Don Henley Thinks “Hotel California” Is Exactly Like 1 Led Zeppelin Classic

Although the Eagles and Led Zeppelin have distinct sounds, Don Henley drew an interesting comparison between the Eagles’ iconic song “Hotel California” and Led Zeppelin’s legendary track “Stairway to Heaven.” While the two songs may not seem similar at first, Henley pointed out that they share some important qualities.

In a 2017 interview with Rolling Stone, Henley reflected on the significance of Hotel California, saying, “It had the most impact of our studio albums. The song itself has become one of those songs like ‘Stairway to Heaven’ [laughs].” Though the album was released in December 1976, it didn’t really take over the radio waves until a few months later, in early 1977.

The Craftsmanship Behind “Hotel California”

Henley went on to discuss the effort that went into creating “Hotel California.” “Rather than perfectionism, I like to refer to it as craftsmanship,” he said. According to Henley, the guitar solos were meticulously crafted, with Don Felder and Joe Walsh spending days working on them. He also revealed that after recording the solos, he and producer Bill Szymczyk edited the parts before having the musicians relearn them for the final cut. This attention to detail paid off, as “Hotel California” became one of the most celebrated songs in rock history.

Why “Hotel California” and “Stairway to Heaven” Are Alike

Though Henley didn’t go into much detail about why he compared “Hotel California” to “Stairway to Heaven,” the similarities are undeniable. Both songs are signature tracks for their respective bands, feature longer-than-average run times for rock hits, and include mysterious, cryptic lyrics that have sparked endless debates. Both tracks are also commonly found on “greatest songs of all time” lists, solidifying their legacy.

Interestingly, both songs have also been linked to bizarre Satanic conspiracy theories. Some fans believe “Hotel California” is about the Church of Satan, given its eerie tone and references to California. However, during a 2019 interview with Rob Rush Radio, Eagles guitarist Don Felder debunked this myth, saying:

“There’s no Satanic factor or devil-worshipping, or any weird stuff like that. Really, it’s just the song about the underbelly industry in Los Angeles, how it can be less than beautiful.”

Similarly, “Stairway to Heaven” has faced its own wild claims, with people insisting there’s a hidden Satanic message when the song is played backward. These theories, though baseless, have added a layer of mystery to both tracks.

Chart Performance and Legacy

When it comes to chart performance, “Hotel California” and “Stairway to Heaven” had different journeys. “Hotel California” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for a week and stayed on the chart for 19 weeks. The album Hotel California was a massive hit, topping the Billboard 200 for eight weeks and spending a total of 158 weeks on the chart.

On the other hand, “Stairway to Heaven” was never released as a single, meaning it didn’t appear on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite this, Led Zeppelin IV, the album featuring “Stairway to Heaven,” peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and remained on the chart for a whopping 287 weeks.

While the two songs may not sound alike, they share a special place in rock history. Both “Hotel California” and “Stairway to Heaven” have become timeless anthems for rock music fans throughout the decades.