Talk:Hotel California

Another theory is that, like in other popular songs, California (or in this case the "Hotel California") represents death.

Huh? Jrincayc 02:42, 29 Oct 2004 (UTC)

I second that "Huh." I want to know in what other popular songs California represents death. 06:66, 13 Feb 2005 (UTC)

I don't know that California represents death in other songs or even this song, but The Hotel California seems to me to be a logical allegory for death: "...You can check in anytime you want, but you can never leave..." Drugs make sense for this too, however. --CannotResolveSymbol^T 04:52, 12 October 2005 (UTC)

I suggest calling this an allegory rather than a metaphor. Any seconds? Theaterfreak64 06:57, Feb 18, 2005 (UTC)

CannotResolveSymbol, I think the song actually goes "..You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave..." I always thought it was about a brothel, and everyone I spoke to agreed. I am surprised to find absolutely nothing about this idea here. Carter Somerville 05:02, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

Reggae cover

I have downloaded a song that purports to be a Bob Marley cover of "Hotel California", and which does rather sound like his voice, though not really his style. Can anyone confirm that he has covered the song? Anybody know of any reggae covers by somebody who could be mistaken for Bob Marley? Tuf-Kat 05:06, Jun 16, 2005 (UTC)

YES YOU ARE ALMOST RIGHT IT IS IN FACT ZIGGY MARLEY COVERING THE SONG HOTEL CALIFORNIA. NOTICE THE SUBTLENESS IN HIS VOICE AS WITH HIS FATHERS.ALSO IT WAS IN A WOODSTOCK ARTICLE. LELLOW@AOL.COM

LELLOW@AOL.COM ---

I see that you did some research in your answer below...

"(UTC)YES YOU ARE ALMOST RIGHT IT IS IN FACT ZIGGY MARLEY COVERING THE SONG HOTEL CALIFORNIA. NOTICE THE SUBTLENESS IN HIS VOICE AS WITH HIS FATHERS.ALSO IT WAS IN A WOODSTOCK ARTICLE. LELLOW@AOL.COM" However, I also googled and found the page you are referring to. No where in the page could I find a direct statement that Ziggy Marley covered this song. Did I miss something? I am most concerned because if you google "Ziggy Marley Hotel California" the google summary returns..

"Ziggy Marley led a sprawling 14-piece band, the Melody Makers, ... As Henley sang in "Hotel California, "We haven't had that spirit here since 1969. ..."

So did you post your answer based on the summary from google? If so I am not sure this is 100% proof that it was Ziggy Marley that did this song (although I will say it is compelling evidence). bh

(moved people's comments around to make this easier to read) I forgot that I had asked this question. I have done some more research and decided it was more likely Majek Fashek -- unfortunately I don't remember what gave me that idea. I have to say it doesn't really sound like Ziggy, but I don't listen to a whole lot of him. Tuf-Kat 05:06, 18 January 2006 (UTC)

See also

See also "Hotel Wikipedia". :^) – Minh Nguyễn (talk, contribs, blog) 05:15, 3 November 2005 (UTC)

some doubts

I could agree with both theories, the one about the drug addiction's metafor and the one about the brothel, despite, in my opinion the second one is too obvious. Anyway, I'd like too know the meaning of a part of the song, which I think would help...

"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"

What do mean "the beast" and "our own device" in this context?

See Also http://www.songmeanings.net/lyric.php?lid=4793