Hollywood
jay-z ft beyonce Lyrics


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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 song "Hollywood" by Jay-Z featuring Beyonce is a commentary on the seduction of fame and how it can change people. The lyrics suggest that Hollywood isn't for everyone, but there is something addictive about the bright lights, and those who are drawn to them fear losing their place in the spotlight. The song is also about the power dynamic between the famous and the not-famous, and the potential dangers of fame, as Jay-Z reflects on stories of celebrities who have lost their lives to drugs and other Hollywood excesses.


The first verse of the song sets the tone, with Jay-Z inviting the listener to join him in Hollywood, while acknowledging that it's not for everyone. The lyrics suggest that there is something alluring about the place, but at the same time, Jay-Z also acknowledges that there are negative aspects to fame, such as jealousy and the loss of privacy. The second verse explores the potential dangers of fame, with Jay-Z referencing several celebrities who died young after struggling with addiction or other Hollywood excesses. By the end of the song, it becomes clear that fame is both an addiction and a danger, and that those who seek it may not always be aware of what they're getting themselves into.


Overall, "Hollywood" is a commentary on the dark side of fame and what it can do to people. The song warns against the seduction of the bright lights and the need to stay grounded and aware of the potential dangers of celebrity culture.


Line by Line Meaning

It ain't for everybody
Not everyone can handle the intense pressure of Hollywood


Welcome to Hollywood, baby
A celebratory greeting to the glamour and fame of Hollywood


Take my picture
I am willing to pose for a photo as a way of showing off my fame


You comin' with?
Are you ready to experience the bright lights of Hollywood with me?


Let's not even talk about it
We don't need to discuss the potential negative consequences of chasing after fame


Let's do it
Let's dive headfirst into the world of Hollywood and pursue fame and fortune


I see your jealousy as you're watching (I see you watching)
I can see the envy in your eyes as you observe my celebrity status


You're watching (it's all good)
I don't mind that you're staring at me, in fact, it's kind of flattering


It's kinda sexy to me (I love it)
I find it alluring when people are attracted to my fame and success


How you're watching, you're watching
I can't help but notice how intently you're looking at me


I see your face (I see your face)
I can clearly see the admiration and desire in your expression


You want to touch it (you want to touch it)
You're so drawn to my celebrity status that you want to physically interact with me


Come to my place (come to the crib)
Let's continue this conversation in a more intimate setting


And let's discuss it (let's chop it up)
Let's have a candid conversation about the effects of fame on our lives


Tonight you'll be (tonight you goin' be a superstar, baby)
I will make you feel like a celebrity and give you a taste of the fame you crave


A superstar
Someone who is idolized and revered by the public due to their fame and success


Come, let me sign you up (let's get into it)
Let me help you enter the world of Hollywood and become a famous person like myself


Oh, it's the lights (you're blinded by the)
The bright lights of Hollywood are overwhelming and can affect people's vision


Action! (You need that)
The constant excitement and adrenaline of Hollywood is what drives people to continue seeking fame


Hollywood (uh, uh, uh, uh)
A reference to the entertainment industry that is known for its glitz and glamour


Paparazzi spots me in the lobby of my high rise
The constant attention and scrutiny from paparazzi is a part of everyday life for celebrities


I hide behind my shades because the fame is blindin' my eyes
The intense spotlight on celebrities can be overwhelming and blinding to the point where they need to wear sunglasses for protection


My god, I know how Ozzy Oz must have felt when he was Oz hot
Referring to the intense fame and attention that Ozzy Osbourne experienced during the peak of his career


As I have got, I have got to make this stop
Despite the success and fame, the artist feels the need to take a step back and evaluate the effects of their celebrity status


People often warn me that the fame ain't for the faint of heart
Others caution celebrities that the challenges that come with fame require a strong will and thick skin


It'll change those who said they had love for you into strangers
The pressures of fame can cause people who were previously close to you to become distant and unrecognizable


When your fame starts, it's a chain reaction
Fame can spiral out of control and quickly become overwhelming


Locomotion like when a train departs
The effect of fame is like the motion of a train leaving the station - it starts slow but rapidly gains momentum


Stranger things have happened
The unpredictable nature of fame can lead to unexpected outcomes and circumstances


Rappin', stackin' platinum plaquin'
A reference to the singer's successful career in the music industry, with multiple platinum records


Born in Brooklyn, got a place in Manhattan
The singer's humble beginnings in Brooklyn and eventual success in Manhattan serves as a symbol of the American Dream


Goin' back to Brooklyn to escape the madness
Occasionally, even the brightest lights of Hollywood can be overwhelming and the artist needs to take a break to regroup


When your friends is Chris and Gwyneth
The artist's social circle includes famous celebrities such as Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow


When your girl is more famous than Juventus
A reference to the artist's wife, Beyoncé, who is such a huge sensation that her fame rivals even that of the popular soccer club Juventus


Then it's time to get all your windows tinted
On occasion, the singer feels the need to protect themselves and their privacy by tinting their car windows


Keep your eyes squinted, it's goin' flash any minute
The paparazzi are always lurking and ready to take a photo at a moment's notice, so the artist must always be on guard


The music biz is like musical chairs
The music industry is incredibly competitive and constantly changing, with artists constantly vying for a spot in the limelight


It's about where you standin' when the music stop spinnin'
Success in the music industry is often related to being in the right place at the right time


Wanna be seen now, groupies
People who were formerly unknown may begin seeking fame themselves after seeing others become famous


Now you've become what you once despised
People who were formerly critical of fame may find themselves becoming drawn to it once they experience it for themselves


James Dean, John Belushi, blow your whole life trying to live in the lights
A reference to famous actors who died tragically as a result of their addiction to Hollywood and the spotlight


Heroin's following, Marilyn hopping over the edge
Referencing the pressure of stardom that led Marilyn Monroe to suicide and the dangerous glamorization of drugs in Hollywood


It's like Janis Joplin
Another tragic example of a musician destroyed by the fame and limelight of Hollywood


River Pheonix, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Morrison, all of them ended by Hollywood
Alluding to famous Hollywood deaths of talented actors and musicians whose lives were ended too soon as a result of the excessive and unforgiving nature of stardom


Thank God for Hollywood
A sarcastic, somewhat bitter phrase highlighting the destructive nature of Hollywood and celebrity culture


You sure you want this, baby?
A warning to those considering entering the entertainment industry about the negative and potentially dangerous effects of fame


Hollywood, it's the most addictive drug in the world
The all-consuming draw of fame and celebrity is stronger than any other addiction


You want the fame
Despite the possible dangers and negative consequences, the lure of fame is too strong to resist




Lyrics © 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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