this is just a couple of peoples opinion on what the song means:
Ever since I first heard this song I was intrigued, and many times I have gone in search of it's true meaning. When I listened to the lyrics initially I thought of a hotel which sexually serviced males, but then I thought only certain aspects of the song fitted in with that interprestation. Many other thoughts as mentioned by others on this site such as drugs and rehab, falling in love, cancer etc, have come to mind. But inevitably, I don't think there is really one way to interpret this masterpiece of music. As Henly suggests the meaning is broard and was not meant to be broken down and defined into one category. Each person can interpret the sory behind "Hotel California" in their own personal way. I believe it is just a metaphorical explanation of 'life', its positive and negative aspects, its highs and lows, its smoke and mirrors, its ecstasy and seduction and the unescapable notion that it could be heaven or it could be hell - "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave!"
- andrea, Ayr, Australia
This song is about California State Prison and an inmate attitude toward incarceration--"you can check out any time you like(as in DIE)but you can never leave". Another Eagles song about state prison is On The Border , where the inmate is using a telephone close to the perimeter fence an the gaurd monitoring the call says"never mind your name,just give us you number",as in prison number.I'm not positive but I'll bet Don Hendly or another one of theEagles did so time in the Penn.
- David, Paso Robles, CA
what is your opinion?
