Official Charts Pop Gem #51: Marina And The Diamonds – Hollywood

Marina’s very first Top 40 hit from 2010 is the latest track to get the Pop Gem honour.

As it's Mother's Day in the UK this weekend, we decided the Pop Gem should have a definite lady-leaning theme. We called it Ladies' Day theme. Songs about ladies, or by ladies, that are empowering, pack a punch and could do with a little but more attention than they’d had recently

Some great suggestions came in – from declarations of girl power, appreciations of lovely ladies or just amazing songs by our favourite female singers.

Choosing a shortlist was a tough job Were the Spice Girls too big to be included on the shortlist? (No.) Was Marina and her sparkly Diamonds’ first hit too recent to be considered? (Definite no.) We did it, though: TWELVE amazing songs, eleven amazing ladies and one amazing man made it.

A stellar line-up, we’re sure you’ll agree, but there could be only one winner and this week’s Pop Gem had to go to Marina And The Diamonds and that very first hit Hollywood.

Watch the visually vibrant vid for Hollywood before we tell you why it had to be Marina.

Why it had to be Marina

Known to her nearest and dearest as Marina Diamandis, which is already a pretty cool name if you think about it, Marina And The Diamonds has been injecting a little bit of theatrical sparkle into the British music scene since 2010.

Just as comfortable belting out a ballad as she is boogying with a banger, she’s a talented lady who makes music with a message, sure, but has plenty of fun along the way.

The song

Released as the first single from Marina’s debut album Family Jewels, Hollywood is a belter of a pop tune. It very sneakily attacks the shallow world of Hollywood over the top of what sounds like a banging nursery rhyme. It’s biting satire with a sprinkling of sugar on top, and nobody can make “puking American dreams” sound as tuneful as Marina. Hollywood just missed the Top 10, peaking at Number 12 in February 2010. It’s sold almost 180,000 copies since its release.

Marina’s chart story

Marina has had five Top 40 hits in the UK, and has yet to score a Top 10 on the Official Singles Chart. The closest she’s got is 2012’s Primadonna, which settled at Number 11.

Primadonna is Marina’s biggest selling single so far, shifting 205,000 copies.

Over on the Official Albums Chart, she’s fared better. Her debut album Family Jewels peaked at Number 5, while its follow-up Electra Heart made it all the way to the very top in May 2012.

Pop Gem Hall Of Fame

Marina joins the 50 previous Pop Gem winners in our Hall Of Fame. Take a look at what’s been honoured so far. 

Ladies’ Day playlist

Want to check out the full shortlist? Take a look at all 12 of the beauties in our video playlist.

Your Pop Gem needs you

Got a Pop Gem of your own? Want to suggest a theme for another week? Find out how you can get involved in the Pop Gem party.