Hollywood Whore

Album: Metamorphosis (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In our interview with Tobin Esperance of Papa Roach, he said the band wrote the track out of disgust for the Hollywood lifestyle: "'Hollywood Whore' was a song about basically what was going on in the media, like Paris Hilton, TMZ, and how everyone was just obsessed with these people and you don't really know why. These are like role models for young people, you know what I mean? And it was out of disgust for it we wrote songs like 'Hollywood Whore.'"
  • Lead singer Jacoby Shaddix expanded on the song's meaning to Kerrang! magazine April 4, 2009. He explained it's about: "The f--king rich, popular, skinny bitches the world is obsessed with. That gives a skewed perception of reality to people. Girls feel they must be skinny as a rule because they see these whores in magazines, weighing 98 pounds! Little do they know they're on the Hollywood scarf 'n' barf (bulimia) diet. I f--king hate that bulls--t - it's so fake."
  • Frontman Jacoby Shaddix told 411mania.com: "That song is what Papa Roach is all about, the guitars, the story about all that Hollywood weirdness."

Comments: 4

  • S Hill from EnglandI think clearly it was mainly Roasting at Paris Hillton maybe all these Hollywood people like Britney spears etc but again most they're Roasting Paris
    I don't like her myself I think she plastic & fake & snuck up
    I love this song especially at the end when Jacoby says "Don't let door hit what good lord splitting you hunny" ha ha I used so many times at people I don't like
    Good song though
  • Richard Cranium from VinewoodSo basically everyone in hollywood?!
  • Jamie from Carlisle, --I think this song is not talking about a prostitute, just the general hollywood thin culture
  • Alan from The Meadow Of Rainbows, United Kingdomthis song is about a prostitute who gets old, and no longer is sexy enough to sell herself
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Francesca Battistelli

Francesca BattistelliSongwriter Interviews

The 2011 Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards isn't your typical gospel diva, and she thinks that's a good thing.

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Greg talks about writing songs of "universal truth" for King Crimson and ELP, and tells us about his most memorable stage moment (it involves fireworks).

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews

The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.

Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum

Dave Pirner of Soul AsylumSongwriter Interviews

Dave explains how the video appropriated the meaning of "Runaway Train," and what he thought of getting parodied by Weird Al.

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.