Hollywood Tonight – English Lyrics

• By: Michael Jackson

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a linguistic journey with Michael Jackson's "Hollywood Tonight"! This vibrant R&B and Hip Hop track, layered with a compelling narrative, offers a unique opportunity to explore English vocabulary related to dreams, ambition, and the complexities of reality. Listen closely to the lyrics to understand the cautionary tale embedded within its energetic beats, and discover how Michael Jackson's storytelling transcends language barriers, making it a special piece for any language learner.

[English]

Lipstick in hand, Tahitian tanned

In her painted on jeans

She dreams of fame

She changed her name

To one that fits the movie screen

She's headed for the big time, that means

She's going Hollywood

She's going Hollywood tonight

She's going Hollywood

She's going Hollywood tonight

She's going Hollywood

She's going Hollywood tonight

It's true, that you, may never ever have that chance again

(That chance again, babe)

Westbound Greyhound to Tinseltown

To pursue her movie star dreams

And she's giving hot tricks to men

Just to get in

She was taught that that's not clean

She's headed for the big time, that means

She's going Hollywood

She's going Hollywood tonight

She's going Hollywood

She's going Hollywood tonight

She's going Hollywood

She's going Hollywood tonight

It's true, that you, may never ever have that chance again

(That chance again, babe)

She gave up her life, to follow her dreams

Left behind everything, for the movie scene

Nothing more she could want, she was determined to follow her plan

She wanted Hollywood, she wanted it bad

Now that she got her dream, she became a star

It all looked so good, but only good from afar

Imprisoned in every paparazzi's camera, every guy wished they could

Now it's back to reality, for Ms. Hollywood

Lipstick in hand, Tahitian tanned

In her painted on jeans

She dreams of fame

She changed her name

To one that fits the movie screen

She's headed for the big time, that means

She's going Hollywood

She's going Hollywood tonight

She's going Hollywood

She's going Hollywood tonight

She's going Hollywood

She's going Hollywood tonight

It's true, that you, may never ever have that chance again

(That chance again, babe)

You know it baby

Westbound Greyhound to Tinseltown

To pursue her movie star dreams (That chance again, babe)

Westbound Greyhound to Tinseltown

To pursue her movie star dreams (You know it baby)

Westbound Greyhound to Tinseltown

To pursue her movie star dreams (Hollywood, she's Hollywood)

Westbound Greyhound to Tinseltown

To pursue her movie star dreams

(She's Hollywood, she's Hollywood)

(She's Hollywood, she's Hollywood)

(Hollywood, she's Hollywood)

(Hollywood, she's Hollywood)

(She's Hollywood, she's Hollywood)

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
Hollywood /ˈhɒliwʊd/ B2	noun - a district in Los Angeles, California, famous for the film industry
dream /driːm/ A2	noun - a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep verb - to have a desire for something
fame /feɪm/ B2	noun - the state of being widely known and liked
chance /tʃɑːns/ A2	noun - an opportunity to do something
star /stɑːr/ A2	noun - a famous person or performer verb - to be a star
scene /siːn/ B1	noun - a place where an event happens
reality /rɪˈæləti/ B1	noun - the state of things as they actually exist
tanned /tænd/ B1	adjective - having a darker skin color from exposure to the sun
painted /ˈpeɪntɪd/ B1	adjective - covered with paint
pursue /pərˈsuː/ B2	verb - to try to do or achieve something
determined /dɪˈtɜːrmɪnd/ B2	adjective - firmly deciding to do something
imprisoned /ɪmˈprɪznd/ C1	adjective - confined in prison
paparazzi /pəˈpærætsi/ C1	noun - freelance photographers who follow celebrities to take their pictures
tricks /trɪks/ B1	noun - clever or skillful acts
westbound /ˈwɛstbaʊnd/ B1	adjective - traveling in a westerly direction