Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Best California Song: The Eagles or Led Zeppelin?

I have stumbled across an age old debate today. A debate that I'm sure has been tossed around oh a few hundred times over the last 30 years. Who sings the better song about California? The Eagles or Led Zeppelin. Now let me reiterate. This is not a debate on who the better band is. We are talking one song, and one song only.

The Eagles "Hotel California"
"You can check out anytime you like...but you can never leave"

This 1977 classic from The Eagles is easily the most recognizable tune and some say the best tune of the last 70s era. The lyrics spoke true to the southern California music culture that was swallowing up people by the hundreds. The song is an allegory about hedonism and self-destruction in the music industry at that time and Don Henley (lead singer) called it "our interpretation of the high life in Los Angeles".


Led Zeppelin "Going to California"
"going to California with an aching in my heart"

Now when talking about California in the 70s you could not forget about Zeppelin. You just can't. Robert Plant supposedly took the inspiration for this song from Joni Mitchell, whose music he was obsessed with by the 70s. Yet the song is made by Jimmy Page. His amazing guitar rifts and fantastic hippie inspired lyrics bring this song to a whole other level. This song was an instant cult classic, and one that nobody ever really forgot.

My favorite line "the sea was read the sky was grey, wondered how tomorrow could ever follow today"
**oh and this video is awesome**


So who has the better song about California??

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

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