Somebody tell me why "Hotel California" is the worst song ever written.

[Ron Green]

I certainly don't think it's the best, but THE WORST? How does it deserve that extreme honor? It's got interesting (for a pop song) chord changes, a nice faux reggae beat, and an allegorical story that tells some truth about California. Is it just because it got played so much? Jesus, y'all should have been around during "Proud Mary."

[skygazer]

1. Well, when compared to "Having My Baby"

it's worthy of Mozart.

[DancingBear]

4. Agreed, and when compared with "Honey" and "Watching Scotty Grow"

Hotel California is a masterpiece.

[DS1]

2. "Hey Mickey" beat it?

[we can do it]

3. Who Said It Was the Worst?

Just Curious.

[Ron Green]

13. It was mentioned a few times on a "Worst song of all time thread."

I don't think it's a great song, but there are some real stinkers out there.

[ForrestGump]

5. It isn't

But it seems trendy to say so.

Compared to the utter crap that dominates the airwaves now, and that has for the past decade or two, even the most pointless of the '70s Top-40 hits is a work of lyrical and musical art.

[EstimatedProphet]

6. It's about the only Eagles song I like

wouldn't say it's the worst song by any means

[Left Is Write]

7. I could happily do without "Proud Mary."

Hotel California - I don't mind it.

[Redstone]

8. Because it's ALL fake hooks and lame bullshit lyrics.

It's LAZY songwriting, which is unforgivable. Need any other reason?

Redstone

[CanuckAmok]

11. Bingo!

It's lazy, self-absorbed, lyrically pretentious, and it's TOO FUCKING LONG!!!

It's probably not the worst sont ever written, though.

I think "I Wanna Be a Cowboy" is the worst song ever written.

[anarch]

28. I dunno, I think "I wanna be a cowboy" may be disqualified,

as not conforming to the terms "song" and/or "written".

[Heidi]

18. But the _worst_?

Tim McGraw's little ditty is _much_ worse than "Hotel California." At least "Hotel Califonia" didn't hurt anyone or perpetuate untruthful racial stereotypes. :shrug:

[donheld]

9. Each to their own

[Zambero]

10. Too slick and overproduced

Every mid-70's L.A. studio cliche is evident. Homogenized vocals. Pretentious lyrics. Endlessly repetitive double-tacked guitar hooks. Musical spontaneity replaced by soul-less production formulas. Oh, and Don Henley on lead vocals. Guaranteed to generate maximum airplay and sell millions.

Neil Young would NEVER stoop so low!

[6000eliot]

12. I think it's a great song,

and it makes a strong statement about our love/hate relationship with CA.

[Taverner]

14. It's good, solid, well written pop

Like most of the Eagles. My only complaint is that it is played to death on terrestrial radio.

Now that I have Sirius, I get it only infrequently - and its usually the non-hits.

[leftofthedial]

15. can't be done

at least not honestly

[LynneSin]

16. Worst Song: Tie between "Mr Roboto" and "We Built this City"

Hotel California hardly comes close.

But I think there is some backlash against some of these 'Anthems' of the 70's that got overplayed and were always on top of the FM radio yearly countdowns. As a diehard Led Zeppelin fan I would surely rank Stairway to Heaven as one of the "Worst Songs Ever" because true Zep fans can't stand the song and know even Robert Plant hates it anymore. But outside of that it was a pretty amazing song.

[Taverner]

17. And Billy Dont be a Hero

[LynneSin]

19. I liked "Billy Don't be a Hero"

:cry:

You have no taste in music

:cry:

[Taverner]

20. GAH!

you....liked...that...song??

Next thing you're going to tell me is you think "No Quarter" is Zeps worst song!

[LynneSin]

21. I love "No Quarter" but I have to be in a strange funk to listen to it

:D

[Taverner]

22. Oh its good anytime for me

Especially the live versions from the Presence tour...

[LynneSin]

25. My New Year's Resolution is to find more Bootleg Led Zeppelin

I really want to expand my collection of some of the better Bootleg stuff out there. I like the version done during the Unledded tour but it makes me sad because that was a John Paul Jones song and the Unledded tour was only Plant & Page.

[Taverner]

27. Bit Torrent is your friend :)

But do a scour on the net for *.mp3 and Led Zeppelin.

You will find good things.

And look for shows on the Presence tour - pure jam that tour was...

[lizziegrace]

23. I like it

You can check out
Any time you like
But you can never leave

[Burma Jones]

24. It's the only Eagles Song I like

and I especially like the Gypsy Kings' version as featured in the Big Lebowski.......

[kwassa]

26. I like "Hotel California" as a guilty pleasure

It is a very well-constructed pop song, nice guitar work in the middle. I just have never been an Eagles fan, particularly of Don "The Ego" Henley, and all his fake angst.

[Ron Green]

29. A great line about Don Henley from Sandy Pinkard:

"He's got all his money tied up in cash."

:rofl: