Meaning of "American Dream" by Cold

The lyrics of "American Dream" by Cold explore the superficiality and disillusionment associated with the pursuit of fame and success in America. The protagonist, a young woman, seeks solace and respite from her troubled life in the glitz and glamour of Hollywood but is met with the harsh realities of drug addiction, family dysfunction, and the emptiness of the American dream. The mention of family members like Daddy working for Jesus, Bobby in and out of rehab, and Mother being medicated, portrays a sense of brokenness and dysfunction that exists beneath the surface of what is typically seen as success. The contrast between the dream-like allure of Hollywood and the gritty truth of life behind the scenes serves as a poignant commentary on the disillusionment that can come with chasing the American dream. Ultimately, the protagonist's realization that the stars don't shine in Hollywood signifies her awakening to the hollowness of the pursuit of fame and success.