Parade Ground were a largely unknown synth pop duo, consisting of Belgian b… Read Full Bio ↴Parade Ground were a largely unknown synth pop duo, consisting of Belgian brothers Pierre and Jean-Marc Pauly.

In 1983 they released their debut EP Moans on the Sly on the New Dance Label. This began their on-going affiliation with producer Daniel B., a member of the seminal Front 242.

The following year they released Man in a Trance on Front 242's label Mask including the pulsating track The Net. Continuing with more EPs their first true sign of recognition came when the A-Side from their Strange World 12" was included on the definitive compilation album This is Electronic Body Music in 1987, giving way to their only full length album, and only record issued on CD, entitled Cut Up (1988).

To help them out afterward, Front 242 brought the brothers in to collaborate on the songwriting for their 1993 album Up Evil.

"Rosary", the second album of Parade Ground will feature 15 brand new tracks, each preceded by a musical overture. While their previous record was produced by Daniel B. (Front 242) and Colin Newman (Wire) it is now Patrick Codenys (Front 242) who was in charge.

Hollywood
Parade Ground Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Had such a strange vision
Entering the world of fame
Getting to know people and places
Which I just didn't understand
A siren was my amunition
Slipping through the socialites
A forest of tiring poseurs
Hollow words and stupid rites

Hollywood out of my mind
Silly games, complete waste of time
It was such a strange vision
That I'd rather think it was a game
Talking to ever smiling faces
But willing to escape
Well I'm sick and tired of
Hollywood images out of my mind
I'm so tired of all these
Silly games
This is a complete waste of time Just when I was about
Just when I was about
Just about

You saw my soul
You saw my soul

Overall Meaning

Parade Ground's song Hollywood tells a story of an individual's experience entering the world of fame and entertainment in Hollywood. The lyrics speak to the confusion and alienation that can arise from being thrust into a world full of people and places that the singer does not understand. The siren that provides ammunition for the singer's entry into this world is a symbol of the allure and seduction of fame. However, as the singer begins to navigate this strange new world, they encounter socialites who are simply posing and engaging in hollow and meaningless rituals. The singer becomes disillusioned with this world and declares that they are tired of the "silly games" and the "complete waste of time" that defines Hollywood.

The repeated refrain of "Hollywood out of my mind" underscores the singer's desire to distance themselves from the superficiality and emptiness that they have encountered. The final lines, "Just when I was about/ You saw my soul" suggest a moment of recognition and connection, perhaps with another person who is able to see beyond the facade of Hollywood and understand the singer's true self.

Line by Line Meaning

Had such a strange vision
I had a peculiar experience

Entering the world of fame
Going in the world of popular celebrity

Getting to know people and places
Becoming familiar with individuals and locations

Which I just didn't understand
That I just didn't comprehend

A siren was my ammunition
I had nothing else but allure as my aid

Slipping through the socialites
Passing by through the elite class

A forest of tiring poseurs
A lot of boring pretenders

Hollow words and stupid rites
Meaningless expressions and pointless traditions

Hollywood out of my mind
I don't want to think about Hollywood

Silly games, complete waste of time
Childish affairs, nothing but time-wasting

It was such a strange vision
It was a peculiar sight for me