Lana Del Rey understands the dark, sensual side of classic rock better than just about anyone else. For that reason, she’s the perfect candidate to cover The Eagles’ “Hotel California.” Here’s a look at why she decided that’s a bad idea.
Lana Del Rey revealed what makes The Eagles’ ‘Hotel California’ difficult to cover
Artists from the 1950s and 1960s released covers as singles far more often than artists do today. For example, many of Elvis Presley’s biggest hits were covers. That era of music has profoundly inspired Del Rey, so it’s no surprise that she’s put her own spin on many beloved songs. She’s recorded tunes by Nancy Sinatra, Nina Simone, Bobby Vinton, John Denver, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sublime, Donovan, Nirvana, Marilyn Monroe, and others. However, she has yet to try her hands at any song by The Eagles.
During a 2019 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Del Rey discussed her thoughts on covering a certain track about a dark desert highway. “It’d be so fun to do ‘Hotel California,’” she said. “It’s really hard to sing, though. You think you know it, and then seven minutes in, you’re like, ‘Oh, Jesus!’”
Lana Del Rey revealed The Eagles’ impact on her
The “Ride” singer said she has a lot of thoughts of making an album of classic California cover songs. “Somewhere in the back of my mind, I’ve been coordinating this concept covers album called Pacific Blue,” she revealed. “It would be a very low-key thing, like acoustic Beach Boys stuff, Elvis, Chris Isaak. People usually think your career is over when you record a covers album or a Christmas album. But my musician friends and I are always playing covers. We could probably do that album in a week.”
Del Rey also wants to work with the most famous member of The Eagles. “I wanted Don Henley to be a guest at the Bowl show, but I think he’s in Texas,” she said. “Also, it’s Don Henley.”
According to Rolling Stone, The Eagles have been a significant influence on her work. She even likes to prepare for photo shoots by listening to “Hotel California.” What a perfect song to make you feel glamorous and cool before posing for a magazine cover.
How Lana Del Rey could pull of ‘Hotel California’
So, could Del Rey pull off a cover of “Hotel California?” Well, Del Rey has been widely compared to Nancy Sinatra for her entire career. Sinatra managed to do a decent version of the song, so why couldn’t Del Rey?
Del Rey’s biggest concern is the song’s titanic length. There are two solutions to that problem. First, she can decide to record the song in the studio. That way she can mess up and edit together different takes to make one perfect recording. Also, Del Rey could put out a cover that shortens the song by removing all of the long instrumental sections of the original track. Regardless, Del Rey’s fans and The Eagles’ fans would probably be elated to hear her put her spin on a timeless hit.
Even if she leaves “Hotel California” behind, Del Rey deserves a lot of credit for keeping the spirit of classic rock alive.
