Hollywood
Marina the Diamonds Lyrics


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American queen is the American dream
American queen is the American dream

She is a Polish girl in America
Tall, tanned hot blonde called Anya
I asked her 'Why would you wanna be a Hollywood wife?'
'Because I don't want to end up living in a dive on Vine'
I'll do anything for a dime
Looking for the golden lie

Hollywood infected your brain
You wanted kissing in the rain
Oh oh, Living in a movie scene
Puking American dreams
Oh oh, I'm obsessed with the mess that's America
I'm obsessed with the mess that's America

I fight security making plays for me
As soon as I touch down in old LA, he said,

Oh my god, you look just like Shakira
No no, you're Catherine Zeta
Actually, my name's Marina

Your mind is just like mine
All filled up with things benign
You're looking for the golden lie

Hollywood infected your brain
You wanted kissing in the rain
Oh oh, I've been living in a movie scene
Puking American dreams
Oh oh, I'm obsessed with the mess that's America
I'm obsessed with the mess that's America

American dream is the American queen
American queen is the American dream
Is the American dream
Hollywood infected your brain
You wanted kissing in the rain
Oh oh, I'm living in a movie scene
Puking American dreams
Hollywood infected your brain
You wanna kissing in the rain
Oh oh, I'm living in a movie scene
Puking American dreams




Oh oh, I'm obsessed with the mess that's America
I'm obsessed with the mess that's America

Overall Meaning

The song "Hollywood" by Marina and the Diamonds is a critique of the American entertainment industry, particularly Hollywood. The lyrics are about a Polish girl named Anya who wants to be a "Hollywood wife" because she fears living in a poor area of Los Angeles. Marina, the singer, counters that Hollywood is infecting people's minds with unrealistic expectations and dreams. They are looking for the "golden lie" rather than the truth, which leads them to the obsession with the "American dream."


The chorus of the song repeats the line "Hollywood infected your brain / You wanted kissing in the rain / Oh oh, Living in a movie scene / Puking American dreams / Oh oh, I'm obsessed with the mess that's America." This line is a play on words, as "puking" can both refer to vomiting, expressing disgust or dissatisfaction, and to "pukka" or "genuine," showing the contradiction between the idealized version of America and the reality. Marina herself admits to being obsessed with the "mess that's America" because she sees the damage that Hollywood has inflicted on people's minds and dreams.


The lyrics also depict Marina's encounters with a security guard who mistakes her for a famous celebrity and tries to hit on her. But Marina refuses to succumb to the allure of fame and instead chooses to critique it through her music. The song is a commentary on the cutthroat world of the entertainment industry, where people's dreams can be easily shattered by the harsh realities of the business.


Line by Line Meaning

American queen is the American dream
In America, the epitome of success and celebrity is the 'American queen', and achieving this level of fame and wealth is considered the ultimate 'American dream'.


She is a Polish girl in America
The singer of the song is a young, female immigrant from Poland who has come to America in pursuit of the 'American dream'.


Tall, tanned hot blonde called Anya
The singer describes her friend Anya, who embodies the ideal physical appearance for achieving fame and success in Hollywood: tall, tan, and blonde.


I asked her 'Why would you wanna be a Hollywood wife?'
The artist questions Anya's desire to marry into Hollywood's elite, likely for the status, wealth, and power it brings.


'Because I don't want to end up living in a dive on Vine'
Anya explains that she wants to avoid the pitfalls of working-class life in America by achieving success and living in luxury in Hollywood, rather than ending up in a poor neighborhood like Vine Street.


I'll do anything for a dime
The singer implies that she is willing to compromise her personal morals and beliefs in exchange for money, fame, or status in Hollywood.


Looking for the golden lie
The singer is searching for the falsehoods and illusions that make up the facade of Hollywood, the 'golden lie' that success and happiness can be attained merely by achieving fame and fortune.


Hollywood infected your brain
The constant lure of Hollywood's culture of wealth and fame has a profound effect on people's psyche and mental state, 'infecting' them with its seductive ideology.


You wanted kissing in the rain
The artist implies that Hollywood has perpetuated the idea of a perfect romantic moment, like kissing in the rain, as an idealized fantasy, despite its impracticality in reality.


Oh oh, Living in a movie scene
The artist feels as though she is living within one of the many films set in Hollywood, where things are often idyllic and dream-like, even if the reality is often harsh and unforgiving.


Puking American dreams
The reality of Hollywood often doesn't match up to the idealized 'American dream', and the singer feels nauseated by this constant contradiction.


I'm obsessed with the mess that's America
Despite acknowledging the flaws and illusions of Hollywood and the 'American dream', the artist is still obsessed with the chaos and excitement of life in America.


I fight security making plays for me
The singer is hounded by security and paparazzi hoping to get a glimpse of her, and she resists their advances and attempts at manipulation.


As soon as I touch down in old LA, he said,
Upon arriving in Los Angeles, a stranger attempts to flatter the singer by telling her she looks like a celebrity, suggesting that he is familiar with Hollywood's culture of celebrity worship.


'Oh my god, you look just like Shakira
The stranger compares the singer to the famous singer Shakira, likely in an attempt to flatter her and gain her favor.


No no, you're Catherine Zeta
The artist corrects the stranger, informing him that she is not Shakira, but rather the actress Catherine Zeta-Jones.


Actually, my name's Marina
The artist reveals her true identity to the stranger, rejecting the false glamour and persona foisted upon her by Hollywood culture.


Your mind is just like mine
The singer connects with the stranger, suggesting that he is similarly affected by the illusions and ideals of Hollywood culture.


All filled up with things benign
The singer implies that their minds are filled with empty, superficial ideas that don't hold true value or meaning.


American dream is the American queen
The concept of the 'American dream' has merged with the ideal of the 'American queen', creating an image of a perfect, powerful, and wealthy woman who represents ultimate success and happiness in America.


Oh oh, I'm living in a movie scene
The artist feels as though she is living within one of the many films set in Hollywood, where things are often idyllic and dream-like, even if the reality is often harsh and unforgiving.


Puking American dreams
The reality of Hollywood often doesn't match up to the idealized 'American dream', and the artist feels nauseated by this constant contradiction.


Oh oh, I'm obsessed with the mess that's America
Despite acknowledging the flaws and illusions of Hollywood and the 'American dream', the singer is still obsessed with the chaos and excitement of life in America.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARINA LAMBRINI DIAMANDIS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@turkeydinosaur1559

Marina is not:
- A robot
- Hungry anymore
- Shakira
- Katherine Zeta
Things marina is:
- A primadonna girl (yeah)
- Rootless
- Out of luck
Things marina believes:
- there’s no such things as a house in the country
- board games are underrated
Things she needs to believe:
- in love
What marina never thought:
- she could be happy
What marina doesn’t want:
- to feel blue anymore

Okay I came back December 2021 😭 this is my most prized accomplishment I am so in love with everyone who replied to this 🙏



@paulanji

one thing i love about the family jewels is how marina almost never mentions love (at least not romantic/sexual love).

the majority of music today, both alternative and mainstream, is lyrically about love and it gets kinda tiring after a while. like, there are other things in life to talk about too!

that's why the family jewels is such a breath of fresh air that gets better with time, like a fine wine. marina manages to make one of the most interesting pop albums of all time without mentioning love or dating much. in fact, hermit the frog is likely the only track with that lyrical theme.

on the album, she writes about:

~ life philosophy, personal fulfillment and following your dreams (ARE YOU SATISFIED?)

~ alcoholism as a coping mechanism (SHAMPAIN)

~ mental health & vulnerability, emotions and the inherent irrationality of being human
(I AM NOT A ROBOT)

~ social issues, internalized misogyny and toxic beauty standards for women (GIRLS)

~ being confused about what to do in your life and feeling pressure from the people in your life to act a certain way (MOWGLI'S ROAD)

~ intrusive thoughts and mental illness (OBSESSIONS)

~ fame and the glorification of american culture (HOLLYWOOD)

~ introversion, delinquency and feeling uncomfortable in social situations (THE OUTSIDER)

~ dysfunctional familial interpersonal relationships
(GUILTY, SEVENTEEN, THE FAMILY JEWELS)

~ feeling like you don't belong anywhere or that you don't have a home (ROOTLESS)

~ how capitalism and consumerism affect the millenial generation and being an overachiever/gifted kid who never feels happy due to feeling like they aren't good/successful enough (OH NO!)

~ depression, chronic loneliness and sadness (NUMB)



@paulanji

@@thewanderer6196 okay, i admit the main reason why i put capitalism isn't really because of the song itself, but more because of the music video, which does caricaturize consumer culture.

but there's also something about the lyric:

"if you are not very careful, your possessions will possess you."

i'm pretty new to politics & economics, but i think there might be a interpretation of that lyric that has to do with materialism? not sure if historical or dialectical.

i don't think marina wrote the song with capitalism in mind (i think she said she wrote it while doubting her own longevity as an artist and feeling like she was bound to be a failure forever), but subconsciously, some people might interpret a message there.

see, that's the beauty of art. there's (almost) never one objective interpretation. it can be looked at from many angles, depending on the observer and their inner being.



@stefn5912

Lyrics:

American queen is the American dream
American queen is the American dream
She is a Polish girl in America
Tall, tanned hot blonde called Anya
I asked her 'Why would you wanna be a Hollywood wife?'
'Because I don't want to end up living in a dive on Vine'
I'll do anything for a dime
Looking for the golden lie

Hollywood infected your brain
You wanted kissing in the rain
Oh oh, Living in a movie scene
Puking American dreams
Oh oh, I'm obsessed with the mess that's America
I'm obsessed with the mess that's America

I fight security making plays for me
As soon as I touch down in old LA, he said,
Oh my god, you look just like Shakira
No no, you're Catherine Zeta
Actually, my name's Marina

Your mind is just like mine
All filled up with things benign
You're looking for the golden lie

Hollywood infected your brain
You wanted kissing in the rain
Oh oh, I've been living in a movie scene
Puking American dreams
Oh oh, I'm obsessed with the mess that's America
I'm obsessed with the mess that's America
American dream is the American queen
American queen is the American dream
Is the American dream

Hollywood infected your brain
You wanted kissing in the rain
Oh oh, I'm living in a movie scene
Puking American dreams
Hollywood infected your brain
You wanna kissing in the rain
Oh oh, I'm living in a movie scene
Puking American dreams
Oh oh, I'm obsessed with the mess that's America
I'm obsessed with the mess that's America



All comments from YouTube:

@marinadiamandis

Can't get enough of these Hollywood videos on Tik Tok! 💗 https://Marina.lnk.to/HollywoodTikTok

@mariannacybulska4670

💐

@annathompson2601

Omg

@woho1680

Lmao yes

@brandondowd6470

Dang

@timo7597

Tik Tok is gay lol

372 More Replies...

@mxxnlight111

You know Marina's voice when you hear it. Literally no one can sing like her.

@leaf2522

EXACTLY DUDE

@minukarodrigo

most unique female voice ever

@justinthediamonds5654

That's why she's more than special and gaves me an other feeling 💎

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