Hotel California, The Eagles ~ Orig. Electric Guitar Version, Live 1996

Hotel California: Notes from Ken Adachi (posted Sep. 28, 2009)
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Hotel California by the Eagles has to be one of the most evocative tunes in the history of Rock and Roll. It was released in December of 1976. It went platinum within one week of its release, was number one by January 1977, and eventually sold 10 million copies. There is no way you can listen to that song just once and let it go at that. Assuming that music has any effect on you, most people feel compelled to play that song over and over again. Why?

While the lyrics are intriguing (and perhaps harboring a darker message for occult types), it's the cadence and chords employed that create the magnetic effect in my opinion. Of course, the playing is polished and carefully controlled to maximize the atmosphere, and Don Henley's voice and singing style couldn't fit the tune better. Anyone else singing that song could not achieve the same feeling and its effects upon the audience. So there's no debating the quality of the musicianship; it's top shelf, but what is it about that tune that makes it so haunting?

It's the Phrygian mode, and most people who go to rock concerts never heard of it, but they definitely react to it. .

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