On this day in history, May 7, 1977, the Eagles' hit song 'Hotel California' reaches the top of the charts.

On May 7, 1977, "Hotel California" became the top song on the Billboard Hot 100.

The Eagles' six-minute-and-eight-second song spent one week atop the charts before being replaced by Leo Sayer's "When I Need You," according to Best Classic Bands.

According to SuperSeventies, the album "Hotel California" was released on Dec. 8, 1976, but the title song was released as a single two months later on Feb. 22, 1977.

"Don Henley, the founding member of the Eagles, stated in an interview with USA Today in 2020 that "Hotel California" was the band's creative peak, according to him."

""We had become adept in the studio, knew a lot about production, and were skilled in songwriting and musicianship," he continued."

He stated, "We were open to making adjustments, taking chances, and attempting something new and distinct from our previous endeavors."

Astronauts in the Space Station receive a wakeup call every day, with the NASA control center often playing 'Hotel California' as part of the routine.

USA Today reported that the musician chuckled before stating, "I'm not sure I'd want to begin the day with that," personally.

"It’s basically a song about the dark underbelly of the American dream and about excess in America."

The song's mysterious nature has sparked numerous amusing theories about its significance, which entertained Henley.

Rolling Stone reported that rumors circulated that the song was about "heroin addiction or satan worship," which Henley vehemently denied.

"According to Henley, we were all middle-class kids from the Midwest and our interpretation of the high life in Los Angeles was "Hotel California.""

In an interview with "60 Minutes," Henley offered another meaning.

He stated that the song is primarily about the grim reality behind the American dream and the prevalence of excess in the country, which is something they are well-versed in.

The 1977 Grammy Awards recognized "Hotel California" with the Record of the Year award, despite the band's absence that night due to their belief they would not win.

At the 2016 Grammy Awards, the Eagles were awarded as part of a tribute performance for their late co-founder Glenn Frey, who passed away in January 2016 at age 67.

Several lineup changes

According to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame website, the Eagles were established in 1971 by Frey, Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner.

After a string of pop hits, they retired in 1980 following several lineup changes.

The band was reborn in 1994 and experienced a resurgence in popularity, as evidenced by the public's continued demand for their music and messages, according to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

In 1998, the Eagles were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with Jimmy Buffett giving them the honor of induction.

The band received 18 Grammy Award nominations and won six, as well as numerous other accolades throughout their career.

In 2008, the Grammy organization's website announced that the album "Hotel California" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.