Hotel California Poem Analysis

Improved Essays
As a child I recall hearing this song too many time too count. I never thought of this more than just another song. As I've grown up I've realized that it is much more than just that. The song “Hotel California” was written by the eagles in 1976. This song is rich with symbolism and abstract ideas. The song tells a story of a lonely traveler, after a long journey he or she happens upon the Hotel California. They are warmly welcomed and the traveler tells the story as it happens in real time. I believe this song tells a tale of seeking fame, fortune and all the other things are associated with those things. Eventually becoming disenchanted and wanting to return to the normalcy of private life. This song speaks directly to the dangers of stardom …show more content…
The music for “Hotel California” is written in the basic seven cord arrangement allowing for both electric and acoustic guitars to form solo riffs. The guitars play together from the beginning forming almost a reggae style beat. The instrumentals behind “Hotel California” allows the listener to visualize and become more aware of the events as the story unfolds. The beginning of “Hotel California” has only two guitars playing before the lyrics or other instruments begin. This establishes the mood for the song by giving mellow acoustic guitar riffs with an electric guitar accompaniment. This part of the song could refer to the very beginning on the Eagles trip to California. About one minute into the song, the bassist joins in signaling the start of the lyrics. This is very symbolic of the travelers start of the journey. Long drawn out guitar solos appear throughout the song to show the passage of time and events. Two minutes prior to the sound being over the most famous musical piece is performed by the electric guitar. This guitar solo helps to emphasize and show us the events of the song. With a powerful start and many chord changes the music itself is very symbolic of the many up and downs faced throughout the

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    PART ONE: POETIC DEVICES & FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE Metaphor 1:Her mind is Tiffany-twisted During the second verse, Don Henley sings the line “Her mind is Tiffany-twisted”. This is a metaphor as The Eagles are comparing this girls mind to Tiffany Jewelry Store without using like or as. They compare the girl's mind to the jewellery store because the narrator notes that this girl is pretty, rich and likes to be glamorous.…

    • 1025 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Let It Snow Poem Analysis

    • 690 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Paragraph 2-Song-I wanna rock and roll all night The reason I picked this song is kind of silly. I picked it because they are ready to rock and roll and go fight.…

    • 690 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    There is a disconnect between real life and what we see in the movies and television about Hawaii. Whether it’s the people, places or things that attracts us to its concept, many inevitably end up not satisfying their curiosity. Alison Luterman’s poem “ On Not lying to Hawaii” uses various poetic devices and strategies to critique modern life that is focused on the ideal. There is a constant stream of examples that describe lives that seek fulfillment.…

    • 980 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    It is hinted that the Natives are ordered to move out West, but the threat of war is obvious in this lyric. “Now as I rest my feet by this fire, those hands once warmed here I have retired them. I can breathe my own air, I can sleep more soundly.” With the white settlers adapting to their much sought-after homestead, resting by the fire, they selfishly reminisce that the Natives once did the same there before they forced them out. The settlers find time to rest after years of fighting off the Natives for land that is clearly their own.…

    • 1178 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The song also displays the use of “you” which is pushing the listener to go out and do something or trying to persuade them. This makes the song more dramatic and gives very assertive directions for the audience. The listener may feel as though it is now their duty to follow through with these commands due to the direction and emotion in the…

    • 1072 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Hotel Bone Poem Analysis

    • 1029 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Q. 1 Write about 3 lines for each of the following about the significance for Indigenous Land Rights in Australia: (a) “Terra nullius” Terra Nullius means that land without. When Captain Cook and his crew was in Australia , they decided the land was Terra Nullius. They acknowledge Indigenous people because of their primitive life. The High Court's Mabo judgement overturned the Terra Nullius fiction in 1982. (b) Protective legislation…

    • 1029 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Many of the lyrics refer to the loss of trust in modern America. We had been hit hard by the recession at the time and she describes a man in America who wanted a lot from life. He believes that he can make it in America and says that everyone will know his name. He describes getting everything he wanted, however when he sees how it is impossible he decides to give up his dream and wish he was born again. This entire song just describes the loss of hope in the American Dream.…

    • 802 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Hotel Pool Poem

    • 287 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Roland Barthes states that “Photography seems to me closer to the Theater, it is by way of a singular intermediary (and perhaps I am the only one who sees it): by way of Death” (page 31). In Kenneth Graves photograph, “Hotel Pool, Miami Beach, Florida” taken in 1980, you see the bottom half of a man and women. The man is pressed against the back of the women, pinning her against the wall of a pool. He is grabbing her vagina and pulling her body closer. This sexual scene is set between the curtains of a glass window meant for hotel guests to watch the on goings of the pool.…

    • 287 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    When one examines the field of fine arts, he is unlikely to find a category as mysterious, captivating, and expressive as music. Given the greatly varied psychological and physiological effects music has on individuals, it is apparent that composers must utilize a variety of complex techniques to stimulate our myriad of senses. Most simply, perhaps, is the usage of musical patterns that match the lyrics of a piece. For an early example, in Weelkes’ madrigal As Vesta Was from Latmos Hill Descending, when the text says “chase after” or “move quickly”, “…the music becomes fast… voices chase [each other].” (Wright 77).…

    • 1237 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    This song talks about the speaker who is abused by her boyfriend but she stands by him because she loves him. This is similar to when we find out that Mayella was abused by her father but still loves him because well, it’s her father. They both show unhealthy relationships and how bad things can be at home. The mood in both of this song and the book is desperate. They are both desperate for love and will do anything to stay by their family/man.…

    • 1027 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Reservation Blues Analysis

    • 1175 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Reservation Blues A common theme in both “If 6 was 9” and Jimi Hendrix Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie, is those perceived to be different are denounced by others around them. This is seen by Coyote Springs, a Spokane band originating from the Northwest. As Coyote Springs struggles to rise into stardom, they face many challenges. Faced with exotification and exploration of their own culture as well as alienation from their own tribe, the band continues to push forth and create music on their own accord.…

    • 1175 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The song is put together in a basic song form which is the Introduction, Verse 1, Chorus, Verse 2, Chorus, Bridge, Chorus, and the Outro (YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL). This song has two versions: the Pop and DH Orchestral version but the orchestral version allows the song to appeal differently to the audience than the pop version. The variety of instruments consists of pianos, and light drumming to create a simple effect. Then, the synthesized orchestra of strings creates a beautiful, melodic sound and articulates the simple chord structure of the percussion to go along with Del Rey’s soft, sweet, and powerful voice. The rhythm of the song varies throughout.…

    • 551 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Bruce Dawe was born on 15th February, 1930 in Fitzroy, Victoria. He is a renowned Australian poet who writes about ordinary people and their lives. His phenomenal 1968 poems, ‘Homecoming’ and ‘Drifters’ examine abiding human emotions such as loss of hope and loss of identity through the use of metaphors, personification and symbolism. ‘Homecoming’ is an anti-war poem written about the Vietnam War, which describes the process of collecting and processing the dead bodies, then shipping them home. It portrays a sense of moral outrage at the futile and dehumanizing war.…

    • 1088 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Rush Hour Multicultural

    • 1188 Words
    • 5 Pages

    For example, Chinese Consul’s daughter singing to Mariah Carey’s Fantasy, Lee turn on the radio and listening to Beach boys song, or Lee and Carter dancing to song called “What is it good for.” Even though the lyrics tell all sorts of different stories, one common thing among these songs is that it is all the music is upbeat and gives happy vibes when listening to it. Therefore, this film gives the impression that California is very bright, happy and upbeat place to…

    • 1188 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The song talks about how those states treat people unequally and how difficult it was for people to live with the feeling that they are not safe from the white people. As Nina…

    • 1384 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays