etc available in the rock scene in the 1970s. I’m impressed. Most people don’t understand the song the first time and I like your analysis.

[@neilmartin99]

Masterpiece from start to finish. Nothing more need be said.

[@socadream]

Remembering when I was in high school and we’d absolutely listen to this after toking up…on a hot summer night in Southern Ca….instantly takes me back to those cool chill parties…and enjoying the company of my guy💋

[@theresashelton7063]

Great reaction. Grew up listening to the Eagles and this song is amazing. This was part of my road trip tunes. This song is all about excess and addiction etc.

[@brandimodrak461]

The drummer is also the singer 😍 Much love to you and your family 💕Brandi Modrak 💕❤

[@mikeortiz6008]

The Eagles are one of the true pioneers of southern California rock! Love the way you broke this song down I love watching people listening to this song for the 1st time! I remember 1st hearing this song when I was 8 years of age my dad was a lover of this band which now I am as well! Don Henley is s great singer with this band and as a solo artist. Glen Frey who we just lost was an amazing singer with this band also and as a solo artist! Great reaction young man!!

[@sherylhenley1931]

You should also see Desperado live. Don Henley is an amazing lyricist and musician.

[@classicrocklady6288]

This reaction and analysis was a "subscriber" for me. Amazing analysis! And love the appreciation of the guitar solo as well as the lyrics.

[@lisabeebe1863]

Well done!!! Very well done and very much on point!! That came out in my era, Still love it to this day :)

[@raymann7998]

Your perception of this is so accurate and I'm kind of freaked out right now by you picking up on that wow that's very impressive

[@foyorama]

It is amazing to me that I song and music I grew up with you are now trying to explain it to people, we have known the meaning for quite a long time, good to see you enjoying some good music...

[@robotto8858]

It was setup in the line "this could be heaven or this could be hell". "hell" is often disguised as "heaven". Fame, fortune come with a price. We all say we'd accept it, but most of us really don't understand the cost. Eagles have countless hits and I'll be viewing every one of them react to. Maybe my all time favorite band. Got me through many tough times.

[@robertocaba5915]

Man, great analysis on a first listen. One of the best written songs ever...

[@debjorgo]

The one song where I actually prefer the live video.

[@carlawiberg6282]

In those days, used to hear the line "Any time of year you can find it here" sung as "Any kind of gear, you can find it here" ...

[@monicamad1285]

Steely knives is a shout out to Steely Dan, a band that mentions the Eagles in a song .

[@martinl8574]

It's not a shout out. It's them dissing Steely Dan for complaining that the Eagles were more popular because S.D. believed they were more talented. The stteely knives were S.D. and the Beast were the Eagles, who could not be stopped or "killed". The best and creative insult in music history!

[@monicamad1285]

@@martinl8574 Hey Martin 👍 didn't say it was a positive shout out, I read that they used knives instead of Dan as a small penis metaphor. 🤣🤣

[@skinnex3236]

My parents are eagls fans so this Solo was always present in my life, but i always remeber when it hit the most. I was in a Hospital with a life altering injury, it was 3am i was sitting in the hallway with my headphones. Music hit different back then

[@johnianknox1629]

Master songwriting and musicianship all in one place, one of the biggest rock/country songs of all time. Fantastic reaction Syed and you really nailed it with your interpretation of what's it all about, enticement, excess, addiction and hedonism, keep up the great work buddy.

[@adamberggrun8426]

Blown away u never heard this. Love the way u express your opinion. I have 45th row to see them here in Cleveland October 17th for their last tour. Wow, very costly but will be worth it

[@oldwestdude]

Michelle your so right and this man's critique is both insightful and spot on I love the eagles

[@johntravers9426]

in the end one of the greatest duel harmonizations of 2 different guitars playing ever recorded

[@joe2125]

this is the song that made me pick up and start playing guitar as a kid in the 90s . my parents had the vinyl and with no interent to keep me busy i would play records all day.

[@dwhite849]

Listen on your own - forget the intense lyric- listen to the music and harmonies. Just perfect.

[@sealdrup]

My all time favorite song, honestly. Another good one of theirs from the same album is 'The Last Resort'. I played the heck out of this album, yes vinyl I guess it is called today.

[@BalbazaktheGreat]

Classic song. I've loved this one since I was a little kid. Edit: Incredible lyrics for sure, and those dueling guitars at the end... As to the lines about the wine, I always took that as: "there are some things you can never get back."

[@stratfanstl]

Let's see how long this video remains up... (Eagles are THE pre-eminent blocker for DMCA.)

[@shawnoutcelt]

O. M. G.... you're right on! That's how they felt. The woman is the siren of success. Thank you for seeing the genius of the writing both lyrically and musically. Quickest subscribe I've ever hit. Bravo!

[@Jdwdogg]

Wow man, I am 35 years old and I've been jamming to this song since i can remember and i have never heard anyone break it down like this! You have gained a follower for sure!!

[@hilarytoffler5636]

Dude! I was at the Largo MD concert. It was EPIC.... Smelled a little bit like nah ... It smelled allot like weed. If you look closely at the intro and count 25 rows back...... You'll see my lighter! One of the best concerts. . Except for being at Woodstock. That was the ultimate! Before you get anything twisted... I am an old hippie who never changed. The world changed and we lost something precious when concerts and bands like this are rare. Happy New Year my friend and keep up the good work.

[@1mobetter99]

Brilliant analysis of one of my avoirite songs, and one of my all-time favourite bands. I was blessed to grow up with beautiful, amazing music (60s and 70s). So glad I found your channel. Instant, new subscriber.

[@richardpierce7819]

Thats the great thing about music it means different things to everyone.

[@glassontherocks]

The song was taken from an old Twilight Zone episode never aired on TV (Due to the content for that time.) It was called "The Hollywood Tower Hotel"

[@biggie9817]

Brilliant analysis, I enjoyed listening to your reaction

[@bjcee1108]

Once again, there is a live version of this on YT, very worth watching. This band was just full of talent.

[@timshelton8535]

Felder and Walsh’s solo at the end and Alex Lifeson is why I started playing guitar!!!

[@hlawrencepowell]

Imagine being in Grade 12 -- a teen -- when this song was released in 1977. We had so many great songs being released almost daily.

[@PMed]

Great analysis. We went through this in my 9th grade English class. It tracked with your thoughts

[@patrickbittel6853]

One of the greatest songs of all time. I love your analysis.

[@timneale5657]

Very thoughtful analysis, nicely done sir!

[@jameshowland7393]

Song written by Felder, and Felder and Walsh are heard in the duet solo at the end.

[@marianclough8577]

Wow..great interpretation. This is so much more than a song.

[@johnckelly88]

You gotta watch it live. The version from 76 is great

[@eddiejohnson5370]

This sing has a soul feel to it it's brilliant

[@jeffridgeway7474]

46 and 2 is actually a perfect song to follow this with for a variety of reasons

[@aguyandaguitar3366]

You provide great analysis, thank you. Your genuine amazement at hearing these 50 year old songs is like the Timothy Busfield character in Field of Dreams who at first couldn't see the baseball players, then suddenly could. "Do not sell this farm, Ray!" LOL.

[@toddalderson7050]

Brilliant Brilliant Brilliant song writing. Utterly genius.

[@Pepeekeo808]

Thank you for first listening the original, studio version.