Fact Finder - Music

Fact
The 'Hotel California' Mystery
Category
Music
Subcategory
Hit Songs
Country
United States
Description
The Eagles' 'Hotel California' is one of the most analyzed songs in rock history. While fans have speculated it's about a real hotel, a mental asylum, or even Satanism, Don Henley has stated it is a metaphor for the 'loss of innocence' and the hedonism of the 1970s California music scene. The song is famous for its extended dual-guitar solo between Don Felder and Joe Walsh, which took three days to record. The track won the Grammy for Record of the Year in 1978. Interestingly, the band didn't show up to accept the award because they were watching the ceremony on TV at a rehearsal and didn't think they would win. The album of the same name has sold over 32 million copies, making it one of the best-selling records of all time.