Hollywood
Jay-Z & Beyonce Knowles Lyrics


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It ain't for everybody!(uh)
welcome to hollywood baby(take a picture)
uh huhYou're coming with? (let's not even talk about it)
Let's do it (let's go!)
I see your jealousy as you're watching
You're watchingIt's kinda sexy to me how you're watching
You're watching
I see your face (I see your face)
You wanna touch it (you wanna touch it)
Come to my place (come to my crib)
And let's discuss it (let's chop it up)
Tonight you'll be (tonight you're gonna be a superstar)
A superstar
Come let me sign you up(let's get into it)
Oh it's the lights (you're blinded by the)
Action! (you need that)
HollywoodOh it's the lights (you're blinded by the)
Satisfaction! (you need that)
Hollywood
You got to get it
Oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Do you want it
Oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
But you don't need it
Oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
What do you do?
Oh oh oh
What do you do?
Oh oh oh
HeyI see your face (I see your face)
You wanna touch it (you wanna touch it)
Come to my place (come to my crib)
And let's discuss it (let's chop it up)
Tonight you'll be (tonight you gonna' be a superstar)
A superstar
Come let me sign you upOh it's the lights (you're blinded by the)
Action! (you need that)
Hollywood
Oh it's the lights (you're blinded by the)
Satisfaction! (you need that)
Hollywood
You hear it screaming
Oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Camera's rolling
Oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
So addictive
Oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Like hollywood
Oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
And everybody is warning you about it
And once you taste you can't live without it
Not 'cause you choose to not live without it It's now a part of you It's now a part of you
And everybody warning you about it
And once you taste you can't live
Ooh it's the lights (it's the lights)
Action! (action)
Hollywood (Hollywood)
Ooh it's the lights (satisfaction)
Satisfaction! (so addictive)(hey)
Hollywood (hollywood)
Now you wanna be seen
Male groupiesNow you become what you once despisedJames
DeanJohn Belushi
Blow your whole lifeTryna live in the lights
Heroins following marilyn hoppin'
Over the edgesJust like Janis joplin
River phoenixJimi HendrixJim morrison
All of them ended by Hollywood
I see your face and a you wanna touch




Come to my place and we can discuss it
Hollywood, welcome to hollywood""

Overall Meaning

The song "Hollywood" by Jay-Z and Beyonce is a commentary on the allure and danger of the entertainment industry. The opening lines of the song, "It ain't for everybody" sets the tone of exclusivity and the notion that not everyone can make it big in Hollywood. The lyrics then delve into the power dynamics at play, with Beyonce singing about how sexy it is to be watched, while Jay-Z warns of the dangers of becoming addicted to the lights and the rush of being in the industry. The chorus repeats the seductive, alluring nature of Hollywood – "Oh it's the lights / Action! / Hollywood / Oh it's the lights / Satisfaction! / Hollywood" – while also warning of its addictive properties, as evidenced by the list of stars who died young that Jay-Z recites.


Throughout the song, there is a sense of tension between these two perspectives. Beyonce, who sings about wanting to be a superstar, is seduced by the industry's promises of fame, while Jay-Z, who has already achieved such success, knows the darker underbelly of the system. He mentions James Dean, John Belushi, and River Phoenix, all of whom died young after living fast and furiously in the spotlight. By juxtaposing these warning anecdotes with the seductive chorus, the song highlights the allure and danger of the entertainment industry, arguing that in Hollywood, there is often a thin line between reaching the top and crashing down.


Line by Line Meaning

It ain't for everybody!(uh)
Not everyone can handle the glitz and glamour of Hollywood


welcome to hollywood baby(take a picture)
A grand entrance to the vibrant city of Hollywood


uh huhYou're coming with? (let's not even talk about it)
The seductive invitation to join the artist in their flashy life


Let's do it (let's go!)
Enthusiastically encouraging you to embrace their luxurious life


I see your jealousy as you're watching
The recognition of envy in others as they watch the lavish lifestyle of the artist


You're watchingIt's kinda sexy to me how you're watching
The pleasure that the artist takes in being admired and adored by others


I see your face (I see your face)
The acknowledgment of the desire in others for the artist's life


You wanna touch it (you wanna touch it)
The longing for the artist's affluent lifestyle


Come to my place (come to my crib)
The invitation to join the artist in their luxurious abode


And let's discuss it (let's chop it up)
The eagerness to share insights on life in Hollywood


Tonight you'll be (tonight you're gonna be a superstar)
The promise of exceptional experiences in Hollywood


A superstar
The aspiration for greatness in Hollywood


Come let me sign you up(let's get into it)
The beckoning to join the ranks of the elite in Hollywood


Oh it's the lights (you're blinded by the)
The fascination with the dazzling lights of Hollywood


Action! (you need that)
The addiction to excitement and adventure in Hollywood


Hollywood
The vibrant and thriving city of fame and fortune


You got to get it
The push to strive for success in Hollywood


But you don't need it
The understanding that not everyone is suited for the frivolities of Hollywood


What do you do?
The contemplation of how to approach life in Hollywood


HeyI see your face (I see your face)
The recognition of the intrigue others have for Hollywood


And let's discuss it (let's chop it up)
The eagerness of the artist to share their insights on Hollywood


Tonight you'll be (tonight you gonna' be a superstar)
The promise of an exceptional experience in Hollywood


A superstar
The aspiration for greatness in Hollywood


You hear it screaming
The constant buzz and excitement of Hollywood


Camera's rolling
The omnipresence of cameras and paparazzi in Hollywood


So addictive
The irresistible and alluring charm of Hollywood


Like hollywood
The captivating and addictive nature of the city of Hollywood


And everybody is warning you about it
The cautionary tales and advice given to those entering Hollywood


And once you taste you can't live without it
The realization that once you've tasted the allure of Hollywood, it's hard to leave


Not 'cause you choose to not live without it It's now a part of you It's now a part of you
The idea that once you embrace life in Hollywood, it becomes a part of who you are


Now you wanna be seen
The newfound desire for recognition once immersed in Hollywood


Male groupies
The attraction and attention from fans and admirers in Hollywood


Now you become what you once despised
The realization that life in Hollywood changes you


Blow your whole lifeTryna live in the lights
The danger of losing oneself while trying to attain fame in Hollywood


Heroins following marilyn hoppin'
The tragic fate of some Hollywood icons who lost themselves in addiction


Over the edgesJust like Janis joplin
The tragic end of Janis Joplin, who succumbed to the pressures of Hollywood


River phoenixJimi HendrixJim morrison
The lost potential of Hollywood icons whose lives were cut short


All of them ended by Hollywood
The idea that Hollywood can be a dangerous place that can lead to one's downfall


Hollywood, welcome to hollywood"
The welcoming of newcomers to the vibrant and alluring city of Hollywood




Contributed by Eliana O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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