`Hollywood's Not America` (CD single)

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Idol ballad is sappy and clean.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this ballad is featured on American Idol. There's nothing objectionable in this song except for the passing mention of a woman coming to Hollywood to make it and ending up a centerfold. The rest of the lyrics reinforce the idea of being true to yourself.

  • Positive themes of being true to yourself.
  • Not applicable.
  • "She moved west to California/became a centerfold" is the only sexual thing in the song.

What's the story?

This heartfelt ballad is the exit song for losing contestants on American Idol. Staying true to your roots and not getting caught up in the Hollywood scene is what it's all about.


Is it any good?

 

There's a reason why American Idol picked newcomer Ferras' song for their show: it's sincere, it's inoffensive, and it speaks to anyone who's ever had a dream. (Although, it's kind of strange for a show about making it big in Hollywood's music industry to choose a song about how Hollywood isn't real life.) Ferras' voice is good -- save for a few high notes -- and he glides over the piano keys like someone who's been playing for quite some time. Yes, the lyrics are generic ("And I know, what you're doin'/I know that you, you can be/anything you want to be") and at times a bit too preachy ("If you can make a million dollars/you might lose yourself/and you can take the heat/where your heart grow cold"), but this easy-to-listen-to, blue-eyed-soul singer will be big.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about how a reality show can catapult someone into a star. Do you think Ferras would be as popular without the name American Idol behind him?


This review was written by Heidi Kotansky

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This review was written by Heidi Kotansky
Artist:Ferras
Release date:January 29, 2008
Label:Virgin Records
Genre:Pop
Parental advisory:No

This review was written by Heidi Kotansky
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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