Konted's Make My Day 2: Hotel California

Hotel California

I still remember vividly, a long time ago, when our small group would drive up to the mountains of Antipolo, mostly on Saturday nights, to unwind. We would park our cars at a vantage point where the glittering lights of the Metropolis could be seen. It was a spectacular view, one that made everyone gaze and gaze for hours on end.

I also remember when we would listen, over and over again, to a rock song that was one of the most popular songs at that time. We were then using the cartridge, not the cassette yet. It was a long song. About 7 1/2 minutes. But it was a song everyone loved to listen to, again and again.

" 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. "

Hotel California was popularized by the group Eagles. It was released in December of 1976 and after only 3 months, it was certified as GOLD with more than a million copies sold. Hotel California was voted # 49 in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time. The song tells of life in the 70's, specifically some of the vices of that era. Colitas, as mentioned in the song, refer to weeds.

" 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 masters chambers,

As they gathered for the feast

They stabbed it with their steely knives

But they just can't kill the beast. "

Two nights ago, I was listening to some songs at You Tube and I chanced upon that classic song Hotel California. It was uploaded on February 3, 2012 and I was surprised to find out that total views have reached 39,507,295. And nearing the 40th million mark. Ergo, to this day, this rock song is still popular.

Again, in retrospect, I remember my good friend Seven. He was called Seven as he was born prematurely in the 7th month. As our small group would leave the Antipolo mountains as the break of dawn was nearing, he would usually throw the car keys on the dashboard, position himself at the passenger seat and would tell the group: " Ayan ang susi. Ayoko ng magmaneho. Kayo naman. " Everyone else was in stony silence. And as we would begin our descent, with two fingers, he would press the cartridge and listen once more to the Eagles' rendition of Hotel California. Again and again.

" 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 "

"Welcome to the Hotel California

Such a lovely place,

Such a lovely face....."

- Konted

Hotel California by The Eagles (YouTube video):