Gone Hollywood Songs: Down in Hollywood
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (88432)
United States
October 4, 2026 9:09am CST
I know where I want to go today, but let’s see if I get there. 
Before I leave the hotel I’ll give you another pair of songs celebrating Hollywood and L.A. I’m alternating daily, so today, Hollywood goes first. Put on your dance shoes.!
Down in Hollywood - Ry Cooder
A name you may have heard. A guitarist you definitely have heard, given everyone he’s worked with. And he has had a long history of making his own records.
Speaking of history, this album made it. Bop Till You Drop was the first popular music (non-classical) album to be digitally recorded. It was a reasonable success, peaking in the top 100 on the album chart.
Cooder has been named in the top ten of greatest guitarists ever. He really is something else. This album, mostly covers, is pretty good. And this song, featuring Chaka Khan on backing vocals, paints an unflattering picture of the town (“they’ll drag you right out of your car and kick your ass”), but it’s so funky that you’ll dance the whole time!
Down in Hollywood
Written by Ry Cooder and Tim Drummond
Recorded by Ry Cooder
From Bop Till You Drop, 1979
HOLLYWOOD LYRICS: title
I’ll sneak you past the bouncer at the door:
Before I leave the hotel I’ll give you another pair of songs celebrating Hollywood and L.A. I’m alternating daily, so today, Hollywood goes first. Put on your dance shoes.!
Down in Hollywood - Ry Cooder
A name you may have heard. A guitarist you definitely have heard, given everyone he’s worked with. And he has had a long history of making his own records.
Speaking of history, this album made it. Bop Till You Drop was the first popular music (non-classical) album to be digitally recorded. It was a reasonable success, peaking in the top 100 on the album chart.
Cooder has been named in the top ten of greatest guitarists ever. He really is something else. This album, mostly covers, is pretty good. And this song, featuring Chaka Khan on backing vocals, paints an unflattering picture of the town (“they’ll drag you right out of your car and kick your ass”), but it’s so funky that you’ll dance the whole time!
Down in Hollywood
Written by Ry Cooder and Tim Drummond
Recorded by Ry Cooder
From Bop Till You Drop, 1979
HOLLYWOOD LYRICS: title
I’ll sneak you past the bouncer at the door:Your browser isn’t supported anymore. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn moreRemind me later
10 people like this
8 responses
@JohnRoberts (106643)
• Los Angeles, California
4 Oct
I know of Cooder's admired reputation but never saw him on a top ten guitarist list.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (88432)
• United States
4 Oct
Rolling Stone in 2003. Of course, consider the source.
3 people like this
@JohnRoberts (106643)
• Los Angeles, California
4 Oct
@FourWalls Not a fan of Rolling Stone. It was supposedly former editor Jann Wenner who kept Linda out because of a feud, tried to keep 80s new wave out, told Foreigner they would never get in and stalled on Heart and Pat Benatar.
3 people like this
@FourWalls (88432)
• United States
4 Oct
That’ll be along later. It’s early in the month.
2 people like this
