Celluloid Heroes
Blackmore's Night Lyrics
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And everybody's in movies, it doesn't matter who you are
There are stars in every city, in every house and on every street
And if you walk down Hollywood Boulevard, their names are written in concrete
Don't step on Greta Garbo as you walk down the boulevard
She looks so weak and fragile, that's why she tried to be so hard
But they turned her into a princess and they sat her on a throne
You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Some that you recognize, some that you've hardly even heard of
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain
If you covered him with garbage, George Sanders would still have style
And if you stamped on Mickey Rooney, he would still turn 'round and smile
But don't tread on dearest Marilyn 'cause she's not very tough
She should have been made of iron or steel but she was only flesh and blood
You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Some that you recognize, some that you've hardly even heard of
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain
You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Some that you recognize, some that you've hardly even heard of
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain
Rudolph Valentino looks very much alive
And he looks up ladies' dresses as they sadly pass him by
Avoid stepping on Bela Lugosi 'cause he's liable to turn and bite
But stand close by Bette Davis because hers was such a lonely life
I wish my life was a non-stop Hollywood movie show
A fantasy world of celluloid villains and heroes
Because celluloid heroes never feel any pain
And celluloid heroes never really die
Everybody's a dreamer and everybody's a star
And everybody's in show biz, it doesn't matter who you are
And those who are successful, be always on your guard
Success walks hand in hand with failure along Hollywood Boulevard
The song "Celluloid Heroes" by Blackmore's Night is a tribute to Hollywood and the many actors and actresses who have graced its screens. The opening lines of the song state that "everybody's a dreamer and everybody's a star," emphasizing the idea that anyone can make it in Hollywood if they have the right amount of talent and ambition. The song then goes on to describe the various stars that can be seen on Hollywood Boulevard, both famous and relatively unknown.
One of the most poignant verses of the song seems to be focused on Greta Garbo, an actress who was known for her aloof and enigmatic persona. The lyrics suggest that Garbo's need for privacy was a result of her feeling weak and fragile, rather than being an affectation of her stardom. The song also mentions other famous stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Rudolph Valentino, and Bette Davis, all of whom were known for their contributions to Hollywood and their respective struggles with fame.
In the final stanza of the song, the singer expresses a desire for their own life to be like a "non-stop Hollywood movie show," suggesting that they long for the glamour and excitement of Hollywood. The repeated refrain that "celluloid heroes never really die" underscores the idea that the stars of Hollywood will always live on in the memories of their audiences, even long after they have passed away.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody's a dreamer and everybody's a star
Everyone has their own dreams and ambitions and everyone has the potential to be a star
And everybody's in movies, it doesn't matter who you are
The film industry is open to anyone, regardless of their background or status
There are stars in every city, in every house and on every street
Every person has the potential to be a star in their own right, no matter where they come from
And if you walk down Hollywood Boulevard, their names are written in concrete
The stars who have made it in Hollywood are immortalized through their stars on the Walk of Fame
Don't step on Greta Garbo as you walk down the boulevard
Greta Garbo is an icon who deserves respect, despite appearing fragile
She looks so weak and fragile, that's why she tried to be so hard
Garbo struggled to balance her public persona as a strong and independent woman with her private insecurities
But they turned her into a princess and they sat her on a throne
Despite her efforts to resist the Hollywood machine, Garbo became a symbol of beauty and royalty in the eyes of the public
But she turned her back on stardom because she wanted to be alone
Garbo ultimately rejected the Hollywood lifestyle and retreated into a life of solitude
Some that you recognize, some that you've hardly even heard of
The Walk of Fame includes both well-known stars and lesser-known actors and actresses
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
These stars went through many hardships to achieve their success, including rejection, disappointment, and personal struggles
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain
Success in Hollywood is not guaranteed, and some actors and actresses fail to achieve the fame they desire despite their hard work and talent
If you covered him with garbage, George Sanders would still have style
George Sanders had a certain charisma and charm that transcended his appearance or circumstance
And if you stamped on Mickey Rooney, he would still turn 'round and smile
Mickey Rooney had an indefatigable spirit and could still find joy and hope in the face of adversity
But don't tread on dearest Marilyn 'cause she's not very tough
Marilyn Monroe, despite her public persona as a glamorous sex symbol, was actually quite vulnerable and sensitive
She should have been made of iron or steel but she was only flesh and blood
Monroe was a human being with her own needs and struggles, despite the way she was often objectified or idealized in the media
Rudolph Valentino looks very much alive
Valentino's star still burns bright in the memories of many fans, even decades after his death
And he looks up ladies' dresses as they sadly pass him by
Valentino was known for his romantic escapades and womanizing behavior, though this line may also be a reference to a famous scene in one of his films
Avoid stepping on Bela Lugosi 'cause he's liable to turn and bite
Lugosi was known for his portrayal of horror icons like Dracula, and this line may reference his persona as a menacing or dangerous figure
But stand close by Bette Davis because hers was such a lonely life
Davis was known for her independence and strong will, but also had a fraught personal life that left her feeling isolated at times
I wish my life was a non-stop Hollywood movie show
The artist fantasizes about living a life of glamour and excitement in the film industry
A fantasy world of celluloid villains and heroes
The world of Hollywood movies is an idealized version of reality, featuring clear-cut heroes and villains
Because celluloid heroes never feel any pain
Unlike real-life people, the heroes in movies are able to overcome any obstacle with ease and without suffering
And celluloid heroes never really die
The heroes in movies can live on forever as iconic figures in the cultural imagination, transcending time and age
And those who are successful, be always on your guard
Success in the film industry can be fleeting and unpredictable, so it's important to stay vigilant and not take it for granted
Success walks hand in hand with failure along Hollywood Boulevard
In Hollywood, success and failure are often intertwined and can happen to anyone, regardless of their talent or work ethic
Contributed by Nicholas A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@zanatural
Everybody’s a dreamer and everybody’s a star
And everybody’s in movies it doesn’t matter who you are
There are stars in every city in every house and on every street
And if you walk down Hollywood Boulevard their names are written in concrete
Don’t step on Greta Garbo as you walk down the boulevard
She looks so weak and fragile that’s why she tried to be so hard
But they turned her into a princess and they sat her on a throne
But she turned her back on stardom because she wanted to be alone
Ref: You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Some that you recognise some that you’ve hardly even heard of
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain
If you covered him with garbage George Sanders would still have style
And if you stamped on Mickey Rooney he would still turn round and smile
But don’t tread on dearest Marilyn ’cos she’s not very tough
She should have been made of iron or steel but she was only flesh and blood
Ref: You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Some that you recognise some that you’ve hardly even heard of
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain [2x]
Rudolph Valentino looks very much alive
And he looks up ladies’ dresses as they sadly pass him by
Avoid stepping on Bela Lugosi ’cause he’s liable to turn and bite
But stand close by Bette Davis because hers was such a lonely life
I wish my life was a non stop hollywood movie show
A fantasy world of celluloid villains and heroes
Because celluloid heroes never feel any pain
And celluloid heroes never really die.
Everybody’s a dreamer and everybody’s a star
And everybody’s in show biz it doesn’t matter who you are
And those who are successful be always on your guard,
Success walks hand in hand with failure along Hollywood Boulevard.
@fretkillrlives
A really nice production of a classic Kinks song.
@herbo001
Ich muss ebenfalls dieses Album kaufen...es ist ein must have-danke candice danke ritchie
@wordsmi999
Beautiful song. Thanks for sharing the lyrics, too.
@h34th3n
I am really surprised that very few of you know that this is a 'The Kinks' song from their 1972 album 'Everybody's in Show-Biz'.. Regards from Spain
@wordsmi999
I just listened to this again, and this time I almost cried. I have to buy this album now!
@mikereiss4216
One of my favorite Kinks songs. I was surprised to learn BN did a cover of this.
@oldnewbie47
I am a die hard Kinks fan and had serious misgivings when I saw this on the track list, but what they did with the song I think works brilliantly. The arrangement, the key change... more a re-imagining than a remake. And for me it carry's the same emotional punch as the original. Kudos to Blackmore's Night!!
@articthunder5215
I love this song
@nikitabijoux
This song was originally written and performed by the Kinks. it's been covered by many other artists including Blackmore's Night
@TheaterRaven
4:04--"Avoid stepping on Bela Lugosi 'cause he's liable to turn and bite."
I can almost see that: Some girl walks by his star on the Walk of Fame and he playfully leans in for her neck and then winks at her like, "Relax, I'm harmless."
Ah, Bela, you were one of the greats. <3