Don Henley Reveals What The Eagles ‘Hotel California’ Was Really About

Don Henley from The Eagles revealed the inspiration behind their ‘70s album Hotel California during a 2016 interview with Rolling Stones. Although it was an enjoyable classic for rock fans, the album had a much deeper meaning for the bandmates and the American reality.

Henley also spoke about the cultural decline that happened between the ‘60s and ‘70s, although from a varying perspective, the entertainment industry may have undergone improvement. Most of the classic sounds of both ages lasted well into the early ‘80s. However, Henley’s thoughts may have been valid on a personal level.

Don Henley says ‘60s peace and love fading away

Henley revealed that Hotel California was about the ‘70s and how it marked the fading away of the message of peace, love, and understanding from the previous decade. He added that the album addressed vices such as corruption, the dark side of fame, capitalism, and the American dream.

Henley and his bandmates believed that the ‘70s marked the loss of communal spirit as people began to prioritize work over relationships and illusion over reality. Regardless of the sad theme behind the song, Henley and the rest of the group created Hotel California out of ecstasy and productivity.

Were values from the ‘60s really lost?

Contrary to Henley’s perspective of the ‘70s, there was not much of a cultural change between then and the ‘60s. Peace-promoting movements such as new age spirituality from the hippie era became mainstream in 1971, impacting belief systems until today.

The ‘60s also saw music like “All You Need Is Love,” “If I Can Dream” by Elvis Presley, and “Give Peace a Chance” thrive well into the ‘70s, birthing similar themes like “Imagine” and “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)” from members of the Fab Four, plus the Five Stairsteps’ “O-o-h Child.”