In 1991, Praga Khan met Oliver Adams and along with Jade 4U, formed the production team MNO (comprised of the first letter of their forenames). Shortly after, they produced a series of popular British rave hits. The most popular, "Injected With A Poison", which hit the #16 spot in the UK and #1 in Japan.
While taking a break from his several side projects, Praga Khan released his first studio album, "Conquers Your Love", in 1996. Several albums followed a little while later; Pragamatic in 1998, Twenty First Century Skin in 1999, Mutant Funk in 2000, Mixed Up in 2001 and Freakazoidz in 2002.
A lucky break also happened when Paul Verhoeven, during the shooting of Basic Instinct, walked into "The Limelight" disco in New York, looking for a song for his movie. When the track "Rave the Rhythm" was played, he stepped up to the DJ and asked who that was. The song was included on the soundtrack, after which a whole bunch of other movies followed including Sliver, Virtuosity, Strange Days, Bad Lieutenant and Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.
Praga Khan also worked on the soundtrack for the first Mortal Kombat game and the first movie's popular "Techno Syndrome" (the de facto Mortal Kombat theme) under the moniker "The Immortals"; thus also responsible for the camp classic line from the Sub-Zero theme, "Chinese ninja warrior, with your heart so cold..."
Contribution to the theatrical scene was made with his musical collaborations in The Next Dimension (2005) and Code Red.
Hollywood
Praga Khan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trippin' on the beat of a celluloid dream
Hollywood
City of the silver screen
Capitol of dreams
I'm hanging out with style on rodeo drive
Acting in the strong white beam of the eye
In my Mercedes-Benz
Ready for a jet set night, celluloid pride
Under the neon lights
One day, you're gonna be a movie star
One day, you're gonna lead a life bizarre
One day, you're gonna be a movie star
One day, you're gonna have a star on the Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood
Out for a night on the town
Me and my mistress in a gown
Real chique, strutting out stuff in the street
Swinging on a funky beat
So cool, me in my convertible car
Driving to a fancy cocktail bar
With flare, hanging with my tv friends
Signing boobs and shaking hands
One day, you're gonna be a movie star
One day, you're gonna lead a life bizarre
One day, you're gonna be a movie star
One day, you're gonna have a star on the Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood
The glamour and the glits and the dreams
It's my kinda scene, it's my kinda style
It's a way of life
Walking down the sunset strip, so hip
Dining at Le Dome, shopping at Segal
Out for a brunch in a Malibu mall
Me, my surgeon and my shrink
We're having such a blast with our glittering cast
One day, you're gonna be a movie star
One day, you're gonna lead a life bizarre
One day, you're gonna be a movie star
One day, you're gonna have a star on the Hollywood Boulevard
One day you're gonna have a star
One day on the Hollywood Boulevard
The song "Hollywood" by Praga Khan is an ode to the glamorous and glittering lifestyle of Hollywood, California. In the first stanza, he describes sweating in the California heat, set to the beat of a celluloid dream, referring to his own experience of being caught up in the glamour of Hollywood. He goes on to describe cruising around the city with his friends in his Mercedes-Benz, enjoying the neon lights and dreaming of stardom. The chorus then reinforces this desire for fame and fortune, with the repeated line "One day, you're gonna be a movie star."
The second stanza sees Khan and his mistress strutting their stuff in the street, living the high life and indulging in fancy cocktail bars with television friends. They are living the dream of an aspiring actor, with Khan describing the scene as "real chique" and "swinging on a funky beat." The final stanza reinforces this lifestyle with references to dining at fancy restaurants, shopping in high-end stores, and hanging out with doctors and therapists. The song ends with a refrain of the chorus, urging the listener to hold on to the dream of one day having a star on the Hollywood Boulevard.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the allure of fame and fortune that has drawn many people to Hollywood over the years. It captures the seductive nature of the city, with its glamour, wealth, and beautiful people, while also highlighting the often unrealistic and unhealthy expectations that aspiring actors and celebrities are held to.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweating in the California heat
Struggling in the scorching weather of California
Trippin' on the beat of a celluloid dream
Getting lost in the fantasy world portrayed in movies
City of the silver screen
Hollywood, the hub of the movie-making industry
Capitol of dreams
Hollywood, the place where numerous people come to fulfill their dreams of becoming a movie star
I'm hanging out with style on rodeo drive
I'm enjoying a posh lifestyle on Rodeo Drive
Acting in the strong white beam of the eye
Acting under the bright lights of the camera
So cool, driving in my car, me and my friends
Feeling awesome while driving in my car with my buddies
In my Mercedes-Benz
Driving my luxurious Mercedes-Benz car
Ready for a jet set night, celluloid pride
Excited for a glamorous night out, feeling proud to be associated with Hollywood
Under the neon lights
Amidst the dazzling neon lights of the city
Out for a night on the town
Heading out to enjoy the nightlife
Me and my mistress in a gown
With my lover dressed in a formal attire
Real chique, strutting out stuff in the street
Looking very fashionable while walking on the street
Swinging on a funky beat
Dancing to trendy music
So cool, me in my convertible car
Feeling great while driving my convertible car
Driving to a fancy cocktail bar
Heading towards a luxurious place to have some drinks
With flare, hanging with my TV friends
Having a good time with my friends who work in the TV industry in style
Signing boobs and shaking hands
Interacting with fans and signing autographs
The glamour and the glits and the dreams
The luxury and the dream-like aspects of Hollywood
It's my kinda scene, it's my kinda style
Feeling comfortable and enjoying the ambiance of the city
It's a way of life
Hollywood is not just a place, it's a lifestyle
Walking down the sunset strip, so hip
Strolling on Sunset Strip, which is known for its trendy vibe
Dining at Le Dome, shopping at Segal
Having dinner at Le Dome or shopping at Segal, which are popular and expensive places in Hollywood
Out for a brunch in a Malibu mall
Enjoying a mid-day meal at a mall in Malibu
Me, my surgeon and my shrink
Spending time with my cosmetic surgeon and therapist
We're having such a blast with our glittering cast
Having a great time with our group of influential people
One day, you're gonna have a star
Someday, you'll have a star on the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame
Contributed by Mia A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.