And finally, for now, a song that needs no introduction, because it’s got one of the best in music history, and deserves a place on the playlist. It’s also got a classic outro as well.
“Hotel California” - Eagles
“They stab it with their steely knives, but they just can't kill the beast”
Hmm, what or who were the Eagles referencing in this lyric in that song? Perhaps another band with the same manager?
Like the Neil Young and Lynyrd Skynyrd back and forth song jabs over albums, this one was a little more veiled.
Steel Dan had gone first in the song "Everything You Did" where the line "
Turn up the Eagles, the neighbors are listening" was referencing a real-life argument between Walter Becker and his girlfriend, who was an Eagles fan. Eagles had replied back with this playful jab in "Hotel California".
And speaking of Steely Dan, in 1976 they released their guitar masterpiece and my favourite "all killer, no filler" album that to this day is my top choice of all they've produced over the years.
It was very hard to pick just one here, as the album really is a start-to-finish listening experience. The jazz and rock fusion album is on full display on this release. "Kid Charlemagne" was the big hit, and "Haitian Divorce" had the distinct talk box guitar played by Dean Parks. Two amazing songs in their own right. Add in that opening scorching guitar in "Don't Take Me Alive" and the highly underrated jazzy "The Caves Of Altamira" with its lyrical genius historical context. "Green Earrings" too, another jazz/rock blend masterpiece.
But to top them for me is the album title song, so I'll again for my 2nd straight nomination go with that. Not a single or a hit, but an FM rock staple, this might be my favourite song of theirs, but even that changes over time. But however it might change, this album remains tops for me. Those horn arrangements in this song are so distinct, especially the trombone that really compliments the guitar riffs.
The song tells the story of a group of immigrants who travel to NYC seeking opportunity, but instead encounter exploitation and hardship. The song critiques the harsh realities of the American Dream, particularly for those facing poverty and discrimination.
Now the tale is told by the old man back home he reads the letter
How they paid in gold just to babble in the back room all night and waste their time
The album cover features an image of a man in a suit sleeping on a bus stop bench dreaming of skyscrapers with monstrous animal heads at the top. Larry Zox originally created the painting of the skyscraper/beast hybrids for an unreleased Van Morrison album, and designer Ed Caraeff suggested superimposing a photograph of a sleeping vagrant taken by Charlie Ganse to make the cover.
And oh, for one last Eagles reference, then Poco member and future Eagle Timothy B Schmit sings background vocals on this song. From the theme of "Flight"...
"The Royal Scam" - Steely Dan
