THE KINKS - CELLULOID HEROES

Released: November 24, 1972

Album: Everybody's in Show-Biz

"Celluloid Heroes" is a song written by Ray Davies and featured on their 1972 album “Everybody's in Show-Biz”. It pays tribute to classic Hollywood icons, exploring the contrasts between success and failure within American show business. The lyrics mention several legendary actors from 20th century cinema, including Greta Garbo, Rudolph Valentino, Bela Lugosi, Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe, George Sanders, and Mickey Rooney. The song also references Hollywood Boulevard and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, capturing the allure and trials of the entertainment industry through poignant storytelling.

Ray Davies penned "Celluloid Heroes" inspired by his experiences in Los Angeles, where he often stayed near the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The song reflects Davies' fascination with the dichotomy of success and failure in show business. He sings about his admiration for movie stars, not as individuals, but as the immortal characters they portray on screen—figures who embody invulnerability and eternal fame. This perspective contrasts with Davies' own journey as a rock star, where the glamour of fame is compared with the challenges and pressures of the music industry, which he found both exhausting and frustrating. 

"Celluloid Heroes," released as the second single from the album had different versions in the UK and the US. The UK single featured the full album version, which was over six minutes long. In contrast, the US single used a shorter, radio-friendly edit that was nearly two minutes shorter than the UK version. Despite their previous single being a top 20 hit on the UK Singles Chart, "Celluloid Heroes" did not chart.

Ray Davies revisited "Celluloid Heroes" for his 2010 album "See My Friends," a collection of new studio collaborations featuring various artists. For this rendition, he collaborated with Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi, who had previously recorded a live performance of "Celluloid Heroes" featuring Ray Davies as the B-side to their 2002 single "Misunderstood."