The Fame Game
Everyone wants to be a winner, baby!
Turn on your television and be bombarded by talent contests, reality, and primetime game shows—dancing, singing, being a nuisance—the goal is to be famous! Have no talent? Nowadays, it doesn’t matter. Some crave celebrity status for themselves, while others prefer to be on the periphery, a muse or even a groupie for their favourite superstar. Everybody wants a piece of the fame game.
When I Grow Up – Pussycat Dolls
The perfect wannabe song! The PCD hit pay dirt and claw a little higher on the fame game charts with this infectious ode to up-and-comers everywhere. Should be the theme song to all talent shows overpopulating our television screens.
Best lyric: When I grow up I wanna be famous. I wanna be a star; I wanna be in movies. When I grow up I wanna see the world; Drive nice cars, I wanna have groupies.
Time to Pretend – MGMT
Every success story hatches from a carefully thought out plan. In the case of scenesters, MGMT, they want to follow the path heavily trudged by the likes of the Rolling Stones, Led Zep, and Aerosmith. Even slimy, drug-laden rock stars need role models!
Best lyric: Let's make some music, make some money, find some models for wives. I'll move to Paris, shoot some heroin, and **ck with the stars. You man the island and the cocaine and the elegant cars. This is our decision, to live fast and die young. We've got the vision, now let's have some fun.
The World Is Mine – Hooverphonic
Fame goes to the heads of many, as Hooverphonic’s dance-filled ditty proves. Often it’s not enough to be famous. For some, total world domination is in order. (Sound familiar, Madonna?)
Best lyric: I'm part of this illusive show; time for me to get on stage…lights fade. Tomorrow you'll be at my feet; saturated senses set me free. It's all I need. The world the world is mine and I'm feeling so divine.
Glamorous – Fergie
Fergie wants you all to know that she’s a simple, down-home girl at heart. Champers, private jets, diamonds, a celebrity fiancé…they’re all just necessities of her occupation just like coffee, taxi chits, a computer, and the mail room guy are key to your’s.
Best lyric: We’re flying first class up in the sky. Poppin' champagne, livin' the life in the fast lane, and I won’t change for the glamorous, oh the flossy flossy.
Big Time – Peter Gabriel
Here’s how to brag about all the goodies that success has brought you with a cheeky grin and a whole load of irony. Pete’s right on the money with a song for the ultimate fame whore show-off. It’s not called show business for nothing.
Best lyric: My parties all have big names and I greet them with the widest smile. Tell them how my life is one big adventure, and always they're amazed when I show them round my house, to my bed. I had it made like a mountain range with a snow-white pillow for my big fat head.
It’s My Fault Being Famous – White Stripes
Being a superstar is not always all mansions and parties. Tussles with photographers and over zealous aficionados leave the famed feeling violated. Unfortunately, stars believe they can hand out any justice they see fit and get away with it just because of who they are.
Best lyric: I'm at the LAX just a-checkin my bag. When up comes a little paparazzi scumbag. I took a laptop slapped him up the side his head. The cops wanted to know why I left him for dead. It ain't his fault for bein’ nameless; It ain't his fault for bein’ thoughtless. It ain't his fault for bein’ shameless, but it's my fault for bein’ famous.
Super Star – The Carpenters
Ah, the sweet pain of unrequited love; the other side of fame. Being a fan can be painful when the object of your affections doesn’t know you exist. Covered many a time, this version featuring the sweet vocals of Karen Carpenter, leaves a naïve dreamy impression of a time before stalkers gave love struck fans a bad rap.
Best lyric: Long ago, and, oh, so far away. I fell in love with you before the second show. Your guitar, it sounds so sweet and clear, but you're not really here. It's just the radio. Don't you remember you told me you loved me baby? You said you'd be coming back this way again baby. Baby, baby, baby, baby, oh, baby. I love you, I really do.
Star Collector – The Monkees
If you can’t be famous yourself, glom on to someone who is! Some fans would rather worship at the foot of the bed instead of the foot of the stage, yep…groupies! All bands attract these wanton types who’d rather take home a different type of souvenir. T-shirts and autographs…so lame when there’s DNA to be had!
Best lyric: She’s a star collector (collector of stars); she only seems to please young celebrities. She’s a star collector (collector of stars), how can I love her, when I just don’t respect her.
The Fanatic – Felony
1980s music fans take note: here’s a gem from the flick, Valley Girl. This somewhat creepy tune is for the admirer who takes the whole fan thing a little too seriously. If you eat, drink, sleep your favourite band, this song’s for you.
Best lyric: Limo chasin' is my thing, TV Guide and magazines, Videos, tape machines. I am the fanatic...The fanatic. I like movies and rock shows, Rock stars and radios. I am the fanatic. Can I have your autograph? Maybe a poster or photograph? I am the fanatic...
Written by: Jackie Middleton
Check out Jackie's blog at http://losethatgirl.blogspot.com/.