Hotel California Songs Ranked
“Hotel California” is the title track from the Eagles’ album of the same name and was released as a single in February 1977.[ Writing credits for the song are shared by Don Felder (music), Don Henley, and Glenn Frey (lyrics). Joe Walsh came up with the dual-guitar descending arpeggio part that ends the song: he didn’t, however, get writing credits. The Eagles’ original recording of the song features Henley singing the lead vocals and concludes with an extended section of electric guitar interplay between Felder and Walsh. Since its release, “Hotel California” has been covered by a number of artists and has become a part of international popular culture. Eagles have performed “Hotel California” 1,038 times live, the third most out of all their songs, after “Desperado” and “Take it Easy”. Here are all of Hotel California’s songs ranked.
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9. Wasted Time (Reprise)
“Don does ballads like no other. Raspy voiced yet hits the high notes with no problem… just beautiful, the “reprise” was kind of unnecessary, but not a big deal. Might have made more sense for the album.”
8. Pretty Maids All In a Row
“This one I’ve come to like more recently, and since watching “Hell Freezes Over”. It’s something that stands apart from Joe Walsh’s other songs with James Gang and solo (DO get James Gang, “Barnstorm” and his 70s era solo CDs). His unique voice singing over the Eagle’s harmonies makes the song even more touching.”
7. Victim of Love
“To me, it sounds like something that could have been on “On The Border” or “One of These Nights” or “The Long Run” with no problem and fits in snugly here. To me, this has all the elements of a classic Eagles song. Harmonies, melodies, solos.”
See more: The Eagles Albums Ranked
6. Try and Love Again
“Randy Meisner’s last recording with the guys before he left, having already severed ties with Bernie Leadon by then. Which is unfortunate considering their huge success with “Take It To The Limit” with Meisner singing. It’s a nice song that he left them with..”
5. The Last Resort
“The “album” has taken you on a journey and ends up here. It’s just a beautiful song from beginning to end, beautifully written, beautifully sung, one that could be written in 2004 and be relevant, and to me this is the crown jewel of “Hotel California”. If I could pick one song that is my favorite on here, it’s this one, and it’s the one that I listened to the least off of here before. It’s one you have to give it time to grow on you though.”
4. New Kid In Town
“New Kid In Town” is a brilliantly written pop song Glenn Frey’s only lead vocal on the whole thing, but still proved to be a big hit for the band. Has the “Peaceful Easy Feeling”, “Lyin Eyes” vibe to it, a song about hitting the big time.”
See more: The Eagles Songs Ranked
3. Wasted Time
” The most poignant moment of the album is almost certainly Henley’s own “Wasted Time”, inspired in large part by a real-life breakup with girlfriend Loree Rodkin. A jazzy ballad.
2. Life In the Fast Lane
“Henley’s in the back seat playing the observer to the young and out of control couple fighting, ready to crash and burn. You could put just about any tabloid couple in the music video in your head on this one. Classic guitar solo, an introduction to the (then) new Eagle Joe Walsh.”
1. Hotel California
“One of the great road songs and rock solos. It’s a song that’s taking you on a journey into this bizarre world. If you’ve seen a Fellini film, you see where Don Henley’s head is at here. Lots of word play going on (“she got the Mercedes Bends” for one) and ends off in a guitar duel between Don Felder and Joe Walsh. The only down side is that someone will sing this in a karaoke bar.”
