Upvoted for the unpopular opinion. Hotel California is a good song imho. Everytime I listen to it, I hear new lyrics and themes I didn't catch before. It sounds so dark and soulful and really makes me imagine a specific setting. To me it sounds like the Eagles really put their whole chest in that song, lots of creativity and a great performance
I remember reading a thread where a ton of posters were calling it the greatest song of all time. Maybe I missed a joke, but the adoration for this song seems sincere.
I think Freebird is a pre-Internet meme, like "where's the beef" was. When someone would take song requests, shouting out Freebird was asking for a song known for versions with 20 minute dueling guitar solos. Basically a ridiculous and over the top request.
It is a good song since it's still popular today in a serious sense many times, which is what has kept it still somewhat relevant in pop culture.