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“11 Intriguing Songs That are Totally Hollywood” features songs courtesy of Jenny Lewis, Lewis Capaldi, Machine Gun Kelly, Post Malone, and Yelawolf. 

In 1973, R&B/Funk collective Kool & The Gang sung, “Hey, hey, hey / What you got say? / Hollywood / ‘Hollywood Swinging’, yea, that’s what they’re doin’.” For Bob Seger, on “Hollywood Nights” (Stranger in Town, 1978), he asserted, “In those Hollywood hills / She was looking so right / In her diamonds and frills / Oh, those big city nights.”

As for Public Enemy, in 1990 on Fear of a Black Planet, they enlisted assists from Ice Cube and Big Daddy Kane on “Burn Hollywood Burn,” asserting, “Hollywood or would they not / Make us all look bad like I know they had / But some things I’ll never forget, yeah / So step and fetch this shit / For all the years we looked like clowns / The joke is over – smell the smoke from all around / Burn Hollywood, burn.”

The common thread between the three aforementioned songs is Hollywood! There have been numerous songs penned about Hollywood and amazingly, many of them ‘expose’ the place where people seek to make their dreams come true.  This particular list, 11 INTRIGUING SONGS THAT ARE TOTALLY HOLLYWOOD, only covers songs where Hollywood is explicitly mentioned in the song title.  There are many other songs about the city that fail to mention it by name in the title.  Furthermore, the 11 songs selected here are just a select few of many. 11 INTRIGUING SONGS THAT ARE TOTALLY HOLLYWOOD features songs courtesy of Jenny Lewis (“Hollywood Lawn”), Lewis Capaldi (“Hollywood”), Machine Gun Kelly (“Hollywood Whore”), Post Malone (“Hollywood’s Bleeding”), and Yelawolf (“Trailer Park Hollywood”) among others.

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1. Post Malone, “Hollywood’s Bleeding”

Hollywood’s Bleeding • Republic • 2019

“Me and Kurt [Cobain] feel the same, too much pleasure is pain…” Whoa! Grammy-nominated rapper/singer Post Malone delivers another enjoyable, crowd-pleasing affair with his third album, Hollywood’s Bleeding. Hollywood’s Bleeding is certainly a dramatic album title. The  album itself finds PM amplifying his pop-leanings more pronouncedly than Stoney or Beerbongs & Bentleys.  Hollywood’s Bleeding won’t change your life, but it has its fair share of moments.

“I light a candle, some Palo Santo / For all these demons, which I could just go on…” “Hollywood’s Bleeding” is fittingly the opening statement of the album.  Essentially, in Post Malone’s hands, the place where so many dreamers go to make it is something of a death trap.

“Outside, the winter sky turnin’ grey
City up in smoke, it’s only ash when it rains
Howl at the moon and go to sleep in the day
Lover for everybody ‘til the drugs fade away…”

From his perspective, Hollywood is dark, disappointing, and troubling (nearly, if not fatal) despite the fact “We call it home,” or so he asserts on the chorus:

“I just keep on hopin’ that you call me
You say you wanna see me, but you can’t right now
You never took the time to get to know me
Was scared of losin’ somethin’ that we never found
We’re running out of reasons, but we can’t let go
Yeah, Hollywood is bleeding, but we call it home.”

2. Machine Gun Kelly, “Hollywood Whore”

Hotel Diablo • Bad Boy / Interscope • 2019

“(First place) / Is it worth it when you see it’s all (Two-faced)? / Trying to fit into a world with no (New space) / Commit third-degree murder (What for?) / Tryna play me like a Hollywood whore.” “Hollywood Whore” appears as the third track off of Hotel Diablo, the fourth studio album by Cleveland rapper Machine Gun Kelly.  Hotel Diablo is the proper follow-up to Kelly’s 2017 album, bloom, though, it should be noted, he released the rushed EP, BINGE in 2018 (I’m sure he’d like to forget that release).

On “Hollywood Whore,” Machine Gun Kelly is backed by production balancing hip-hop, pop, and rock sensibilities.  The sound is very suitable for Kelly, definitely fueling his fire.  As always, he has a compelling, quick-paced flow, serving up ample rhythmic moments.  In regard to the substance, he seems to address the tactics of record companies, as well as reflecting on his own fame, the work he put in, and his come-up.

One lyrical passage in particular stands out from the first verse, finding the rapper quite incensed:

“You sat at the table with my daughter promising you got us
Right after you finished saying grace
Why don’t you tell her what you’re hiding in the bank?
It’s time to cut my lawn to see the snakes.”

As is the case with many ‘Hollywood’ songs, the picture isn’t necessarily ‘sunny.’ The end of the second verse is pretty intense too:

“It’s because of y’all, I couldn’t separate myself from my career
Because of y’all, I hated myself for so many years
Because of you, you ain’t never gonna see me trust
Even if I got a wife, she just somebody I fuck…”
Five words: “The City of Angels (Danger).”

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3. Jenny Lewis, “Hollywood Lawn”

On the Line • Warner • 2019

“On a Hollywood lawn today / Slip and slide, watching the kids play / You know that I love you, babe / Dozin’ off watchin’ the channels change.” Hmm, singer and actress Jenny Lewis seems a bit, um, disillusioned.  Need more proof? On the second verse of “Hollywood Lawn,” the fourth track from her 2019 album, On the Line, she asserts, “Rememberin’ better days / Lookin’ up at the chem-trail haze…,” while on the third verse, she’s even more straightforward: “Eureka moment come my way / You know that I love you, babe / I just cannot stay.”

“Hollywood Lawn” is a prime example of escapism – Jenny Lewis is leaving him on this slow, overall beautifully produced record. That said, clocking in north of four-and-a-half-minutes, the record feels a bit sleepy due to the lack of variation (it’s a bit predictable).  But, at the same time, it seems ‘by design.’  Even if it could use more oomph, there’s lots to like, including production comprised of piano, acoustic guitar, and robust bass and drums.  Additionally, there are some nice, supporting backing vocals adding even more depth to the sound occasionally.  Jenny Lewis delivers strong lead vocals throughout, never over singing, yet always confidently delivering.  Perhaps the best moment is:

“I been searching for the heart to tell you somethin’
I could get down on my knees
I’ve had it with you trippers and drama queens
If I click my ruby slippers like Don Quixote
I’m long lost like Rockefeller drifting off to sea…”

4. Lewis Capaldi, “Hollywood”

Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent • Universal Music GmbH • 2019

“You know I spent some time in Hollywood tryna find / Somethin’ to get the thought of you and I off my mind…” On “Hollywood,” the ninth track from his 2019 debut LP, Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent, alternative musician Lewis Capaldi misses that special someone in his life, while being in L.A. Of course, Capaldi wouldn’t feel ‘at home’ in Hollywood – he’s from Scotland.

Naturally Capaldi misses home in general, asserting, “All the streetlights illuminate what home used to feel like / And when I get to thinkin’, can’t sleep at night / No I don’t feel right.” On the pre-chorus, he references L-O-V-E, asserting, “‘Cause love can find a way to make your heart run heavy.” While Capaldi doesn’t give a damning portrait of Hollywood itself, it’s the fact that the things he knows – a girlfriend and his hometown – aren’t there.

5. Yelawolf, “Trailer Park Hollywood”

Trunk Muzik 3 • Interscope • 2019

“Just like a nude velvet painting of a pinup girl / We Trailer Park Hollywood, we Trailer Park Hollywood / I still got the dice hanging from my rearview ‘cause / I’m Trailer Park Hollywood…”  “Trailer Park Hollywood” appears as the seventh track on Trunk Muzik 3, the 2019 studio album by Alabaman rapper Yelawolf.  The record commences with colorful, enigmatic production work on the intro, before settling into more of a hard-nosed sound on the first verse.  The drum programming packs quite a sizable punch, anchoring the production down superbly.  The backdrop is perfect fuel for the fire of Yelawolf, who is on autopilot from the jump.

What makes Yelawolf so captivating as an artist is his distinct vocal tone, unlike anybody else in the rap game currently. Furthermore, he has an electrifying flow – his rhythmic prowess is quite impressive.  The content on “Trailer Park Hollywood” keeps it hardcore, with Yela not compromising his southern roots since coming up – becoming ‘Hollywood.’  For example, at the end of the first verse, he asserts, “Yeah, I keep that bottom ‘cause I know where I came from / Still Slum, bitch.” Of course, prior to that line, there’s a sexual wrinkle – “808’s rattle in the seat where she came from / Yeah, I keep that bottom ‘cause I know where I came from.” On the second, in case there was any doubt, he states, “My religion is ‘Bama life,” later adding, “Hip-hop is my lane and rock and roll is my attitude / I stay country fresh, bitch.” #Trailer Park Hollywood.

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6. Gorillaz, “Hollywood”

Ft. Snoop Dogg & Jamie Principle

The Now Now • Parlophone • 2018

“Hollywood,” the third track from the 2018 album, The Now Now, features a veteran West Coast rapper, Snoop Dogg, and a house musician, Jamie Principle. Funky, “Hollywood” suits both collaborators, and of course, Gorillaz.  Principle excels at the spoken word, shining most at the end of the first verse: “Hollywood / She’s so seductive / She’s got me looking for that dream / I bow down / She knows how to do it / Exactly the way I like it.” What makes the lyrics so brilliant is how he likens the allure of Hollywood to amazing sex with a beautiful woman.

Albarn is low-key (as always), but quite intriguing on the chorus, alongside Jamie Principle:

“Hollywood is alright
Hollywood is fragrant
Jealousy is gunfire
It makes you kill the vibe
(She’s a wonderful thing)
Jealousy and dark times
Sinking on the web
There’s more to love than that
Jealousy is vibe down.”

Interesting to say the least.  Snoop Dogg is on autopilot on the second verse, asserting, “They wanna eye me down, tie me down, knock me off / But I’m a lion in the dog pound / Now, how that sound?” Typical Snoop.  Like Albarn and Principle, he also highlights the negative aspects and effects of Hollywood: “Jealousy and me? Oh, we’re making a date / I’m a vibe with this, Hollywood, nigga, I’m a survive this shit.” Principle later delivers a third verse, highlighting how ‘wonderful’ the seductive city is. Apparently, “She’s a wonderful thing.”

7. Amigo the Devil, “Dahmer Does Hollywood”

Volume 1 • Regime Music Group • 2018 // (Manimals, 2010)

“Give or take a few dudes from the bar / Take them home with me / This night /Is going to end horribly / For someone.” The aforementioned lyrics characterize serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer (1960 – 1994) perfectly. Folk singer/songwriter Amigo the Devil (Danny Kiranos) is one of a kind. Perhaps that’s why musician, who tackles controversial topics, delivers such a chilling snapshot of Dahmer on “Dahmer Does Hollywood.”

Kiranos doesn’t stop there. He goes on to sing:

“But that's alright
‘Cause I left Milwaukee behind
For this
Refreshing town
With this refreshing meat…”

The key word is ‘meat,’ which refers to both pleasure and cannibalism on Dahmer’s end of things.  He also offers more biographical tidbits, referencing Dahmer’s drinking, drilling, and most of all, death. Hey, you can’t sing about Dahmer and not mention death, right? Right!

“So, you should start to undress
And just try a little less
And I'll drill in your head
What you need
To be
King of this god damn city
So, come on, Believe me
Follow me home
There’s no judgement here
We’ll laugh a little
Drink a little
See what you're made of
I’m capable of making you disappear
I am the agent
That decides your fate.”

“Dahmer Does Hollywood” previously appeared on the playlist, An Eerie Soundtrack to Jeffrey Dahmer.

8. Grouplove, “Hollywood”

Big Mess • Atlantic • 2017

“I’ve been tired, I’ve been tired, I’ve been tired, I’ve been tired / You’ve been gone, you’ve been gone, you’ve been gone, you’ve been gone…” Lots of repetition on the first verse, to say the least. Grouplove returned after a three-year hiatus with its third album, Big Mess. Prior to Big Mess, the last time we heard from the alternative, indie-pop collective was in 2013, when they were Spreading Rumours. Big Mess is by no means a “big mess,” despite its title. Throughout the album, Christian Zucconi and Hannah Hooper, partners in real life, share vocal duties. “Hollywood,” the final track on the album, earns a spot on this list because, well, it’s about Hollywood of course!

Perhaps the best aspect of “Hollywood” is the vocal harmonization between Zucconi and Hooper.  It’s simply radiant.  With so much repetition on both verses, as well as the pre-chorus, the best section of the song lyrically comes courtesy of the chorus, as well as the post-chorus:

“And Hollywood just talks the talk
Making movies ‘round the clock
But I’ve got something classical
To keep the people wanting more
So, tell me that you want me
I’m more than just a memory
You tell me that you need me
You tell me that you want me.”

What stands out thematically is how Grouplove makes it clear that Hollywood has plenty of ‘fakes,’ but they transcend the superficiality of the city.

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9. Miguel, “Hollywood Dreams”

WILDHEART • RCA • 2015

“Said wow, up fame, became your religion woman / Unique as you are your faith is coming / Now the walk of shame woman, its reputation / Cheap thrills, fake friends, coke binge, what a numb sensation.” Miguel delivers a pessimistic view of Hollywood on “Hollywood Dreams,” a highlight from his 2015, Grammy-nominated urban contemporary album, WILDHEART.

“Hollywood Dreams” arrives from the perspective of a female protagonist.  The woman that Miguel sings about is wide-eyed for fame and fortune (“Sweet Hollywood sign, you’re my salvation”), but she’s also fallen into bad habits including drugs (“Cokey scenes full of pipe dreams / Palm trees and a numb sensation”). As expected from a Miguel record, there’s also sexual innuendo – so fucking shocking, right?

“And we could be better than heroes baby, alright
We could fly higher than spaceships baby, all night long
Girl, you’re looking at the magic man
I can make it happen, alright
Lost Hollywood dreams
Lost Hollywood dreams.”

“Hollywood Dreams” previously appeared on the playlist, 11 Songs That Give Off California Vibes.

10. August Alsina, “Hollywood”

This Thing Called Life • Def Jam • 2015

“I started out at the bottom, yes, I came up from nothin’ / Had a lot of people who told me that I wouldn’t amount to nothin’…” Sigh, there is an honesty and vulnerability about the music of August Alsina.  It’s clear he’s experienced his fair share of hardships. On “Hollywood,” a standout from his sophomore album, This Thing Called Life, the emotional R&B singer speaks about his ‘come up,’ hence why he’s ‘Hollywood.’ “I fought for everything I got and a nigga don’t brag ‘bout what he have,” Alsina sings on the pre-chorus, continuing, “But I work hard to have a lot ‘cause I can’t go back to when times got bad.”

Even though “They say I’m Hollywood, ‘cause a young nigga living good,” August Alsina is humble – at least relatively humble.  On the second verse, he sings, “Make sure my family eating good, took my momma out the hood / Thank God I’m able.”  Notably, on the bridge, he reflects on the jealousy exhibited by others, as well as not becoming “complacent,” and staying hungry.

11. Father John Misty, “Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings”

Fear Fun • Sub Pop • 2012

“Jesus Christ, girl / What are people going to think? / When I show up to one of several funerals / I’ve attended for Grandpa this week.” Say what, Father John Misty? “Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings” is quite an entertaining, folk-rock record from singer/songwriter Josh Tillman.  “Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings” appears on his debut solo album, Fear Fun, released in 2012.

What makes “Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings” so entertaining? Well, it’s the clever, left of center lyrics. Specifically, there’s a clear element of freak and kinkiness in play throughout the record.  While it’s a bit more subtle on the first verse, the freakiness arrives full throttle on the third verse:

“Jesus Christ, girl
It hasn’t been long so it seems
Since I was picking out an island and a tomb for you
At the Hollywood Cemetery
You kiss on me
But we should let this dead guy sleep
We should let this dead guy sleep.”

Weird.  Drugs enter into the mix as well on the third verse (“Retracing the expanse of your American back / With Adderall and weed in my veins”), but the eyebrow-raising lyric is “You came, I think?” Oh my! The final statement of the song is “Someone’s got to help me dig.” Notably, Kid CuDi sampled this record on “Young Lady” from his 2013 album, Indicud.  Can you blame him? It rocks!

“11 Intriguing Songs That are Totally Hollywood” [Photo Credits: Atlantic, Bad Boy, Brent Faulkner, Def Jam, Interscope, The Musical Hype, Parlophone, Pexels, Pixabay, Regime Music Group, RCA, Republic, Sub Pop, Universal Music GmbH, Warner]

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