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Meaning of Hotel California?

I am thinking about writing a college English paper on the meaning of the Eagles hit "Hotel California." Some songs are fairly straight forward and are easy to decipher their true meaning. What is Hotel California's? I think it concerns the addictions that people face in California/Hollywood. Others I have spoke to say that it refers to the decline of Rock N' Roll in the late '60's. I guess that anyone can have their own interpretation as to what the song means. It is one of the best songs ever. The Eagles are one of the greatest groups to ever play. BTW, if anyone hasn't heard their latest album "Long Road Out of Eden" go check it out. Disc one is great!! Not so good on the second disc however.

Public Comments

1. I think it's about drug and alcohol abuse by people in Hollywood who live fast lives. And BTW, it's one of the best rock songs ever written! I love the Eagles.
2. This seems cool: http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=1121 Extract only: This is about materialism and excess. California is used as the setting, but it could relate to anywhere in America. Don Henley in the London Daily Mail November 9, 2007 said: "Some of the wilder interpretations of that song have been amazing. It was really about the excesses of American culture and certain girls we knew. But it was also about the uneasy balance between art and commerce."
3. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hotel+california it think its the third definition that talks about rehab