Hollywood
Jay-Z (ft. Beyoncé) Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

It ain't for everybody
Welcome to Hollywood, baby
Take my picture
You comin' with?
Let's not even talk about it
Let's do it
Let's go
I see your jealousy as you're watching (I see you watching)
You're watching (it's all good)
It's kinda sexy to me (I love it)
How you're watching, you're watching
I see your face (I see your face)
You want to touch it (you want to touch it)
Come to my place (come to the crib)
And let's discuss it (let's chop it up)
Tonight you'll be (tonight you goin' be a superstar, baby)
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)
Hollywood (uh, uh, uh, uh)
Oh, it's the lights (you're blinded by the)
Satisfaction (you need that)
Hollywood (uh, uh, uh, uh, c'mon)

Paparazzi spots me in the lobby of my high rise
I hide behind my shades because the fame is blindin' my eyes
My god, I know how Ozzy Oz must have felt when he was Oz hot
As I have got, I have got to make this stop
People often warn me that the fame ain't for the faint of heart
It'll change those who said they had love for you into strangers
When your fame starts, it's a chain reaction
Locomotion like when a train departs
Stranger things have happened
Rappin', stackin' platinum plaquin'
Born in Brooklyn, got a place in Manhattan
Goin' back to Brooklyn to escape the madness
When your friends is Chris and Gwyneth
When your girl is more famous than Juventus
Then it's time to get all your windows tinted
Keep your eyes squinted, it's goin' flash any minute
The music biz is like musical chairs
It's about where you standin' when the music stop spinnin'

Oh, it's the lights (you're blinded by the)
Action! (you need that)
Hollywood (uh, uh, uh, uh)
Oh, it's the lights (you're blinded by the)
Satisfaction (you need that)
Hollywood (uh, uh, uh, uh, c'mon)

You got to get it
Do you want it?
But you don't need it
Till you do, till you do

Hey mister, page sixer
A-lister, you're in the midst of
The ride of your life, but you gotta keep them hits up
Can't put your guard down, gotta keep your mitts up
Take a sip, sir, it's so intoxicating ain't it?
Try not to get jaded
Hollywood's been good to ya
Startin' to feel like buzz to ya
Don't lie, go on fly, you're addicted to the light
Without the fame, how you gon' survive?
It's like livin' on heroin, you so high

And everybody's warning you about it (I tried to tell you)
And once you taste it you can't live without it (it's addicting)
Not 'cause you choose to not live without it (you sure you want this, baby?)
It's now a part of you, it's now a part of you (it's a part of you)
And everybody's warning you about it
And once you taste it you can't leave

Oh, it's the lights (you're blinded by the)
Action (you need that)
Hollywood (uh, uh, uh, uh)
Oh, it's the lights (you're blinded by the)
Satisfaction (you need that)
Hollywood (uh, uh, uh, uh, c'mon)

Wanna be seen now, groupies
Now you've become what you once despised
James Dean, John Belushi, blow your whole life trying to live in the lights
Heroin's following, Marilyn hopping over the edge
It's like Janis Joplin
River Pheonix, Jimi Hendrix
Jimmy Morrison, all of them ended by Hollywood
Thank God for Hollywood
Hollywood
You sure you want this, baby?
Hollywood, it's the most addictive drug in the world




You want the fame
You want the lights

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jay-Z (ft. Beyoncé)'s "Hollywood" describes the glamorous yet demanding lifestyle of the entertainment industry. In the song, Jay-Z talks about the temptations that come with fame, while Beyoncé sings about the thrill of being watched and adored, even if it's not by everyone. The song touches on the idea that once you have a taste of fame, you can't live without it. It's like an addictive drug that takes over your life and changes the way people view you. Jay-Z shares his views on how fame changes the people around you and the importance of not giving in to the pressure.


The chorus of the song, "Oh, it's the lights, Action! Hollywood" highlights the sparkle and shine of the entertainment industry. The paparazzi chase celebrities, capturing every move they make, and constantly keeping them in the spotlight. All the attention can be intoxicating and make you feel like a superstar. The lyrics also mention the consequences of fame that have brought down many legendary stars. Jay-Z emphasizes the fact that the music and entertainment industry is like a game of musical chairs, and it's not about the quality of the music, but about where you stand when the music stops spinning. The song serves as a reminder of the challenges that come with fame and the importance of staying grounded and true to oneself.


Line by Line Meaning

It ain't for everybody
Not everyone can handle the spotlight and pressures of Hollywood.


Welcome to Hollywood, baby
Get ready for a wild ride in the entertainment industry.


Take my picture
Let's capture this moment and make it last forever.


You comin' with?
Are you ready to join me on this journey?


Let's not even talk about it
No need to discuss the risks and challenges, let's just go for it.


Let's do it
Let's take action and pursue our dreams.


Let's go
Let's get started and enjoy the ride.


I see your jealousy as you're watching (I see you watching)
I can sense your envy and desire to be in my position.


You're watching (it's all good)
I don't mind you observing me and my success.


It's kinda sexy to me (I love it)
I find it attractive and thrilling when people are intrigued by my life.


How you're watching, you're watching
The way you're observing me and my lifestyle is captivating.


I see your face (I see your face)
I can see the expression on your face.


You want to touch it (you want to touch it)
You desire to experience and be a part of this lifestyle.


Come to my place (come to the crib)
Let's meet up at my home.


And let's discuss it (let's chop it up)
We can talk about our thoughts and feelings in more detail.


Tonight you'll be (tonight you goin' be a superstar, baby)
You will shine and stand out like a superstar tonight.


A superstar
You will be the center of attention and admired by many.


Come, let me sign you up (let's get into it)
Let's make this official and start working together.


Oh, it's the lights (you're blinded by the)
The bright lights of Hollywood have blinded you.


Action! (You need that)
The excitement and fast-paced nature of the entertainment industry is addicting.


Hollywood (uh, uh, uh, uh)
This is the city where dreams come true and anything is possible.


Satisfaction (you need that)
You crave the satisfaction and recognition that comes with success in Hollywood.


Hollywood (uh, uh, uh, uh, c'mon)
Let's embrace and enjoy all that Hollywood has to offer.


Paparazzi spots me in the lobby of my high rise
The photographers are always looking for a shot of me in my luxury building.


I hide behind my shades because the fame is blindin' my eyes
I wear sunglasses to protect myself from the negative effects of fame.


My god, I know how Ozzy Oz must have felt when he was Oz hot
I can relate to how Ozzy Osbourne must have felt when he was at the peak of his fame.


As I have got, I have got to make this stop
I need to find a way to balance my success with my personal life and well-being.


People often warn me that the fame ain't for the faint of heart
Many people caution me that fame can be difficult to handle and navigate.


It'll change those who said they had love for you into strangers
Fame can make people who once supported and loved me turn into people I don't recognize.


When your fame starts, it's a chain reaction
Once you start getting famous, it becomes a cycle of events and opportunities.


Locomotion like when a train departs
The momentum of my fame is like a train that sets off on its journey.


Stranger things have happened
Crazier and more unexpected things have occurred in Hollywood than my rise to fame.


Rappin', stackin' platinum plaquin'
I'm a successful rapper who has earned multiple platinum records.


Born in Brooklyn, got a place in Manhattan
I was born and raised in Brooklyn, but now I reside in Manhattan.


Goin' back to Brooklyn to escape the madness
Sometimes I need to return to my roots in Brooklyn to get away from the craziness of the entertainment world.


When your friends is Chris and Gwyneth
When your close friends are famous celebrities like Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow.


When your girl is more famous than Juventus
When your partner is more well-known than one of the most successful football clubs in the world.


Then it's time to get all your windows tinted
It's important to protect your privacy and personal life from the constant attention of the public.


Keep your eyes squinted, it's goin' flash any minute
Stay alert and ready for anything because a photo opportunity or news story can come up at any moment.


The music biz is like musical chairs
The music industry is a game of strategy and positioning oneself in the right place at the right time.


It's about where you standin' when the music stop spinnin'
Success in the music industry depends on being in the right place at the right time when opportunities arise.


Action! (you need that)
The fast-paced and exciting nature of the entertainment industry is addicting and energizing.


You got to get it
You have to strive for success and never give up.


Do you want it?
Are you truly willing to do whatever it takes to achieve success in the entertainment industry?


But you don't need it
Success in the entertainment industry is not a necessity to live a fulfilling life.


Till you do, till you do
You may not realize the importance of success in the entertainment industry until you achieve it.


Hey mister, page sixer
Addressing a paparazzo from the New York Post gossip column, Page Six.


A-lister, you're in the midst of
You're photographing and documenting a high-profile celebrity.


The ride of your life, but you gotta keep them hits up
Being in the entertainment industry is thrilling, but it requires constant success and maintaining your image to remain relevant.


Can't put your guard down, gotta keep your mitts up
You can't let go of your defenses and must always be prepared for the attention and scrutiny that comes with being famous.


Take a sip, sir, it's so intoxicating ain't it?
The glamour and excitement of the entertainment industry is alluring and addictive.


Try not to get jaded
Try to maintain your enthusiasm and positive outlook despite the challenges and negative aspects of the entertainment industry.


Hollywood's been good to ya
The entertainment industry has been beneficial and rewarding for you.


Startin' to feel like buzz to ya
The highs and excitement of the entertainment industry are starting to feel like a drug addiction.


Don't lie, go on fly, you're addicted to the light
Don't deny that you've become addicted to the spotlight and attention that comes with fame.


Without the fame, how you gon' survive?
You feel like you need the fame and success in the entertainment industry to survive and be happy.


It's like livin' on heroin, you so high
The feeling of success in the entertainment industry is so exhilarating that it's like being on drugs.


And everybody's warning you about it (I tried to tell you)
Everyone around you is warning you about the negative effects of being in the entertainment industry.


And once you taste it you can't live without it (it's addicting)
Once you experience success in the entertainment industry, it becomes addictive and hard to let go of.


Not 'cause you choose to not live without it (you sure you want this, baby?)
You feel like you can't let go of the entertainment industry, not because you choose not to, but because it's hard to imagine life without it.


It's now a part of you, it's now a part of you (it's a part of you)
The entertainment industry has become a defining part of who you are and your identity.


Wanna be seen now, groupies
You crave attention and are surrounded by people who are interested in your fame and success.


Now you've become what you once despised
You've turned into the very thing that you once criticized and disliked about the entertainment industry.


James Dean, John Belushi, blow your whole life trying to live in the lights
Famous and talented individuals like James Dean and John Belushi lost their lives while trying to live up to the hype and pressures of the entertainment industry.


Heroin's following, Marilyn hopping over the edge
Even iconic and legendary figures like Marilyn Monroe have struggled and fallen victim to the negative effects of fame and addiction.


It's like Janis Joplin, River Pheonix, Jimi Hendrix
These famous musicians and entertainers also experienced difficulties and ultimately lost their lives while navigating the entertainment industry.


All of them ended by Hollywood
The entertainment industry and Hollywood played a significant role in the lives and deaths of these famous individuals.


Thank God for Hollywood
Despite the challenges and negative aspects of the entertainment industry, it has also brought joy and excitement to many people.


Hollywood
The center of the entertainment industry and the city of dreams.


You sure you want this, baby?
Are you absolutely certain that you want to pursue fame and success in the entertainment industry?


Hollywood, it's the most addictive drug in the world
The entertainment industry and success in Hollywood can be as addicting as any drug.


You want the fame
Deep down, you desire to be famous and successful.


You want the lights
You crave the spotlight and attention that comes with being a celebrity.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Shawn Carter, Reginald Perry, Schaffer Smith

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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