The Eagles
INTRO
COUPLET
On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim, I had to stop for the night
There she stood in the doorway, I heard the mission bell
And I was thinkin’ to myself, « This could be heaven or this could be hell »
Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor, I thought I heard them say
REFRAIN
« Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of year (any time of year)
You can find it here »
COUPLET
Her mind is Tiffany-twisted, she got the Mercedes-Benz, uh
She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys that she calls friends
How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget
So I called up the Captain, « Please bring me my wine »
He said, « We haven’t had that spirit here since 1969 »
And still, those voices are calling from far away
Wake you up in the middle of the night just to hear them say
REFRAIN
« Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
They’re livin’ it up at the Hotel California
What a nice surprise (what a nice surprise)
Bring your alibis »
COUPLET
Mirrors on the ceiling, the pink champagne on ice
And she said, « We are all just prisoners here of our own device »
And in the master’s chambers, they gathered for the feast
They stab it with their steely knives, but they just can’t kill the beast
Last thing I remember, I was running for the door
I had to find the passage back to the place I was before
« Relax, » said the night man, « We are programmed to receive
You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave »