1. Scottie saw the house up on Hollywood Hills.  
The sign said, “Room for Rent.  I need some company.”
A platinum blonde bombshell opened the door.  
She said, “You’re perfect.  Here’s the key.”

2. He stepped inside and thought he lost his mind
He saw Elvis shooting pool with James Dean.
Hendrix played while Janis sang, 
“Lord, won’t you buy a ‘Benz for me?”

* The blonde said, “They paid me thousands for my kisses, 
but took fifty cents for my soul.
Can you help me leave this prison?”  
Soon he knew he was talking to Marilyn’s ghost.

3. She beckoned Scott to follow her down the hall...
A haunted loneliness filled her eyes
She said, “ I know it’s spooky, but you’re my only hope.
Help me cross to the other side.”

* “They paid me thousands for my kisses, 
but took fifty cents for my soul.”
He felt a fever than it hit him...
He was making love to Marilyn’s ghost.

+ She knew right then that he would die for her
And she could follow him home.  
A stab of pain, he saw the light, she took his hand...
Scottie went happy to heaven with Marilyn’s ghost.

* They’ll pay you thousands for your kisses.  
But take fifty cents for your soul.
They say that you’ll become a legend.  
If you wonder if it’s worth it...
Ask Marilyn’s Ghost.”

Lyrics: Steven Stewart 
Music: Steven Stewart & John Beck
© 1997

I am amazed at how people still worship Mariyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and the other great stars that lived bright lives and died tragic deaths. I was trying to come up with a cool idea for a song and nothing was coming. So I listened to music.

I loved the groove and attitude of Alannah Myles' old hit "Black Velvet" and the creepiness of the Eagles' "Hotel California." I came across a quote by Marilyn about Hollywood where she said, "They'll pay you thousands for your kisses, but take fifty cents for your soul." And the idea for the song was born.

So I had the idea...the ghosts of these famous people were all hanging out at this pad up on Hollywood Hills. What next? I don't like writing songs that don't mean something personal to me. I want a connection with what I'm singing. So I thought about fame.

This is an allegory to the price of fame. Many people compromise their beliefs to get gain or fame. Scottie in the song was seduced by a temptation and the temptation killed him.

"They say that you'll become a legend. If you wonder if it's worth it, ask Marilyn's ghost." Literally, Marilyn was one of the biggest stars of all time and died lonely and alone. Janet Jackson just spoke of her new album and about how it is very dark and depressing. She said that she had everything money could buy and was still lonely and depressed. Her life feels empty. Eye-opening.

Musically, this song has changed a lot. It has gone from a bluesy acoustic riff rock to a moving and grooving dance rock tune (with an occational Lounge Lizard jazz version as an encore at some live gigs.)

We now have two different versions of this song recorded. We had an absolute blast rethinking and re-recording the song as a rock-groove-dance tune. I hope how much fun we had in the studio comes through on this new recording.