“Hotel California” is a song by the American rock band The Eagles, released on their 1976 album “Hotel California.”
It is considered one of the greatest rock songs of all time and has been a staple of classic rock radio for decades.
The lyrics describe a man’s experience at a luxurious but sinister hotel and are widely interpreted as a commentary on the excesses of the American dream.
Standard Tuning (GCEA) Ukulele Chords
Here’s the chords to the song for GCEA tuning. They work for both high-G and low-G ukes.
Chords Used:
Bm | F# | A | E | G | D |
Em | F#7 |
About the Song “Hotel California”
“Hotel California” is a song by the American rock band The Eagles, released on their 1976 album of the same name. It was written by Don Felder, Don Henley, and Glenn Frey.
The song is widely regarded as one of the greatest rock songs of all time and features elements of rock, folk, and Latin music.
The lyrics describe a journey to a luxurious hotel where everything appears to be perfect, but the protagonist realizes that he may never be able to leave.
The song’s themes include materialism, excess, and disillusionment. “Hotel California” was a commercial success, reaching the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and selling millions of copies.
It remains one of The Eagles’ most popular and enduring songs.
Baritone Ukulele Chords (DGBE)
The baritone ukulele is the largest and deepest-toned member of the ukulele family.
It is tuned differently from the standard soprano, concert, and tenor ukuleles, with strings tuned to DGBE, similar to the four highest strings on a guitar.
Chords Used:
Bm | F# | A | E | G | D |
Em | F#7 |
[Intro]
Bm F# A E
G D Em F#7
Bm F# A E
G D Em
F#7
[Verse 1]
Bm F#
On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair.
A E
Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air.
G D
Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light.
Em
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim,
F#7
I had to stop for the night.
Bm F#
There she stood in the doorway; I heard the mission bell,
A E
And I was thinking to myself, "this could be heaven or this could be hell".
G D
Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way.
Em F#7
There were voices down the corridor, I thought I heard them say...
[Chorus]
G D F#7 Bm
Welcome to the Hotel California, such a lovely place, such a lovely face.
G D Em F#7
Plenty of room at the Hotel California, any time of year, you can find it here.
[Verse 2]
Bm F#
Her mind is Tiffanytwisted, she got the Mercedes bends.
A E
She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys, that she calls friends.
G D
How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat.
Em F#7
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget.
Bm F#
So I called up the Captain, "please bring me my wine".
A E
He said "we haven't had that spirit here since nineteen sixty nine".
G D
And still those voices are calling from far away.
Em F#7
Wake you up in the middle of the night just to hear them say...
[Chorus]
G D F#7 Bm
Welcome to the Hotel California, such a lovely place, such a lovely face.
G D Em F#7
They living it up at the Hotel California. What a nice surprise, bring your alibis.
[Verse 3]
Bm F#
Mirrors on the ceiling, the pink champagne on ice.
A E
And she said "we are all just prisoners here, of our own device".
G D
And in the master's chambers, they've gathered for the feast.
Em F#7
They stab it with their steely knives, but they just can't kill the beast.
Bm F#
Last thing I remember, I was running for the door.
A E
I had to find the passage back to the place I was before.
G D
"Relax" said the night man, we are programmed to receive.
Em F#7
You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.
[Guitar Solo]
Bm F# A E
G D Em F#7
Bm F# A E
G D Em F#7
Bm F# A E
G D Em F#7
[Outro]
Bm F# A E
G D Em F#7
Bm F# A E
G D Em F#7Video Version (GCEA Tuning) Keyed Down
Here’s a good ukulele chords video version of “Hotel California” keyed one full step down from the other versions on this page:
Chords in D Tuning (ADF#B)
D-tuning is a tuning for the ukulele that changes the pitch of the strings from the standard GCEA tuning. In D-tuning, the strings are tuned to the notes D-A-D-F#.
This tuning is less common than the standard GCEA tuning, but it can provide a different tonal quality and open up new possibilities for playing chords and melodies.
Chords Used in D Tuning (ADF#B):
Bm | F# | A | E | G | D |
Em | F#7 |
Can The Eagles’ music be played on ukulele?
The Eagles is an American rock band, but their music can be played on various instruments including the ukulele.
The ukulele is a small, four-stringed musical instrument that is popular for its simple, catchy sound and portability.
Many fans of The Eagles play the band’s songs on the ukulele as a fun and creative way to enjoy their music.
The chords used in the songs can often be easily adapted to the ukulele, allowing for a unique take on the classic rock tracks.
Did The Eagles utilize ukulele in any of their songs?
To my knowledge, the Eagles did not use the ukulele in any of their original recordings.
The Eagles are known for their classic rock sound, which is typically characterized by electric guitars, bass, and drums.
However, there is nothing stopping anyone from covering their songs on the ukulele or arranging them for the instrument, and many fans and musicians have created their own ukulele versions of Eagles’ songs.
Ukulele arrangements can offer a new perspective on familiar songs and can be a fun and creative way to enjoy music.
