The Last Resort

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Eagles

About The Last Resort

"The Last Resort" is a song written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey, which tells of how man inevitably destroys the places he finds beautiful. It was originally released on the Eagles' album Hotel California on December 8, 1976. It was subsequently released as the B-side of "Life in the Fast Lane" single on May 3, 1977. In a 1978 interview with Rolling Stone, Henley said: "'The Last Resort', on Hotel California, is still one of my favorite songs... That's because I care more about the environment than about writing songs about drugs or love affairs or excesses of any kind. The gist of the song was that when we find something good, we destroy it by our presence — by the very fact that man is the only animal on earth that is capable of destroying his environment. The environment is the reason I got into politics: to try to do something about what I saw as the complete destruction of most of the resources that we have left. We have mortgaged our future for gain and greed." 


Year:
2000
7:25
117 
#1

Lyrics currently unavailable…


Eagles

The Eagles are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1971 by Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner. more »

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8 facts about this song

Song Composition
"The Last Resort" was written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey. It's the last track on the legendary "Hotel California" album released by the Eagles in 1976.
Lengthy Duration
The song is notable for being exceptionally long, with a duration of 7 minutes and 29 seconds. This makes it one of the longest songs the Eagles have ever recorded.
Meaningful Message
“The Last Resort” carries a deep environmentalist message. It criticizes humanity’s destruction of nature for progress. The song speaks about the dispossession of Native Americans and the ruining of paradise due to urbanization.
Rarely Performed Live
Despite being a fan favorite, "The Last Resort" was not frequently performed live by the Eagles due to its complex arrangement and serious subject matter. This made it a rare treat for audiences when it was included in a setlist.
Musical Arrangement
The song is known for its reflective, melancholy tone and its intricate musical arrangement which includes piano, banjo, and strings. The esteemed Jim Ed Norman was responsible for the orchestral arrangements.
Critical Acclaim
“The Last Resort” received critical acclaim for its poignant lyrics and engaging music. Many critics consider it as one of the best songs by the Eagles, although it was never released as a single.
Association with Television
The song has been featured in multiple TV shows, including "The Sopranos," where it was used in the season 4 finale.
Inspired by a Book
The lyrics of "The Last Resort" were reportedly inspired by the book "The Last Whole Earth Catalog," a countercultural magazine that aimed at self-sufficiency, ecology, and do-it-yourself techniques. This represents the band's deep engagement with the social issues of the time.

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