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This Isn't Hollywood

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I wrote this song in 1981; Billy Joel's "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" came out about 5 years earlier — I pay tribute to his song at the end of mine (see video).

This Isn't Hollywood
Words and music © 1981 J. Ochshorn

1. I see you every day with all the games you play
You're acting like some kind of movie star
You take me by the arm you're turning on the charm
But now i'm learning who you really are
Your words are insincere and nothing that I hear will make me change my mind
You can say I'll love you till the day I die
You can say I'll miss you with a tear drop in your eye
Even if you say you'll always care this affair won't turn out like you think it should
Cause darling this isn't Hollywood

2. I hear you on the phone when you cry and moan
You sound like something's really scaring you
But girl it's just an act everything's intact
You just want someone to take care of you
You want my sympathy but nothing that I see will make me change my mind
You can say "I'll need you till the cows come home"
You can say "please help me baby cause I'm all alone"
I can't be a hero or a saint cause I ain't no Superman or Robin Hood
And darling this isn't Hollywood

[Bridge] I can't take it so don't try to be nice to me
You can't fake it I don't want your hypocrisy

3. So now you're in a daze your mind's gone out of phase
You're acting out some kind of fantasy
You're never really here even when I hold you near
There's no emotion for a man to see
I'm finally through with you and nothing that you do will make me change my mind
You can say "the movies made me act his way"
You can say "but I'm changing baby if you'll only stay"
But I know you'll always be the same it's a game that just won't do us any good
Cause darling this isn't Hollywood

Yes I know you'll always be the same it's a shame but it just won't do us any good
Cause darling this isn't Hollywood

Production notes:
Music arranged and produced by J. Ochshorn
Video shot with low-resolution Flip camcorder
Edited on Final Cut Express by J. Ochshorn
Vocals: J. Ochshorn
Real instruments: J. Ochshorn
Software instruments played live on midi keyboard (e.g., piano, bass): J. Ochshorn
Recorded at home in Ithaca, NY, November, 2008; re-mixed in 2018.