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Eagles — Hotel California (live acoustic)
Album: Hell Freezes Over
Avg rating:
7.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3081









Released: 1994
Length: 6:56
Plays (last 30 days): 0
On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night
There she stood in the doorway;
I heard the mission bell,
And I was thinking to myself,
'This could be Heaven or this could be Hell'
Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor,
I thought I heard them say...

Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of year, you can find in here

Her mind is Tiffany-twisted, she got the Mercedes-benz
She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys, that she calls friends
How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat.
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget

So I called up the Captain,
'Please bring me my wine'
He said, 'We haven't had that spirit here since nineteen sixty-nine'
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
Such a lovely place
Such a lovely face
we're livin' it up at the Hotel California
What a nice surprise, bring your alibis

Mirrors on the ceiling,
The 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 the feast
The 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 any time you like,
but you can never leave!
Comments (477)add comment
 Lyndont wrote:

Radio Paradise is a radio station (clue in the name). By definition you will not like every track. If you only want to hear everything you like, only play your own cd’s and vinyl! Bill does a fantastic job of playing mainly things we all like as listeners. I hadn’t heard this version before and liked it. Don’t like the original much but see above.




Agreed!  I'll just point out the 'My Favourites' channel option where you'll never hear a song you don't like.
 cara.lindsell wrote:


Exactly!  I've heard SO much new music modern and old that I never heard before!.  I do find when I choose a certain Mix -- usually "Mellow Mix", all the music enhances my day.
These two music afficionados have my heartfelt gratitude for proving that people will support a channel that entertains with excellent quality (sound and visuals), NO commercials, and that plows back the income from their listeners into improving the quality.  -- Ex-pat from D.C. in Brighton, England.



Nice to hear from another Brightonian Cara. I 'emigrated' from Liverpool 34 years ago, and still feel like I'm on holiday! What a great place Brighton (UK) is.
 Ben_Smedley wrote:

finally worked out what colitas are!had to google it.....dumb aussie!



I'm a Yank and I had to google it after reading your post. Don't feel bad! 

Love the Gipsy Kings version of this...
 Ben_Smedley wrote:

finally worked out what colitas are!had to google it.....dumb aussie!



me too - dumb kiwi over here...
 Ben_Smedley wrote:

finally worked out what colitas are!had to google it.....dumb aussie!


love love love the guitar work in this version. is it joe?
finally worked out what colitas are!had to google it.....dumb aussie!
THIS is how this song goes. Absolute magic.
(tongue in cheek),
Not a bad cover of the Gypsy Kings...
 Lyndont wrote:

Radio Paradise is a radio station (clue in the name). By definition you will not like every track. If you only want to hear everything you like, only play your own cd’s and vinyl! Bill does a fantastic job of playing mainly things we all like as listeners. I hadn’t heard this version before and liked it. Don’t like the original much but see above.




Or just  rate songs by your taste and play favorites, lot of options here on RP.
Misheard lyrics: for my entire life: "her mind is definitely twisted". Still love the song!
 Dinges,_the_Dude wrote:

this version is even better than the studioversion



WAY better, Joe Walsh on the acoustic guitar is superb. 10.
Hotel California = a thinly disguised reference to Radio Paradise
 debbiel wrote:
First time I saw them was the Hell Freezes Over Tour, they started the concert with this - we were in the 4th row on the floor,  it felt very intimate in a crowd of 20,000. 
Top 3 concerts I have ever seen, and I have been to many since 1971.   



And how many in 1969?


Perhaps the Wiki entry pertains to the original Eagles,  not theses players?
I had to change my Rating...To a 9!!!!!!...This soooo damn good!!!!!
 Gareth wrote:

Personally, I can't hear this song without it bringing to mind the thousand times I've heard it on pablum-ridden MOR radio shows that are background to dental drilling. Don't play this any more. It's had its day. Put it to rest.



Bill is still playing this 20 years after this comment.  you go Bill!!!  
Amazing how close they get to the studio vocals.  Not usually the case with live versions. 
Never heard this before. A great track. Will check out the album. 

Is that Ron Burgundy on flute? :) 
First time I saw them was the Hell Freezes Over Tour, they started the concert with this - we were in the 4th row on the floor,  it felt very intimate in a crowd of 20,000. 
Top 3 concerts I have ever seen, and I have been to many since 1971.   
Love It 🥰 thanks B&R! 20/10
Poor Propayne - it’s your loss my friend! Maybe take a chill pill and float mate? 🧡
this version is even better than the studioversion
 Propayne wrote:


Biscobret wrote:I hate to be a hater, but I can honestly say that I can go the rest of my life without hearing a single Eagles song ever again.


aside from "Take It Easy", I feel the same way.


and On The Border

 
 

And Bitter Creek - great song off Desperado, never got any radio play, so that's a good thing.
 Actuel wrote:
I just can't stand this song anymore..next !
 
Agree. Mainly this live one. Borderline boring...
I just can't stand this song anymore..next !
Original gets a 7-8. This gets a 5. It's, I don't know, meh?
 Steely_D wrote:
It's tough because this is, no matter what The Dude says, a great song. But not there's some sort of ostracism for appreciating a great tune if it's by the fuckin Eagles, man.

Regardless - this is a great song. (This performance, meh, but the studio version - iconic.)
 
My dislike or disinterest for The Eagles' music was never a matter of avoiding being ostracized - in fact it was the opposite in the 1970s: only "weirdos" didn't like The Eagles and were mocked for it.  Anyhow, other than a few songs, I didn't like much of anything by The Eagles long before the Coen brothers started making films.
 Tomasni wrote:
Long Live                                                                                                  Radio Paradise
My rating is:                                                                                          9-OUTSTANDING
 

My rating is 10+.  I cannot fault it.
 cely wrote:
I cannot rate this song.  It's obviously excellent, both music and lyrics, but whatever is wrong with me I just don't like it.  Neither music nor lyrics.  
 

Yes, they set out and did accomplish just writing hit songs, but everything you say is right and I don't much care for it either.
 Spuck wrote:
Actually, I don't want to hear any more Eagles for a long time. So much of their stuff is very good but clearly over-played. This is a great tune but probably the most over-played of all. I don't want to hear them do it but I do like playing it when I get together with other musicians (casually, that is). Seems everyone knows it.

Great to hear another version. 

On my phone I can click on PSD (Play Something Diffferent) for immediate response -- on my laptop click on the icon for end-of-song.  They thought of everything!
 Lyndont wrote:
Radio Paradise is a radio station (clue in the name). By definition you will not like every track. If you only want to hear everything you like, only play your own cd’s and vinyl! Bill does a fantastic job of playing mainly things we all like as listeners. I hadn’t heard this version before and liked it. Don’t like the original much but see above.
 
Strongly agree!  I find dozens of songs I've never heard before but absolutely love -- modern and old, from both unknown & familiar artists -- and I've been listening to music for 68 years. 
Actually, I don't want to hear any more Eagles for a long time. So much of their stuff is very good but clearly over-played. This is a great tune but probably the most over-played of all. I don't want to hear them do it but I do like playing it when I get together with other musicians (casually, that is). Seems everyone knows it.

Great to hear another version.
I cannot rate this song.  It's obviously excellent, both music and lyrics, but whatever is wrong with me I just don't like it.  Neither music nor lyrics.  
 dwhayslett wrote:

I guess that depends on how seriously one takes a fictional character's opinion.
 

The Dude abides. His opinions are always valid.
 annds wrote:
I like Eagles a lot, but just have never, never liked this song.  It doesn't help that it is overplayed on classic rock radio.  Bleh.  
 
Heh. It's the only Eagles song I do like. It is overplayed, and it is basically as smarmy and self-serious as the rest of their work, but I like the melody, arrangement and the poetry in the lyrics.


I like Eagles a lot, but just have never, never liked this song.  It doesn't help that it is overplayed on classic rock radio.  Bleh.  
 Steely_D wrote:
It's tough because this is, no matter what The Dude says, a great song. But not there's some sort of ostracism for appreciating a great tune if it's by the fuckin Eagles, man.
 
I guess that depends on how seriously one takes a fictional character's opinion.
Desert island song, for sure.
 Lyndont wrote:
Radio Paradise is a radio station (clue in the name). By definition you will not like every track. If you only want to hear everything you like, only play your own cd’s and vinyl! Bill does a fantastic job of playing mainly things we all like as listeners. I hadn’t heard this version before and liked it. Don’t like the original much but see above.
 

Exactly!  I've heard SO much new music modern and old that I never heard before!.  I do find when I choose a certain Mix -- usually "Mellow Mix", all the music enhances my day.
These two music afficionados have my heartfelt gratitude for proving that people will support a channel that entertains with excellent quality (sound and visuals), NO commercials, and that plows back the income from their listeners into improving the quality.  -- Ex-pat from D.C. in Brighton, England.
 KevinM wrote:
This is one of those songs that I never get tired of hearing.
 
This is one of those songs that is beyond done-to-death. I don't really care for the Eagles, but know they have some awesome deep tracks - gimmesommathat!
 KevinM wrote:
This is one of those songs that I never get tired of hearing.
 
I agree  
It's tough because this is, no matter what The Dude says, a great song. But not there's some sort of ostracism for appreciating a great tune if it's by the fuckin Eagles, man.

Regardless - this is a great song. (This performance, meh, but the studio version - iconic.)
Is that string bass or an electric bass I hear?
 scottbolten wrote:

Better than Joni Mitchel
 
Now you be careful and respectful there young man.  
 Peter_K wrote:
Help, grab the barf bag!  Radio Paradise has turned into a temporary hell!  I'll have to turn it off...
 
Better than Joni Mitchel
You all know what colitas means, yes? Okay, just checking.
An exceptional song with a feature thats make it timeless. Even when it's heard for ages everywhere and all around - it's still magic 
The neat difference what makes RP also in this case special:
instead the original this version whit its dreamy intro is chosen...
 freddyfender wrote:
 

 PopKombo wrote:
Possibly the best rock song ever written.

johnjconn wrote:


Right behind "Kung Fu Fighting" and "Feelings"



Had to repost this comment from johnjconn.  Nice!
 
Ha! That made me laugh out loud.
Radio Paradise is a radio station (clue in the name). By definition you will not like every track. If you only want to hear everything you like, only play your own cd’s and vinyl! Bill does a fantastic job of playing mainly things we all like as listeners. I hadn’t heard this version before and liked it. Don’t like the original much but see above.
 

 PopKombo wrote:
Possibly the best rock song ever written.

johnjconn wrote:


Right behind "Kung Fu Fighting" and "Feelings"



Had to repost this comment from johnjconn.  Nice!
That rug really pulled the room together.
 OceanBlue wrote:
While I truly hate this song with every fiber of my being, I feel obliged to rate a 7 in honor of the recent passing. RIP.

 
Nice show of class given recent events OceanBlue.  Too bad certain others have far less class today.  H8 takes no vacation, I suppose.
 Biscobret wrote:
I hate to be a hater, but I can honestly say that I can go the rest of my life without hearing a single Eagles song ever again.

 
aside from "Take It Easy", I feel the same way.

 
and On The Border
 bc wrote:



 

From the Wikipedia entry of The Big Lebowski:


Burnett was able to secure the rights to the songs by Kenny Rogers and the Gipsy Kings and also added tracks by Captain BeefheartMoondog and the rights to a relatively obscure Bob Dylan song called "The Man in Me". However, he had a tough time securing the rights to Townes Van Zandt's cover of the Rolling Stones' "Dead Flowers", which plays over the film's closing credits. Former Stones manager Allen Klein owned the rights to the song and wanted $150,000 for it. Burnett convinced Klein to watch an early cut of the film and remembers, "It got to the part where the Dude says, 'I hate the fuckin' Eagles, man!' Klein stands up and says, 'That's it, you can have the song!' That was beautiful."


While I truly hate this song with every fiber of my being, I feel obliged to rate a 7 in honor of the recent passing. RIP.
My prayers for that kind of spirit.
I am blasting this song right now, in my office! The is my very favorite version and am so sad to hear of Glenn Frey's passing. It's been a rough month for the world of music! :(
This is a nice version but it is better not to see the video/dvd.
The arrogance is almost touchable. 
RIP Mr Frey
Seen them live and what a night as Paul carrick was support act  so just added to the evening of good tunes .took my gran as it was her first ever stadium gig at tender age of 70 and she was blown away by it .
now no stopping her now,,,!!!!! 
 
Bite me if you want, but I can't see any problem here.  Classic to my ears.
 MassivRuss wrote:
I love this song.  

And I agree with every opinion that The Eagles are trite, saccharin masters of crap. And Henley is a self absorbed buffoon, the musical equivalent of Tom Cruise, a fool convinced of his own transcendent genius.

I love this song, on its own merits, despite the vacuous pretense of its authors.

This arrangement is fucking gorgeous enough to convert any hater. 

Thank you.  
 
Agreed. This arrangement is magic {#Clap}

I love this song.  

And I agree with every opinion that The Eagles are trite, saccharin masters of crap. And Henley is a self absorbed buffoon, the musical equivalent of Tom Cruise, a fool convinced of his own transcendent genius.

I love this song, on its own merits, despite the vacuous pretense of its authors.

This arrangement is fucking gorgeous enough to convert any hater. 

Thank you.  
They can try and check out from playing this song every night, but they can never leave.
I could go the rest of life without hearing thi...oh screw it. It's a rubbery booger on the thumb of the eternal music landscape. This and 'Don't Stop Believing' will sadly never ever go away.
I hate to be a hater, but I can honestly say that I can go the rest of my life without hearing a single Eagles song ever again.

 
aside from "Take It Easy", I feel the same way.
 rockpommel16 wrote:

 

 oldsaxon wrote:

and Seven Bridges Road...that and Take it easy......and Desperado.....yeah....those ones...

 
I really hate this song... the worst thing is that that I have gone twice to PSD, get a different song and then it comes back to "hotel california" that refuses to finish!!! long as hell!!
Love this song. Love this version. Love this band. Saw them in concert this summer at Summerfest in Milwaukee -- great show! And, of course, they performed Hotel California as an encore (1 of 4 encore songs). {#Sunny}
 phlattop wrote:
zllama wrote:
I hate to be a hater, but I can honestly say that I can go the rest of my life without hearing a single Eagles song ever again.

 
aside from "Take It Easy", I feel the same way.

 
and Seven Bridges Road...that and Take it easy......and Desperado.....yeah....those ones...
Unacceptable
Don't like the Eagles, really don't like Don Henley, but I just can't help loving this song.
11!
"Hell Freezes Over"    I get it!  Hyuk, hyuk, hyuk.
zllama wrote:
I hate to be a hater, but I can honestly say that I can go the rest of my life without hearing a single Eagles song ever again.

 
aside from "Take It Easy", I feel the same way.
 zllama wrote:
I hate to be a hater, but I can honestly say that I can go the rest of my life without hearing a single Eagles song ever again.

 
Even Desperado?
:) thx Dj.
Yes, strangely enough, an acoustic guitar does not make this song less overplayed.
 philipr wrote:

Twice a month that'ok for me !

 
Could be twice a day ! {#Angel}
I hate to be a hater, but I can honestly say that I can go the rest of my life without hearing a single Eagles song ever again.
Goddammit, Cannonball ended and this stinker is still playing! *slam the PSD again* and The Church. Awesome.
 rpdevotee wrote:
OVERPLAYED!!!!
 {#Frustrated}

Years and years of this!
If I ever hear this song again--no matter which version--it will be WAY too soon!!

 
Twice a month that'ok for me !
I've had a rough night, and I hate the fucking Eagles, man
Breeders on the PSD! Oh Shiiiiiiiii!
OVERPLAYED!!!!
 {#Frustrated}

Years and years of this!
If I ever hear this song again--no matter which version--it will be WAY too soon!!
 jim1964 wrote:
pretty good version of a song that's been played to death, although I really like the way the Gipsy Kings cover it.
 

 
I love the way that guy just belts it. One of these days his spleen is going to shoot out of his mouth. 
 jim1964 wrote:
pretty good version of a song that's been played to death, although I really like the way the Gipsy Kings cover it.
 

 
Ahh, must be a Castro inspired plot to cross-subsidise those pesky folk in the mountains between France  & Spain.  Go Joe Walsh, love ya work. The smoker you are the player you get.
If I never hear this song again it'll be too soon.
It's no longer worth commenting on this song except to say that it makes me wish I had never heard it before.
Gosh darn KZEL. Overplayed this. Over and over and over and over and
Hey people. Tip you before it's too late: Yardbirds wit Heart Full Of Soul is under the PSD-button right now!
pretty good version of a song that's been played to death, although I really like the way the Gipsy Kings cover it.
 
 dwlangham wrote:
 {#Yell} Give it a rest already. Twice in a week? A song that does not lack for airplay everywhere else? Please.
 
But where are you listening that gives you this reaction? I go long months without hearing this. Maybe you should turn off the radio!
Upon initial bongo beats, I had no idea what this was...
I consulted the playlist to check out the artist of the last song- Mumford & Sons, when I saw that this was Hotel California, live and acoustic.
Wish I had waited just a few more seconds for the melody to reveal itself bc it would have been an even sweeter surprise.
This is almost godlike.  Makes me wish I was there.
You have to hit PSD twice to make this go away. I think I had every note and lyric memorized by the time I was 13. Now, it's just simply DONE.
Not bad, but The Dude is not pleased. 
I'm pretty amazed about how this cut is polarizing the commentary.  I'm on the positive side, but there are a lot of 1's.
 helgigermany wrote:

best version for me!
 

DITTO Crawled all the way to London see them on their tour ... Grab that comment all you Haters ...
 {#Yell} Give it a rest already. Twice in a week? A song that does not lack for airplay everywhere else? Please.
 dwlangham wrote:
What? Hell freezes over, all right, hearing this on RP. For fuck's sake.
 
I was looking through the comments and found my own words echoing what I was thinking as this song was getting started. For fuck's sake already.

(Oh, and this came on after FUCKING MUMFUCK AND SONS. Not a sequence.)
Have to agree the Eagles are pretty boring, Hotel California was better because of Joe Walsh.
 genell wrote:
Hotel California? Seriously?
I just get pictures of a tragic guy with a guitar and a drum machine at the local beer joint.
 
         {#Roflol}{#Roflol}{#Roflol} {#Roflol}
I did not like it 3O yrs ago, and I still dont.
 kurt_from_kanada wrote:


No   .No.
 

No.   No.   No.   Not ever.
 kurt_from_kanada wrote:


No.
 

No   .No.
 oldsaxon wrote:
One day, maybe, Bill will play the original cut...wouldn't that be nice? Huh? Wouldn't it?
 

No.
Nice to hear this one at 3am while feeding my baby. Thanks Bill! :)
I was always glad that the Eagles came out with this song as it's lame, tired and boring style of music caused a backlash that created PUNK. They did us all a big favour.
Hotel California? Seriously?
I just get pictures of a tragic guy with a guitar and a drum machine at the local beer joint.
 Dinges,_the_Dude wrote:
Awsome version!
 
best version for me!
The orginal version of this song is one of only a couple of songs I hate.  (probably because it was so over played)  But I love this version.
One day, maybe, Bill will play the original cut...wouldn't that be nice? Huh? Wouldn't it?
Too soon. Maybe in another 20 years. :)
I find the audience applause at the beginning to be rather humorous. Did they seriously not realize that the gentle acoustic guitar generally following the Hotel California chord progression wasn't leading the way to. . .Hotel California?
overplayed. and the only eagles song the radios play. great song but so tired of it now
What? Hell freezes over, all right, hearing this on RP. For fuck's sake.
Awsome version!
I love Radio Paradise for the variety and exposure to songs and artists I might not otherwise hear.   However this song just sets my teeth on edge.
Jimmy Page's sunburst 1959 Gibson Les Paul, better known as his "Number 1" was originally owned by Joe Walsh and was sold to Page in 1969
Aside from that, I've had drinks at the original "Hotel California". One of the seven which claim to be the inspiration for the Album name, that is.
 Toke wrote:


Well spoken Andy_B too many negatives I'm reading makes me wonder what the hell they are tuning in for, to knock and all time classic like this is just showing a very narrow appreciation of music. I call them pidgeon hole listeners and blinkered to boot.
 
Nope - not at all - I LOVE the variety here - that's why I listen - but this song?  Really?  I will admit that The Eagles penned some amazing tunes - Don Henly is a FANTASTIC songwriter - Hell, I'll listen to Boys of Summer, even as overplayed as that is - but if he's gonna play an Eagles tune, there are much better ones that are sorely UNDERPLAYED.  No pidgeon (or spell-check, apparantly) here.