First Church Of Satan example essay topic

Music is in our lives in everything we do; even if we are not fans, it is there in commercials, movies, and many other places. People have different taste in music, but seldom does anybody stop and think about the meaning of the song they are listening to. "Hotel California" by The Eagles, is one of my favorite songs and I liked it long before I came to understand what all the hidden meanings are. When I first listened to "Hotel California", I pictured a scene from an Alfred Hitchcock movie. I had the image of a man driving in the desert, getting tired, and stopping in at a hotel that turned out to be more than he bargained for.

The hotel turned out to be a place from which there was no escape, but there was non-stop partying. I guess I was not to far off base from my initial thought, but have since discovered there is a deeper meaning than I original thought. In the prelude to the song, there is the sound of a rattlesnake's tail shaking. The serpent is a symbol of Satan. The man is riding in the dark dry desert possibly smoking marijuana and smells the warm scent of a woman. Temptations start to test his soul.

All of his senses are tempted: feelings-"cool wind" (1), smell-"warm smell of colitis" (2), sight-"a shimmering light" (3), and hearing-"mission bells" (7). He becomes overwhelmed and has to stop and inspect his surroundings. There is a woman, a goddess, waiting for him, inviting him in. The "mission bells" (7) are a sign of death, possibly a spiritual death. Confused, he is not sure if this is good or bad, but he wants to find out.

He is enticed, and enters against better judgment. The "voices" (11) that keep calling are those of Satan inviting him to come and enjoy the sins of the Satan's world. "Hotel California" represents a hotel on California Street where the First Church of Satan was founded. It is very much like Satan, offering what you want and hell always has room for more.

"Her mind is Tiffany-twisted" (13) describes the goddess that Satan is using to entice the man. She is very beautiful on the outside, but she has a disease, "bends" (18). She takes him to a place of her past victims that she has lured to Satanism. They are dancing in ecstasy; while some remembering the wonderful times, other are trying to forget what they have given up. Watching, not wanting to leave the party, he gives in and calls for "some wine" (23), which shows that he still has some spirit left. He is informed that spirit, whether the wine, or the Holy Spirit, has not been around "since 1969" (24).

The year 1969 is when the First Church of Satan was founded. The evil spirits are still trying to win him over. For the final temptation, Satan uses the goddess again. She has set up a lover's den for him with mirrors and champagne. The mirrors are to make sure that the soul leaves the body (there will be no reflection if there is no soul), and the champagne is to celebrate Satan's victory once the man gives into sin. He is ready for whatever she has to offer.

They both become slaves to their own passion and lust. There is no turning back. He has joined the satanic church. Everyone keeps coming back to the seduction of sin and cannot leave because of the addiction. When he realizes what is happening, he wants to get his soul back, but it is too late. Once you are in the church, you will always be in.

This song can be interpreted in many ways, but I feel like this is the way it was meant. The group, The Eagles, is known for being associated with the First Church of Satan and the founder of the church, Anton Levy. Whatever the meaning of the song, it has a good beat and I like it..