MovieChat Forums > Led Zeppelin DVD (2003) Discussion > 'Stairway to Heaven' vs. 'Hotel Californ...

'Stairway to Heaven' vs. 'Hotel California'

posted 18 years ago by EuropeanMoviesFan
11 replies | jump to latest

Okay, two of my favorite songs of all time are "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin and "Hotel California" by Eagles. I have,for a long time,wondered which of the two songs most people prefer. In my case, I like them both and I have never been able to make up my mind about which one is my favorite . I have read in articles that these two songs are one of the ones played on the radio the most,nationwide,even more than "Yesterday" by Beatles. I think these two songs are some of the best. ....so my question to you is: Which of the two songs do you like better? Which one do you think is played on the radio the most? Which one do you think is more recognizeable by most people? Try to be objective/fair. I know this is a Led Zeppelin message board. Thanks in advance.

¡Viva Felipe Calderón!

[–] Darth_Vegeta 18 years ago

For me, personally, here are the songs that I like:

Stairway To Heaven: Led Zepplin
Highway To Hell: AC/DC
Ridin' The Storm Out: REO Speedwagon
Back On The Road Again: REO Speedwagon
Like You Do: REO Speedwagon
Take It On The Run: REO Speedwagon
Trampled Underfoot: Led Zeppelin
Animal: Def Leppard

"You were a lot stronger when we fought Cell"
Ridin' the Storm Out: REO Speedwagon

[–] EuropeanMoviesFan 18 years ago

Thanks. It was about time somebody replied.

¡Viva Felipe Calderón!

[–] hecklejecklelove 17 years ago

Im a HUGE Led Zep fan which makes my choice very strange, but Id have to choose Hotel California. Not because it is better, it isnt, and both songs are on an extremely high level of excellence. For me, my choice is based upon the fact that Ive heard Stairway too many times.

hjl

Star Wars Episode IV.V: The Holiday Special.

[–] masterqtip 17 years ago

Stairway to Heaven. There is something about that song, something unexplainable, that makes it the greatest song anybody has ever written.

[–] StrangeBrew92 17 years ago

Stairway to Heaven, i dont even really like hotel california, its because i listen to all of a song not just the guitar or singing, i like the music is stairway.

and the song Yesterday, what the hell is so good about it anyway. Beatles are my favourite, but seriously, i never even listen to yesterday

[–] jagoroth 16 years ago

I preferred Achilles' Last Stand and Battle of Evermore over Stairway to Heaven (when choosing among Zep's more 'grandiose' songs; "When the Levee Breaks" is still my favorite overall).

I never quite saw the allure of Hotel California, though it's not a bad song. I put it in the same grouping of overrated songs along with Freebird.

[–] Mushion 16 years ago

I'd have to say, neither. Both Hotel California and Stairway are great songs, no doubt about it. They have awesome guitarlines, lyrics and vocals. But it's their fame that puts me off. I mean, yes, they're good songs, but both bands have produced other songs comparable in quality.

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] willydoe71 12 years ago

In all honesty, Hotel California is a good song, but it can't hold a candle to Stairway to Heaven. The time changes, the increased tempo & volume throughout, the lyrics, everything is superior to Hotel California. Not to mention live, it's 100x better.

[–] jkholman 11 years ago

I am just getting to know Led Zeppelin (at age 52). 'heard them in the past, but never cared much for them although I could appreciate their craftmanship.

Favourite song Alltime Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond

Favourite Album Sgt Peppers' LHC Band

Favourite song over the past
twenty-five years Time is Tight - Booker T & the MG's

Favourite Led Zeppelin song Over the Hills & Far Away

Hotel California is different from previous Eagles' material, which is usually an indication of something contrary to the better (Elton John - Philadelphia Freedom; Cat Stevens - Another Saturday Night; and others). Not so for the Eagles. I count this their best number. As to Led Zeppelin, I feel Over the Hills & Far Away their best song. For me OTHAFA is one of those rare things:
a perfect song.

[–] willydoe71 10 years ago

Favourite song Alltime Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond

Interesting. I'm a HUGE Neil fan, but I don't get the popularity of that song. He's got tons of songs that are far superior to it, IMO of course:

I am I said
Brooklyn Roads
Sunday Sun
Two Bit Manchild
Shilo
Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show
Play Me
Morningside

Just to name a few.