Helen’s prompt for this weeks’ Song-Lyric Sunday is “classics.” Her post here (where you can find all the rules and stuff to join in – do it!), highlights a song that tells a story. As I was going through my CD collection, looking for one of my oldest albums (I still have it on vinyl!) I came across “Hotel California.” Everyone knows the title song, and yes, it too tells a story. But the song on the album I love even more is “The Last Resort,” which also tells a story. One that is as relevant today as it has ever been.
You can listen to it here, with the lyrics:
If you can’t view the one above, try this:
“The Last Resort”
Don Henley and Glen Frey
She came from Providence,
the one in Rhode Island
Where the old world shadows hang
heavy in the air
She packed her hopes and dreams
like a refugee
Just as her father came across the sea
She heard about a place people were smilin’
They spoke about the red man’s way,
how they loved the land
And they came from everywhere
to the Great Divide
Seeking a place to stand
or a place to hide
Down in the crowded bars,
out for a good time,
Can’t wait to tell you all,
what it’s like up there
And they called it paradise
I don’t know why
Somebody laid the mountains low
while the town got high
Then the chilly winds blew down
Across the desert
through the canyons of the coast,
to the Malibu
Where the pretty people play,
hungry for power
to light their neon way
give them things to do
Some rich men came and raped the land,
Nobody caught ’em
Put up a bunch of ugly boxes,
and Jesus people bought ’em
‘nd they called it paradise
The place to be
They watched the hazy sun, sinking in the sea
You can leave it all behind and sail to Lahaina
just like the missionaries did, so many years ago
They even brought a neon sign: “Jesus is coming”
Brought the white man’s burden down
Brought the white man’s reign
Who will provide the grand design?
What is yours and what is mine?
‘Cause there is no more new frontier
We have got to make it here
We satisfy our endless needs and
justify our bloody deeds,
in the name of destiny
and in the name of God
And you can see them there,
On Sunday morning
They stand up and sing about
what it’s like up there
They call it paradise
I don’t know why
You call someplace paradise,
kiss it goodbye
Lyrics courtesy of A-Z Lyrics
May 23, 2016 at 9:28 pm
beautiful song (and lyrics)
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May 24, 2016 at 9:13 pm
It is! 🙂
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May 23, 2016 at 3:57 pm
Love this song! 🙂
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May 23, 2016 at 4:22 pm
😀
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May 23, 2016 at 5:05 am
I grew up in the 50s and 60s, and after I “grew up”, I only listened to the radio in the car, so I wasn’t much of an album collector by the 70s, but I’ve believed for years that Hotel California is quite possibly the greatest Rock song ever. I listen to “oldies” now, and whenever Hotel California comes on, I’m rapt till the end, singing my lungs out, even if it means sitting out in the driveway for 3 minutes after I’ve pulled in.
Not owning any Eagles’ albums, I’ve never heard Last Resort before. I still wouldn’t put it ahead of Hotel California, but the story’s full of pointy jabs and guilty twinges, isn’t it?
Then I saw you had posted Fastball’s The Way! That was the era of my son’s burgeoning interest in music, and he gifted me with their All the Pain Money Can Buy CD. I hadn’t thought about that in years. Thanks, Linda!
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May 22, 2016 at 6:53 pm
Great song! I listen to the Eagles music all the time.
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May 22, 2016 at 6:57 pm
I’m listening to Kansas right now, but I think side 2 of Hotel California is not far off. 🙂
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May 22, 2016 at 3:43 pm
Video not available in the U.S. Too bad.
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May 22, 2016 at 3:45 pm
Oh no! I’ll replace it, hopefully with one that can be viewed there. Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
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May 22, 2016 at 3:54 pm
I added a second video. It doesn’t have the lyrics right in the video, but at least (if you can view it in the US) you’ll be able to listen to it. 🙂
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May 22, 2016 at 3:58 pm
Thanks for the effort, Linda. I don’t know who Warner Chappell is…but they have blocked both of them on “copyright grounds in your country” ??
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May 22, 2016 at 4:11 pm
Grrr… Give that a try – it’s Dailymotion instead of Youtube.
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May 22, 2016 at 6:01 pm
Success ! Thanks for your trouble. It was worth it…poignant lyrics and quite a video to match. ☺
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May 22, 2016 at 6:21 pm
So glad you got to watch it! Thank YOU for all your trouble, helping me work this out, Van. 🙂 And I’m happy you enjoyed it!
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May 22, 2016 at 2:51 pm
Oh,oh I love that song – Paradise – Linda. I haven’t heard it for years – Thank You
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May 22, 2016 at 3:02 pm
You’re welcome, Paul. It’s been a long while for me too!
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May 22, 2016 at 2:21 pm
I LOVE the Eagles; in fact, I almost picked one of their songs got my own SLS. When I read the lyrics, I thought I hadn’t heard this song before, but of course I have. I love it too. Such a beautiful, sad story it tells.
Thanks for playing along and posting this amazing song! 👍🏻😊
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May 22, 2016 at 3:01 pm
You’re welcome, Helen. 🙂 Glad it’s a song you love.
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May 22, 2016 at 12:56 pm
Woow! another fabulous post !! for Sunday song lyrics! ❤
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May 22, 2016 at 12:59 pm
Thank you, Willow. Glad you like it. 🙂
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