The Eagles and Don Henley were into writing lyrics about the situations they encountered in life. Effectively it was a bittersweet song, with metaphor "Hotel California" being Hollywood, S. Cal, and the music industry. Also referencing the one way street of fame. They were not into Heroin that much, but social statements. Sort of a gilded cage analogy. When Henley went solo he continued the statement with Dirty Laundry, expressing his displeasure with the ever intrusive media or paparazzi. If you want a good Heroin song listen to Nine Inch Nails album Downward Spiral. The song is also done with a fine cover by one of my favorites, Johnny Cash. That is a song of addiction. If I remember correctly, Eagles were drunks. Beatles were experimenting with acid, who wasn't back then, good old Timothy Leary. So you got Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, and to a lesser extent, Strawberry Fields Forever. Ever heard Mary Jane? Cocaine? Guess the next generation will have songs about Ectasy? Or E. Luckily we still have Snoop Doggy Dogg to keep us on the light stuff. Pass the spliff, bro. Best Wishes...OF
