Just been listening to an interview with Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull where he states that The Eagles were their support act years ago
Now the Eagles must've heard Tull play this song nightly, so what do you think , (although Ian Anderson has no animousity about it )
Did the Eagles poach the melody?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMh0FS3rcnA

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Ted

"All right, guys, uh, listen. This is a blues riff in "B", watch me for the changes, and try and keep up, okay?"

very interesting. i have to admit i like what the eagles did with it if in fact they stole it.

No more than it's a copy of any other song with a descending melody

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No no and no

I see the resemblance, sort of like how a cow looks like an elephant.
I'm not a big fan of the Eagles, except for Joe Walsh. But, if they heard that song in 1970, I think the only thing it would have inspired them to do is take a nap.

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Shocking- not the fact that it is quite a resemblance , but the fact that I never have thought about it ! Because I have really loved both songs through the years , and I am usually very sensitive to hear someone copying a song . Perhaps it is because it mainly is the order of the chord changes that is similar - I still regard them as masterpieces of their own......

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A-man

I didn't hear enough of a resemblance to think that they really based Hotel on that song. Can't say I really liked that Tull song either.

Obviously the solo is one of the all time greats - thank you Felder & Walsh..

But what makes Hotel California great is not the music. It's the multi layered, triple depth lyrics. Don Henley may have been a real ****head at times, and a real mysogonistic egotist.

But he's also one of the greatest songwriters America ever produced..

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Do we have to say that out loud, even if it is true?

I just spent the last two months with Hotel California, learning it for a show. I listened and/or played it, probably 20 times a day in that two months. The quality of the recording and the layering of parts is unbelievable. I feel like learning that song was an achievement, I'm glad I put the time into it.

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The chord sequence has a similarity, but that is where it ends.
The lineup of musicians who were part of the Eagle's then and now did not need to copy anyone else's songs for inspiration.
Coincidence is all it is...

One can find conspiracy anywhere if you look long and hard enough to justify one's own views.

Let's compare bands here..

Eagle's line up is a list of musicians that were brought up in the Laurel Canyon scene.
The Byrd's Chris Hillman, Richie Furay. The Mamas and the Papas, Jefferson Airplane the Doors, the Lovin' Spoonful, Stephen Stills and who were those other's Buffalo Springfield and countless others who were the musical scene.

Jethro Tull line up is more in the Euro Vein of Music, a pianist taught in classical, a Guitarist with a jazz background, Celtic music influence of quite a few bands of the day.

there was more than enough incentive and influences on either side of the pond which shaped both bands musical directions....
I see/hear only a very small chord change which would suggest a chord sequence copy. Fail !!

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

There's definitely a similarity. I could never stand the song anyway.
It's one of two "classics" that I instantly switch off when it comes on the radio.

Plus Jethro Tull's song is in 3/4 time, Eagles' song 4/4 time. Chords changes sound a little similar, but that's it. NO COPY!

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-I find the solo fascinating - never tired of hearing it! (or trying to nail it )
Besides that - it was new when I left high school , and it was a big hit at all parties those days - so loads of sweet memories !

+1

That is of course the big difference ! JT is playing waltz! Perhaps 6/8 time?
But I think the chord change is not just a bit similar - the first 6 chords ( and most the most recognizable lines IMO ) are the same - though one is in Bm , the other Em ( If I remember it correctly)

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A-man