1) 13 Candles are one … Read Full Bio ↴There are several artists known as 13 Candles
1) 13 Candles are one of the most gifted of the Dark Romantic Gothic bands from Britain in the Last Century. Their work is known for its atmospheric power and lyrical subtlety. They are probably amongst the best-read of the Anglo-Saxon Gothic ensembles still standing.
Formed in 1992 in Lowestoft / Wellingborough UK
Current Members
Louis Holloway - Vocals, Guitar
Justin Dracul - Bass, Guitar, Programming
Marc Hoyland - Guitar, Keyboards, Programming
Previous Members:
Vocals: Danny J. Finch
Bass: Damien (Session)
Keyboards: Tim Turner, Black Angel
Drums: Dan Theobald (Twisted Autumn Darkness, Pantheon I, Heathen Deity, Ethereal Forest, DΓ€mmerfarben), Paul Mackey
2) 13 Candles was also the short-lived solo project of Orlok from Countess, Hordes, Fallen Temple and several other Dutch underground bands and projects. Orlok recorded and released one demo tape (which was over 45 minutes long) with this monicker in April 1993, titled "Pilgrimage to the Gate of Sin". The music style was crude and primitive black metal with some doomy touches.
Ghosts
13 Candles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm below you, I'm above you
You can't see me, you can't hear me
But it does me good to feel you near me
I'm the spirit of your past
I know all your darker secrets
You can sense my icy blast
Ghosts
I can see you
I can taste you
You're under my skin
You're the enemy within
You're my ghost
You're my ghost
The song "Ghosts" by 13 Candles speaks about a spirit that is reaching out to someone they love. However, the lyrics portray the idea that the person may not be able to see or hear the spirit, but it still brings comfort to them. The first stanza of the song expresses the idea of the physical distance that the spirit has from their loved one. The spirit is both below and above their loved one without the ability to touch or communicate, but the feeling of being near them brings some sense of comfort.
The second stanza, the spirit acknowledges that they know all the darker secrets of their loved one. The idea of a spirit knowing someone's deepest secrets is eerie and haunting, giving listeners the idea that the spirit may be vengeful or seeking some sort of justice. The final line of that stanza, "Who said our love would not last?" hints that the two may have shared a past love or relationship, giving more context to the spirit's presence.
Lastly, the repetition of the phrase "You're my ghost" at the end of the song highlights the idea that the spirit is not just a random entity but belongs to the person they are reaching out to. It reinforces the idea that the spirit is woven so deeply into the person's life that it can never truly leave, following them like a ghost.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm reaching out but I can't touch you
Despite my efforts, we lack the ability to make physical contact.
I'm below you, I'm above you
I exist in a realm different from yours, I am omnipresent.
You can't see me, you can't hear me
I'm imperceptible by your physical senses.
But it does me good to feel you near me
Your proximity brings me solace, though we can't be close in a physical sense.
I'm the spirit of your past
I represent the memories, experiences and situations of your bygone days.
I know all your darker secrets
I hold knowledge of the secrets you keep hidden or deny.
You can sense my icy blast
My presence can be felt as a cold, eerie sensation.
Who said our love would not last?
I question the idea of our love not enduring.
Ghosts
The chorus emphasizes the motif of ghosts.
I can see you
Though you can't detect me, I have the ability to observe you.
I can taste you
I experience a profound, ineffable connection with you.
You're under my skin
You have a profound effect on me, and are remained enmeshed with my soul.
You're the enemy within
Despite my emotional connection, you are also a source of inner conflict for me.
You're my ghost
Reinforces the chorus and highlights the central idea of the song.
Contributed by Katherine D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.