HOTEL CALIFORNIA: EAGLES
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Now this is one of my all time favourite song by this talented group of musicians who call themselves EAGLES.
The first time I heard this was way back in 1977. It was an instant hit. Over the years, nothing was heard of this group. They vanished like so many others.
Fast forward to year 1999 and I see them on MTV. Only this time there are no electric guitars, all the group guys look like gentlemen, hair cut short like you and me, wear specks, sit on stools and just play the song.
The opening sequence and flowing tunes from the guitars hold me in a trance. Not a clue what is to come. Then.........suddenly I realise ’’IT IS HOTEL CALIFORNIA!’’
Oh what a hugh difference from the old heavy metal style of playing the guitars. Only the vocals are the same, no change. This is not a remix, but probably something like MTV UNPLUGGED.
I learn so much from songs. Much more than from books.
THE SONG AND WHAT SOME WORDS DO TO ME
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The song is about a sinful hotel, Hotel California, located on a highway, where a solitary traveller takes a halt and comes to grief.
Some of the lines that haunt me to this day and why....
’’ There she stood in the door way, I heard the mission bell, and I was thinking to myself , this could be HEAVEN OR THIS COULD BE HELL’’
Comments: Hmmm....the warning signal was there....but the guy goes in anyway. To indulge in pleasures of life, ahhhh heavenly....When temptation comes you give right in!
’’Her name is Tiffany Twisted, she got a Mercedes Benz, she got a lot of pretty pretty boys, who she calls friends, how they dance in the courtyard sweet summer sweat, SOME DANCE TO REMEMBER SOME DANCE TO FORGET!’’
Comments: : How very true, don’t we all live in a deluded world of nashaaa? Ghalib ....are you listening?
’’Mirrors on the CEILING, CHAMPAGNE on ice.......’’:
Comment: What imagination, what vision!! Imagine the heavenly bliss of sleeping on a hugh bed with a beautiful sinful woman , sipping champagne, and looking up at the mirrored ceiling! Wow!! Dil khush!
. But then listen!
’’She said, ’ We are all PRISONERS here of our own device’ ’’
Comment: These are the most LOADED words in the entire song. Figure out for yourself.
’’Last thing I remember, I was running for the door.....Relax said the watchman..You can check in any time you like but YOU CAN NEVER LEAVE!!!!’’:
Once you enter the world of sin...it’s a one way street! Jiyoooooo aur maro.
The final two minutes of the number is pure strings, superbly played by the Lead and the Rhythym guys. Amazing...just magnificent!
CONCLUSION
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I rate this song at par with John Lennon’s ’’IMAGINE’’: They all teach us so much in just 3 minutes flat!
Listen to both the old and the new version. Then get back to me.
Then let’s all go to the beach after dark, light a fire, drink great wines and play the Guitar and sing great songs together....like this....
’’Welcome to the Hotel California,
Such a lovely place, such a lovely face.
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of the year, anytime of the year, you can find it here!’’
Jiyooo,
Mariner2
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