Alain Johannes (Born 1962 in Chile) is a guitarist, though has been known t… Read Full Bio ↴Alain Johannes (Born 1962 in Chile) is a guitarist, though has been known to play numerous other instruments including but not limited to bass guitar, mandolin, piano, fiddle and clarinet. He is the founding member of the now defunct bands Anthym (Later named 'What Is This?') and Eleven. He frequently performed and wrote music with his wife Natasha Shneider (Also of Eleven) before her death in 2008.

Johannes has significantly contributed to albums by Chris Cornell, Queens of the Stone Age, Eagles of Death Metal, Desert Sessions and the Mark Lanegan Band as well as mixing, recording and producing a number of other records. He also frequently tours with other bands and artists, most notably the hard rock band Queens of the Stone Age throughout 2005 and 2006 (Natasha Shneider also joined him on this tour).

Most recently Johannes recorded new material with Brody Dalle and Eleven bandmate Jack Irons as part of Spinnerette. They released their first EP 'Ghetto Love' in 2008, though Johannes isn't joining them on tour. Johannes is releasing his first solo record, Spark, on Oct. 5th, 2010. He continues to perform live solo, and tour with Them Crooked Vultures.

Gentle Ghosts
Alain Johannes Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Just on the edge of my vision
They're dancing and playing
So joyfully loving
Just on the edge of my hearing
They're so sweetly saying
The things that will heal me

Just on the edge of this life

Gentle Ghosts
Gentle Ghosts

Just on the edge of my thinking
They're solving the riddles
And posting the signs
Just on the edge of my vision
They're dancing and playing
So joyfully loving

Just on the edge of this life

Gentle Ghosts
Gentle Ghosts

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Alain Johannes's song Gentle Ghosts evoke an image of something just out of reach - just on the edge of the singer's vision, hearing, and thinking. They are the titular gentle ghosts, and they bring with them a sense of healing and joy. The ghosts are able to solve riddles and post signs that help the singer navigate their way through life.

The idea of ghosts in the song is not necessarily a frightening one - these are gentle ghosts, after all. Instead, they represent a connection to something beyond the physical world, something that can offer comfort and guidance. The ghosts exist just on the edge of the singer's perception because they are not of this world - they are beyond it, in a space where healing and joy are possible.

Overall, the lyrics to Gentle Ghosts paint a picture of something mysterious and otherworldly that is nonetheless comforting and nurturing. They encourage the listener to open themselves up to the possibility of something beyond what can be seen or heard, and to allow the gentle ghosts to guide them towards healing and happiness.

Line by Line Meaning

Just on the edge of my vision
I can see something faintly in the distance

They're dancing and playing
What I can see are beings having fun

So joyfully loving
They are full of love and happiness

Just on the edge of my hearing
I can hear something faintly in the distance

They're so sweetly saying
What I can hear is comforting, encouraging

The things that will heal me
What they are saying has the power to make me feel better

Just on the edge of this life
These beings are not part of this world, they exist on the fringes of reality

Gentle Ghosts
These beings are kind and gentle spirits

Just on the edge of my thinking
They are able to solve problems I can't

They're solving the riddles
Their intelligence goes beyond what I am capable of

And posting the signs
They are leaving clues for me to follow