13 Songs All About Ghosts…Sort Of features music courtesy of Halsey, Harry Styles, Kanye West, and KIDS SEE GHOSTS among others.  

Question, did you know, “Kids see ghosts sometimes, kids see ghosts sometimes?” Fascinating, yet haunting.  While “13 Songs All About Ghosts…Sort Of” keys in on the word ‘ghosts,’ generally, the songs that appear on this playlist aren’t particularly frightening.  In most instances, ghosts are referenced as things missing in action as opposed to truly haunting and scaring the
“Heebie Jeebies” out of anybody.  Comprised of 13 songs, artists that ‘sort of’ make this a ghostly experience include Halsey, Harry Styles, Kanye West and KIDS SEE GHOSTS.

1. Mike Shinoda, “Ghosts”

Post Traumatic • Warner Bros. • 2018

“Ghosts” serves as one of many highlights from Post Traumatic, the incredibly personal debut solo album by Mike Shinoda.  In the context of Post Traumatic, “Ghosts” completes an awesome one-two punch alongside “Hold It Together” which precedes it. Shinoda seems to see things – memories that he once experienced. Even with its ‘supernatural’ elements, “Ghosts” is brighter, happier, and quicker than many other songs on the LP.  Sure, he’s still in an odd place expectedly, but even the listener doesn’t feel as downtrodden or sad listening to it.

2. Kanye West, “Ghost Town” (Ft. PARTYNEXTDOOR)

Ye • Def Jam • 2018

“Ghost Town” serves as the penultimate cut of Ye, the seven-track, 2018 album by the ever-polarizing Kanye West. The sound of this record serves as best attribute, with its throwback, soulful, gospel sampling. Kid Cudi, PARTYNEXTDOOR, and 070 Shake appear on the record, with PND specifically credited as a featured guest. PARTYNEXTDOOR reappears for the first verse, notably slurring his words at the close.  West drops only one verse, singing as opposed to rapping.  Besides the unique overall sound of the record, the extended outro, performed by 070 Shake, is a defining feature.

“I put my hand on a stove, to see if I still bleed / And nothing hurts anymore, I feel kinda free.”

3. KIDS SEE GHOSTS, “Freeee (Ghost Town, Pt. 2)”

KIDS SEE GHOSTS • GOOD / Def Jam • 2018

Originally, I didn’t plan to include “Freeee (Ghost Town, Pt. 2)” on this ghost-centric list.  That said, it fits because it serves as a fitting follow-up to “Ghost Town,” which appeared on the Kanye West album, Ye. Following a fitting Marcus Garvey sample, West explodes with a hook sure to make you giggle the first time you hear it.  It’s a bit dramatic – perhaps even a wee bit outlandish – but he makes his point crystal clear with honesty.

“I don’t feel pain anymore / Guess what, baby? I feel freeee (scoop!)”

Beyond the chorus, he’s assisted on a left-of-center, yet pleasing verse by Kid Cudi, and more frequently Ty Dolla $ign.  It’s weird mind you, but Ty’s unique tone is a perfect fit.  Throw in contributions from Anthony Hamilton alongside Ty and things grow even more soulful.  Also, worth noting, Cudi gets his own chorus and bridge to testify: “Died and came back twice / Now I’m freeee.”  Again, it is the continuation of the 070 Shake outro from “Ghost Town.”

4. Frankie x Scott Hoying, ‘Ghost’ (Ft. One Night)

Ghost – Single • RCA • 2018

Frankie and Scott Hoying (Pentatonix and Superfruit), certainly waste no time dropping bombs on their fun new single “Ghost,” featuring and produced by One Night.  On the intro, the duo sings, ‘endearingly,’ “F**k you.”  Hoying handles the first verse, pre-chorus, and chorus.  The premise is he’s asked on a “last-minute date,” “drank the kool-aid…/ F**k, this might really work,” and then she “ghosted” on him.  Frankie responds on the second verse, asserting, “Well it’s not really normal for me to be forward / But you’re basically like the nicest guy in the world.” She goes on to explain on the pre-chorus, “I didn’t know how to tell you that week / I’m with someone new.” On the second chorus, following bridge, and the final chorus, the two go back and forth, sometimes singing together.  Essentially, ghost in this context means not to disappear, not show up, etc.

5. The Decemberists, “Your Ghost”

I’ll Be Your Girl • Capitol • 2018

“And when you take your rest / My weight upon your breast / And should you close your eyes / I’ll still materialize / Your ghost.” Colin Meloy and The Decemberists were back at it again with their 2018 studio album, I’ll Be Your Girl.  The brief “Your Ghost” appears in the middle of the album, as the sixth track.  Fittingly, “Your Ghost” has a bit of an eerie, enigmatic quality, amplified by the minor key.  That said, it’s also relatively bright-sounding, and moderately paced, so nowhere being totally hellish. The “Na-na’s” that appear at the end of the record are incredibly playful and infectious – go figure.

6. KIDS SEE GHOSTS, “Kids See Ghosts”

Ft. Yasiin Bey

KIDS SEE GHOSTS • GOOD / Def Jam • 2018

Were you wondering if the title track of KIDS SEE GHOSTS’ debut album would appear on this list? If so, you have your answer.  The reason it didn’t appear earlier is, well, that’s a lot of Kanye West and Kid Cudi at the same time, particularly on a playlist incorporating various artists.  Anyways, the title track features one of the better beats of the LP.  Let’s shift the focus to the legend that appears on the record, Yasiin Bey aka Mos Def. Bey delivers the hook throughout the course of the record, save for post-first verse.  He also drops a notable bridge.  West impresses with his flow – he’s got some bars on the second verse.

7. Harry Styles, “Two Ghosts”

Harry Styles • Columbia • 2017

“Two Ghosts” is a well-rounded, moderate tempo track from Harry Styles’ 2017 self-titled debut LP.  Styles delivers in the vocal department – we’d expect no less.  Acoustic rhythm guitars dominate the production, which is a great accompaniment and backdrop for Styles to paint over. The centerpiece, the chorus, is simple, but highly effective.  The premise – the relationship is just not what it used to be from either side.

“We’re not who we used to be… / We’re just two ghosts standing in the place of you and me / We’re not who we used to be…/ We’re just two ghosts swimming in a glass half empty.”

8. 21 Savage, Offset & Metro Boomin, “Ghostface Killers”

Without Warning • Epic / Republic • 2017

21 Savage, Offset, and Metro Boomin start off collaborative album Without Warning  with a bang. That’s right, “Ghostface Killers,” featuring Travis Scott, is pretty epic.  Offset handles the hard-hitting hook, following up with verse dropping Patek, Michael Jackson, and Adidas references.  21 Savage follows, in his normal dead-pan approach.  Sure, this approach doesn’t always work (Issa Album had some flatter moments), but it’s endearing here. Travis Scott caps off the gem on the third verse, referencing Tom Cruise and Nike (“Nike boys, we don’t do three stripes”).

9. Halsey, “Ghost”

Badlands • Astralwerks • 2015

“I like the sad eyes, bad guys, mouth full of white lies / Kiss me in the corridor, but quick to tell me goodbye.” ‘Houston, we have a problem,’ rather, Halsey has a problem on “Ghost” with the suitors she’s attracted to. The alt-pop artist experienced success with the release of her debut album, BADLANDS.  The biggest attraction from BADLANDS was “New Americana”, a record highlighted on another playlist, 53 LGBTQ Songs That Beam with Pride, while “Hold Me Down” ‘got it’s shine on’ on another playlist,  13 Songs Trying to ‘Hold’ It Together. On “Ghost,” Halsey has lost herself to an extent, exemplified by the chorus.

“My ghost, where’d you go? / I can’t find you in the body sleeping next to me / My ghost, where’d you go? / What happened to the soul that you used to be?”

10. Rick Ross, “Ghostwriter”

Black Market • Epic • 2015

“Ghost writer, blunt lighter / Write a rapper’s song then go buy a home / Lyrics they recite these are words I own / Every album that I made I did it on my own.” The best song from Rick Ross’ 2015 studio album, Black Market is “Ghostwriter,” hands down.  Throughout the course of the record, Ross touts his songwriting ability making it clear to the world he writes his own rhymes as well as rhymes for other rappers. Seven words: “I be so lonely at the top.” Bringing some context to ghostwriting, often, it’s a polarizing issue in rap (though prevalent according to Ross), even though other genres are filled with songs that have multiple songwriters that are actually credited.

11. A$AP Rocky, “Holy Ghost” (Ft.  Joe Fox)

At. Long. Last. A$AP • RCA • 2015

“Holy Ghost,” featuring Joe Fox, kicks off At. Long. Last. A$AP. in secular fashion.  Honestly, the sacrilege is real.  Despite its title, A$AP Rocky denounces religion: “They ask me why I don’t go to church no more / ‘Cause church is the new club and wine is the new bub.” He characterizes the clergy and church officers as hypocrites: “The pastor had a thing for designer glasses…the ushers keep skimmin’ the collection baskets.” Notably, “Holy Ghost” arrived at a time where ‘god-status’ was big in rap music.  He certainly asserts his own here.

12. BØRNS, “Holy Ghost”

Dopamine • Interscope • 2015

Dopamine marked the debut album by Michigan-bred, Cali-based alternative artist BØRNS.  On standout record “Holy Ghost,” he gets a wee bit blasphemous. “Baby, baby, baby / I fantasize and I pray,” he sings lustfully on the second verse, “I’m thirsty for your ecstasy / So open up your heavenly gates.”  Wow… did we say just a wee bit blasphemous? To his credit, a horny BØRNS admits his sins, even if he doesn’t repent of them: “Let me satisfy your wide awake soul / No, I don’t care if it’s blasphemy / Cause baby, you’re my holy ghost.”  Hmm, heavenly, yet hellish.

13. Mavis Staples, “Holy Ghost”

One True Vine • Anti • 2013

Ten songs deep, One True Vine, the 2013 studio album by legendary soul and gospel icon Mavis Staples keeps things short and sweet.  Opener “Holy Ghost” finds Staples sounding incredibly commanding and soulful atop folky production work.  While she’s reserved, Staples does enough to pack a punch, particularly with her earthy, expressive vocal cracks.  Notably, “Holy Ghost” is a cover, originally performed by Minnesota indie-rock trio Low on their 2013 effort, The Invisible Way.

Photo Credits: Anti, Astralwerks, Capitol, Columbia, Def Jam,  Epic, G.O.O.D., Interscope, RCA, Republic, Warner Bros.