Hollywood

Album: Goon (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Tobias Jesso Jr. spent four years in Los Angeles playing bass and writing songs without much success, before moving back to his home in North Vancouver. He started playing a piano in his spare time at the age of 27 while working for a moving company.

    This semi-autobiographical ballad written on his new instrument finds Jesso recalling his life as a struggling bassist and songwriter in Los Angeles. "I was in L.A. and I was just walking around like a regular guy. I was trying to be a songwriter; I really was, you know?" he told Stereogum. "I just don't think I was going about it the right way. And then when I went home, I started working for my best friend's moving company, and then I was like, 'OK, I'll figure it out here. I'll be a mover or something.' And then it was within a week or two that I started writing on piano."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.

Daryl Hall

Daryl HallSongwriter Interviews

Daryl Hall's TV show is a hit, and he's been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - only one of these developments excites him.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.