King Of Hollywood by Eagles

Album: The Long Run (1979)

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"King Of Hollywood" is a song about the dark side of Hollywood and the power that the big bosses have over the people who want to make it in the industry. Released on Eagles' 1979 album, The Long Run, the track was written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey.
The opening lines paint a vivid picture of the seedy underbelly of Tinseltown, as we're introduced to a sleazy producer/director lounging on his leatherette, perusing photos of actresses he's yet to bed. With a sly grin and a glint in his eye, he reaches for his little black telephone book, ready to make some calls and flex his power over the starlets of the silver screen.

We move onto a chilling conversation between the Hollywood bigwig and a young aspiring actress. He advises the starlet that if she truly wants to succeed, she must be willing to sacrifice her morals and dignity. With a cold, calculating tone, he instructs her to play nice with the right people and be prepared to do whatever it takes to climb the ladder to fame and fortune.

The big boss pulls out all the stops in his efforts to lure the naive actress into his next venture, using every tool at his disposal to sweeten the deal. With a silver tongue and promises of riches beyond his wildest dreams, the actress is left vulnerable to the persuasive tactics of the powerful mogul.

Henley and Frey capture the bittersweet reality of life as an actor or artist, where success and adoration can quickly give way to disillusionment and despair. With a keen eye for the dark underbelly of the music industry, they reveal the harsh truth that lies beneath the glittering facade of stardom, reminding us that even the most talented among us are not immune to the perils of fame.
The fickle nature of fame is a recurrent theme in Eagles' music, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the haunting melodies of their 1976 classic album Hotel California.
There are rumors that Henley's anger about a promised role in a Western movie that he didn't get inspired this song. However, the Eagles themselves have not provided a specific explanation for the background to "King Of Hollywood."

Comments: 25

Stokesy2022yeh from MerseysideSounds more like Epstein than Weinstein from the lyrics ' little black telephone book' , very fitting the rest of the lyrics also... Plus the last lyric is the man just isn't big enough, Epstein rather short guy in stature if we take it literally:) ,,,,,
Dawn Cox from North CarolinaI remember my mom turned me on to this song in the 90's and she definitely said it was about Hugh Hefner, and I would say I agree. I do like the song though, I tried to find it some years ago and couldn't for some reason. I liked the old version also!
Truth from Hollywood,caPot, meet kettle. Don Henley did exactly this to several women I know. He would pay for expensive homes or apartments, send cash to them via FedEx, pay for their cars and leases on cars... I assure you it wasn't out of the goodness fo his heart.
Umberto from MontrealThis song is most specifically about producer and former studio head Robert Evans. I remember Glenn Frey admitting it at the Songwriter's Hall of Fame...It also makes sense since at the time of this song, Don Henley was dating actress and Bond girl Lois Chiles, who had previously had an encounter with Robert Evans.
David from HalifaxFirst heard this in England on Radio 1 in the early 80's played at 4am by Rock DJ Tommy Vance (I forget the show).
It had a profound effect on me, incessant beat, rythym and lyrics, just had a feeling all of its own, couldn't quite put my finger on it. I totally agree it is an underappreciated Eagles track.
Will from Troy New YorkGeffen probably messed with young males looking to get into Hollywood.
“and Action” Nick from Hereford, England If this came out today, it would perfectly fit Harvey Weinstein - alas 42 years ago. Geffen is gay, so count him out. My money is on Hefner, Jerry Bruckheimer or Don Simpson…..major players in the 70’s.
Mousemate from MilwaukeeWho sings vocals on king of hollywood
Carolabinkley from Colorado Springs, ColoradoWhy does Dorothy Stratton and Hugh Hefner come to mind? Is it that jacuzzi line...
Jordi from Barcelona, Catalonia/spainThis is for Topkat in New York City- Will you please tell us who was this song actually "dedicated" to? Thank you and cheers for the Eagles' musical legacy!
Eagles Lover from Spring, TexadLove this song. Especially the guitar solos. Love all the songs the Eagles did.
Joseph from French Lick IndianaThis song is about Hollywood ring leaders, I think of men like Clive Davis here, the influences. Also see occultic cabal in this behind the scenes; and making the sacrifice of selling ones soul into the music and film industry. There's connections here with Hotel California, Google search for yourself, Clive Davis; satanic contracts and Illuminati, all this tied together. Wake up !
Topkat from NycIts not about Harvey Weinstein. He wasnt around then . Don Henley once said in an interview who it was about, it wasnt Weinstein.
Diane from Lake Roosevelt, Washington St.2018--This song is so appropriate for 2018! Recorded in 1979. It is a song about high powered producers, film, music and theater!
I have had some of these word running around in my brain, for about 6-7 months. Couldn't quite get them all together and Then, it all came together! Callin, Callin, Callin! Harvey Weinstein!
Anne from Jordan"Still, his Jacuzzi runneth over" - this great line has been stuck in my mind for a week now. Brilliant. Love this track, love Don Henley's anger and sarcasm (agree w you, OldPink!) and the way it paints an exact story and picture when you listen to the song. Aah!
Russ from Florence, AzI agree with Glenn also. I would love to know who the target is. I was thinking Geffen, but is he (or was he) only a music producer? And Rusputtin - right on! - I saw the Eagles in about 74 or 75 when On the Border just came out. The Long Run and On The Border are my faves. I have to get up to Winslow soon too.
Jorge from Bronx, NyI agree with many here,The Long Run is their best work,There was about 6 songs in it that could have been hits,'I can't tell you why,my favorite,,,there is a lot more hits i love,but had this work on LP,Cassette and Cd,lol
Rusputtin from Atlanta, GaEchoing everyone else...if u are not an Eagles fan, chances are average ppl are not aware of this FANTASTIC cut! It was a hot summer afternoon in Bangladesh when I first heard this track and this track gave me a chill! Since then it has been one of my all time fav track...i love to listen to this track alone while driving down the highway. Some of the other underrated tracks of Eagles are "u never cry like a lover","on the borders" etc...
Oldpink from New Castle, InJohn from AR, I like "Hotel California" and "Desperado" better, but I also really like "The Long Run," a very good album. I have to agree with the others that this song is excellent. It has a kind of low key anger and sarcasm to it. The vocals even have that restrained fury to them. Nice bit of guitar, too.
John from Waldron, ArThis is one of my favorite songs off of my absolute favorite Eagles albums. Everyone thinks I'm weird (they're probably right) because I think The Long Run is their best work, but its just great. When I was 11, my mom & dad bought the cassette and hated it because it wasn't country enough,so they gave it to me. I wore that thing completely out, and years later bought the cd. It still holds up as my favorite Eagles album of all time.
Mike from Hueytown , AlI'm going to have to echo everybody else and say this is a very underrated song. It's one of my favorites too
Stephen from Sydney, AustraliaExcellent Eagles song, albeit probably not a well known one. Unusual in that it doesn't have a chorus. Great guitar solo. I'm with Glenn from TX on this one.
Sujit from Kathmandu, OtherYes, it is indeed the most underrated song by Eagles. It has been one of my favorite songs since I was very small and remains so even now.
Sara Mackenzie from Middle Of Nowhere, Fli don't know............it seems to be a good song, but at the same time, it is not like the other great songs that the eagles released...
Glenn from Bandera, TxKing of Hollywood is absolutely THE most underrated Eagles song. It also happens to be one of their best!

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