Celluloid Heroes

Album: Everybody's in Show-Biz (1972)
Play Video
  • Everybody's a dreamer and everybody's a star
    And everybody's in movies, it doesn't matter who you are
    There are starts in every city
    In every house and on every street
    And if you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
    Their names are written in concrete

    Don't step on Greta Garbo as you walk down the Boulevard
    She looks so weak and fragile that's why she tried to be so hard
    But they turned her into a princess
    And they sat her on a throne
    But she turned her back on stardom
    Because she wanted to be alone

    [Chorus]
    You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
    Some that you recognize, some that you've hardly even heard of
    People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
    Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain

    Rudolph Valentino looks very much alive
    And he looks up ladies dresses as they sadly pass him by
    Avoid stepping on Bela Lugosi
    Cause he's liable to turn and bite
    But stand close by Bette Davis
    Because hers was such a lonely life

    If you covered him with garbage
    George Sanders would still have style
    And if you stamped on Mickey Rooney
    He would still turn round and smile
    But please don't tread on dearest Marilyn
    Cause she's not very tough
    She should have been made of iron or steel
    But she was only made of flesh and blood

    [Chorus]

    Everybody's a dreamer and everybody's a star
    And everybody's in show biz, it doesn't matter who you are
    And those who are successful
    Be always on your guard
    Success walks hand in hand with failure
    Along Hollywood Boulevard

    I wish my life was non-stop Hollywood movie show
    A fantasy world of celluloid villains and heroes
    Because celluloid heroes never feel any pain
    And celluloid heroes never really die

    You can see all the stars as you walk along...

    [Chorus]

    La la la la....

    Oh, celluloid heroes never feel any pain
    Oh, celluloid heroes never really die
    I wish my life was non-stop Hollywood movie show
    A fantasy world of celluloid villains and heroes
    Because celluloid heroes never feel any pain
    And celluloid heroes never really die Writer/s: RAY DAVIES
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 1

  • Terry from Colchester, VtThis incredibly evocative song is one of my favorite Kinks tunes. The last verse is so forlorn that it's very moving. Ray Davies is a genius. My wife and I were fortunate enough to see them before they disbanded and they played this song that night. It was a small show at Stratton Mountain Ski Area in Vermont, and they played two long sets and several encores.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song Spoofs

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song SpoofsSong Writing

When singers started spoofing their own songs on Sesame Street, the results were both educational and hilarious - here are the best of them.

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)Songwriter Interviews

Chad tells tales from his time as drummer for Nirvana, and talks about his group Before Cars.