Hollywood Tonight

Album: Michael (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Originally written during the recording of 2001's Invincible album, this song warns about the dangers of chasing your dream in Tinseltown.
  • Teddy Riley produced the song. The '80s New Jack Swing pioneer had worked with Michael since his 1991 set, Dangerous. Riley also wrote the song's spoken bridges, which are performed by Michael's nephew, Taryll Jackson.
  • The song was finally completed in 2010 and included on Jackson's first posthumous album, Michael. It received its television debut on December 3, 2010, when talk show host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres premiered the tune on The Ellen DeGeneres Show while dancing throughout the audience.
  • Brad Buxer also has a songwriting credit on this track. Buxer is a keyboardist, producer, arranger and touring musical director who worked with Jackson on many projects. In February 2010 the musician claimed that he was owed over $47,839 for "music development, production and performance," and filed a claim with the executors of Michael's estate.
  • Riley told Billboard magazine that he had Jackson's more danceable hits in mind when concocting its sound. "I was looking at just doing the next level of 'Billie Jean' meets 'Dangerous' or 'Doggin' Me Around,'" said the producer." "It's like one of those driving bass lines that you will remember."
  • The song's music video was directed by Wayne Isham, who also helmed Jackson's 1995 clip for "You Are Not Alone." It was shot at the sidewalk and the street in front of the Pantages Theatre at Hollywood, California and stars Algeria-born female French dancer Sofia Boutella, whose look and outfit was based on Jackson's style. The storyline charts the journey of a young woman arriving in Hollywood from an American small town with her dream to be a star; though her ambition is to be a dancer, her story represents the struggle for every artist or musician struggling to make it in the world.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Protest Songs

Protest SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")Songwriter Interviews

Holly Knight talks about some of the hit songs she wrote, including "The Warrior," "Never" and "The Best," and explains some songwriting philosophy, including how to think of a bridge.

Psychedelic Lyrics

Psychedelic LyricsMusic Quiz

Whoa man! Do you know which band came up with these cosmic lyrics?

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.