10 Song Meanings Fans Can't Accept
3. "Hotel California" Is Not Satanic
Out of all the classic rock songs to come out of the 70's, "Hotel California" almost needs to be in a separate category unto itself. With the haunting guitar melody and dual ending solo, the song is the absolute peak of the Eagles' career and one of the best lyrics Glenn Frey and Don Henley have ever penned. Even so, some people look a little too deep into things...
When peeling back the layers of the song, it seems to have an overarching theme of a man lost in the California Dream, which is personified in the titular hotel. However, most fans have had more occultist tendencies when delving deeper into the lyrics. With accusations of backwards subliminal messages and more disturbing imagery on the back cover, may seem to believe that this song is about the band's ongoing practices of Satanism.
Though Henley has pointed out that these accusations are false, he has also not been willing to discuss the true meaning behind the lyrics. When pressed about the actual inspiration, Henley says how it is merely a journey from innocence to experience, leaving it open for fans to fill in the gaps. Even if Henley has given permission for different interpretations, fans still will not let go of the band's supposed Satanic leanings.