|
Star - Oxford Unabridged
Dictionary: This term for a lead actor or someone at the top of
their field dates to at least 1779. The earliest reference in the OED2
is from that date and is used by a man named Warner, recorded in
Jesse's George Selwyn and his Contemporaries published in 1844. The use
in theater predates the use in other fields.
Star- Encarta dictionary: 6. arts sports
popular performer: a very famous, successful, and popular performer,
especially in the field of entertainment or sports; 7. most important
or proficient person: somebody who is particularly good at some
activity, or who is the most important or most skillful member of a
group involved in a particular activity
Star System: Movies: The Early Years: Early on, actors
were not known by name, but in 1910, the star system came into being
via promotion of Vitagraph Co. actress Florence Lawrence, first known
as The Vitagraph Girl. Other companies, noting that this approach
improved business, responded by attaching names to popular faces and
fan magazines quickly followed, providing plentiful, and free,
publicity. Films had slowly been edging past the 20 minute mark, but
the drive to feature-length works began with the Italian spectacle
film, of which Quo Vadis (1913), running nine reels or about two hours,
was the most influential.
The first generation of star
actors included Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Mary Pickford, Douglas
Fairbanks, Marie Dressler, Lillian Gish, William S. Hart, Greta Garbo,
John Gilbert, Claudette Colbert, Rudolph Valentino, Janet Gaynor,
Ronald Colman, Clara Bow, Gloria Swanson, Lon Chaney, and Will Rogers.
During World War I the United States became dominant in the industry
and the moving picture expanded into the realm of education and
propaganda.
|
|
A
Sociological Understanding of Celebrity Worship
The para-social object, God,
functions in gemeinschaften to regulate recognition and validation of
the individual self by other members of the community. If everyone
shares the same faith in the same God(s), each recognizes the other as
valid. In gesellschaften, the sense of self is not as propped up by
lateral corroboration as it is in gemeinschaften; in gesellschaften,
God has a new function, that of inflating the self through narcissistic
contemplation. In individualistic societies, God is a projection of
self-worship. This understanding accounts for the new polytheism and
the fact that people make God into anything that makes them feel good
about themselves. This, of course, holds for celebrity worship. The new
polytheism, then, is a direct result of the weakening of social
validation of the self through common para-social objects. When
para-social objects are no longer common, validation of the self tends
to be narcissistic and, as Simmel would have it, individuated
(solipsistic). -MAW
|
|
Songs about celebrity,
include:
Kinks - "Celluloid
Heroes"Brad Paisley - "Celebrity Lyrics"
Barenaked
Ladies - "Celebrity"
Mxpx -
" Punk Rawk Celebrity"
Eminem- "Stan"
Hole- "Celebrity Skin"
|
Kinks - "Celluloid Heroes"
Everybody's
a dreamer and everybody's a star,
And everybody's in movies, it doesn't matter who you are.
There are stars 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.
You can see all the stars as you walk down hollywood boulevard,
Some that you recognise, 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
'cos 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
'cos she's not very tough,
She should have been made of iron or steel,
But she was only made of flesh and blood.
You can see all the stars as you walk down hollywood boulevard,
Some that you recognise, 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.
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 a 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 hollywood boulevard,
Some that you recognise, 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.
Oh celluloid heroes never feel any pain
Oh celluloid heroes never really die.
I wish my life was a 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.
|
Brad Paisley - "Celebrity Lyrics"
Someday
I'm gonna be famous
Do I have talent well no
These days you don’t really need it
Thanks to reality shows
Can't wait to date a supermodel
Can’t wait to sue my dad
Can't wait to wreck a Ferrari
On my way to Rehab
Cause when you’re a celebrity
It’s adios reality
You can act just like a fool
And people think you’re cool
Just cause your on T.V.
I can throw major fits
When my latte isn't just how I like it
They say I've gone insane
I'll blame it on the fame
And the pressures that go with....
Being a Celebrity
I'll get to cry to Barbara Walters
When things don't go my way
I'll get community service
No matter which law I break
I'll make the supermarket tabloids
They’ll write some awful stuff
But the more they run my name down
The more my price goes up!
Cause when you’re a celebrity
It’s adios reality
No matter what you do
People think you’re cool
Just cause your on T.V.
I can fall in and out of love
Have marriages that barely last a month
When they go down the drain
I'll blame it on the fame
And say it's just so tough...
Being a Celebrity
So let’s hitch up the wagons
And head out West
To the land of fun in the sun
We’ll be a real world bachelor
Jackass Millionaires hey hey Hollywood
Here we come!
Yeah when you're a Celebrity
It’s adios reality
No matter what you do
People think you’re cool
Just cause your on T.V.
Being a Celebrity...
Yeah Celebrity!
|
|
Barenaked Ladies - "Celebrity"
Don't call me a zero
I'm gonna be a hero
Like Phil Esposito or the Kennedys
I'll be incorporated
And I'll be imitated
And overrated, but that doesn't bother me
All the jaws will drop
And all the girls will scream
And there will be commotion when I show up on the scene
All that you will see is a celebrity [x2]
When I'm riding in my limo
I won't look out the window
Might make me homesick for humanity
There's nowhere that I can't go
And there's nobody I don't know
And there's an emptiness that's eating me
All the clocks will stop
And all the jeans will cream
It has always been my one and only dream
All that's left of me is my celebrity
Leave your heart
Lay down your art
You're here for the party
Smile and wave
Try to behave
Be happy that they've made you a celebrity
I could disappear into the great unknown
And it would wear my face as if it were its own
And all that you will see is a celebrity
All that's left of me is my celebrity
I will get in first and I will get in free
All that's left of me is my celebrity
|
Mxpx - " Punk
Rawk Celebrity"
You wake up in the morning, don't remember a thing
And now your face is staring back from magazines
This is everything you've ever dreamed
Rapid hearts are beating, faster breathing
Punk rawk celebrity is, oh so fleeting.
Don't push that red button, it'll blow up your face
You feel like your whole life you've been running a race
Is there anybody with you in this place?
Rapid hearts are beating, faster breathing
Punk rawk celebrity is, oh so fleeting.
Punk rawk celebrity is an oxy moron
To be a PRC, a Punk Rawk Celebrity,
Put all your best clothes, put your best make up on
You've made such a big mess, let's call it success
You've made such a big mess, let's just call it success
We all know, we all know, we all know you
We all know, we all know, we all know you
We know, it just isn't true
We all know, we all know, we all know you
|
Eminem-
"Stan"
My tea's
gone cold i'm wondering why i..
Got out of bed at all
The morning rain clouds up my window..
And i can't see at all
And even if i could it'll all be gray,
But your picture on my wall
It reminds me, that it's not so bad,
It's not so bad..
[eminem as 'stan']
Dear slim, i wrote but you still ain't callin
I left my cell, my pager, and my home phone at the bottom
I sent two letters back in autumn, you must not-a got 'em
There probably was a problem at the post office or somethin
Sometimes i scribble addresses too sloppy when i jot 'em
But anyways; fuck it, what's been up? man how's your daughter?
My girlfriend's pregnant too, i'm bout to be a father
If i have a daughter, guess what i'ma call her?
I'ma name her bonnie
I read about your uncle ronnie too i'm sorry
I had a friend kill himself over some bitch who didn't want him
I know you probably hear this everyday, but i'm your biggest fan
I even got the underground shit that you did with skam
I got a room full of your posters and your pictures man
I like the shit you did with rawkus too, that shit was fat
Anyways, i hope you get this man, hit me back,
Just to chat, truly yours, your biggest fan
This is stan
{chorus: dido}
[eminem as 'stan']
Dear slim, you still ain't called or wrote, i hope you have a chance
I ain't mad - i just think it's fucked up you don't answer fans
If you didn't wanna talk to me outside your concert
You didn't have to, but you coulda signed an autograph for matthew
That's my little brother man, he's only six years old
We waited in the blistering cold for you,
Four hours and you just said, "no."
That's pretty shitty man - you're like his fuckin idol
He wants to be just like you man, he likes you more than i do
I ain't that mad though, i just don't like bein lied to
Remember when we met in denver - you said if i'd write you
You would write back - see i'm just like you in a way
I never knew my father neither;
He used to always cheat on my mom and beat her
I can relate to what you're saying in your songs
So when i have a shitty day, i drift away and put 'em on
Cause i don't really got shit else so that shit helps when i'm depressed
I even got a tattoo of your name across the chest
Sometimes i even cut myself to see how much it bleeds
It's like adrenaline, the pain is such a sudden rush for me
See everything you say is real, and i respect you cause you tell it
My girlfriend's jealous cause i talk about you 24/7
But she don't know you like i know you slim, no one does
She don't know what it was like for people like us growin up
You gotta call me man, i'll be the biggest fan you'll ever lose
Sincerely yours, stan -- p.s.
We should be together too
{chorus: dido}
[eminem as 'stan']
Dear mister-i'm-too-good-to-call-or-write-my-fans,
This'll be the last package i ever send your ass
It's been six months and still no word - i don't deserve it?
I know you got my last two letters;
I wrote the addresses on 'em perfect
So this is my cassette i'm sending you, i hope you hear it
I'm in the car right now, i'm doing 90 on the freeway
Hey slim, i drank a fifth of vodka, you dare me to drive?
You know the song by phil collins, "in the air of the night"
About that guy who coulda saved that other guy from drowning
But didn't, then phil saw it all, then at a a show he found him?
That's kinda how this is, you coulda rescued me from drowning
Now it's too late - i'm on a 1000 downers now, i'm drowsy
And all i wanted was a lousy letter or a call
I hope you know i ripped +all+ of your pictures off the wall
I love you slim, we coulda been together, think about it
You ruined it now, i hope you can't sleep and you dream about it
And when you dream i hope you can't sleep and you scream about it
I hope your conscience eats at you and you can't breathe without me
See slim; {*screaming*} shut up bitch! i'm tryin to talk!
Hey slim, that's my girlfriend screamin in the trunk
But i didn't slit her throat, i just tied her up, see i ain't like you
Cause if she suffocates she'll suffer more, and then she'll die too
Well, gotta go, i'm almost at the bridge now
Oh shit, i forgot, how'm i supposed to send this shit out?
{*car tires squeal*} {*crash*}
.. {*brief silence*} .. {*loud splash*}
{chorus: dido}
[eminem]
Dear stan, i meant to write you sooner but i just been busy
You said your girlfriend's pregnant now, how far along is she?
Look, i'm really flattered you would call your daughter that
And here's an autograph for your brother,
I wrote it on the starter cap
I'm sorry i didn't see you at the show, i musta missed you
Don't think i did that shit intentionally just to diss you
But what's this shit you said about you like to cut your wrists too?
I say that shit just clownin dogg,
C'mon - how fucked up is you?
You got some issues stan, i think you need some counseling
To help your ass from bouncing off the walls when you get down some
And what's this shit about us meant to be together?
That type of shit'll make me not want us to meet each other
I really think you and your girlfriend need each other
Or maybe you just need to treat her better
I hope you get to read this letter, i just hope it reaches you in time
Before you hurt yourself, i think that you'll be doin just fine
If you relax a little, i'm glad i inspire you but stan
Why are you so mad? try to understand, that i do want you as a fan
I just don't want you to do some crazy shit
I seen this one shit on the news a couple weeks ago that made me sick
Some dude was drunk and drove his car over a bridge
And had his girlfriend in the trunk, and she was pregnant with his kid
And in the car they found a tape, but they didn't say who it was to
Come to think about, his name was.. it was you
Damn!
|
Hole-
"Celebrity Skin"
Oh, make
me over
I'm all I want to be
A walking study
In demonology
Hey, so glad you could make it
Yeah, now you really made it
Hey, so glad you could make it now
Oh, look at my face
My name is might have been
My name is never was
My name's forgotten
Hey, so glad you could make it
Yeah, now you really made it
Hey, there's only us left now
When I wake up in my makeup
It's too early for that dress
Wilted and faded somewhere in
Hollywood
I'm glad I came here
With your pound of flesh
No second billing cause you're a star now
Oh, Cinderella
They aren't sluts like you
Beautiful garbage beautiful dresses
Can you stand up or will you
just fall down
You better watch out
What you wish for
It better be worth it
So much to die for
Hey, so glad you could make it
Yeah, now you really made it
Hey, there's only us left now
When I wake up in my makeup
Have you ever felt so used up as this?
It's all so sugarless
Hooker/waitress/model/actress
Oh, just go nameless
Honeysuckle, she's full of poison
She obliterated everything she kissed
Now she's fading
Somewhere in Hollywood
I'm glad I came here
With your pound of flesh
You want a part of me
Well, I'm not selling cheap
No, I'm not selling cheap
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
