Born and raised in Liverpool, Nelson's passion for music was nurtured from an early age within his musically inclined family and through his involvement with the Liverpool Cathedral Choir. His deep-rooted love for music eventually led him to pursue a solo career.
In 2015, Nelson, then known as Raines, released his debut single "Ghosts." Shortly after, he adopted the moniker BANNERS and released his breakout single "Shine a Light" in August 2015. The song quickly gained traction, peaking at number 5 on the Billboard Canada Rock chart and number 71 on the Canadian Hot 100.
BANNERS signed with Island Records in 2016 and released his self-titled debut EP, produced by Stephen Kozmeniuk, in January of that year. The EP featured the previously released singles "Shine a Light" and "Start a Riot," along with two new tracks. The EP went on to debut at number 67 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart. The singles "Start a Riot" and "Half Light" amassed millions of streams, while "Someone to You" surpassed 1.5 billion streams.
BANNERS has since toured with notable acts such as Milky Chance and POP ETC, performed on national television shows like American Idol and Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and had his songs featured in numerous films and TV shows.
In October 2019, BANNERS released his highly anticipated debut studio album, Where the Shadow Ends, which was preceded by the singles "Got It In You" and "Where the Shadow Ends." The album showcased BANNERS' continued growth and versatility as an artist and was supported by a successful North American headline tour.
BANNERS' music has resonated with audiences worldwide, with his songs often described as anthemic, haunting, and inspiring. Nelson's emotive vocals and heartfelt songwriting contribute to the sincere and organic nature of his music. Drawing comparisons to Coldplay's Chris Martin, his music possesses a timeless quality that fosters a sense of community and connection.
Nelson's aspiration is to create music that becomes the soundtrack to moments in people's lives, fostering a deep emotional connection with his listeners. As he continues to evolve as an artist, BANNERS strives to deliver songs that uplift and resonate, offering a respite and inspiration to all who listen.
Ghosts
Banners Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Awoken from my sleep
I'm haunted by the thoughts, I creep
If the earth quakes down, buildings fall
I'm pulling pictures off, from our bones, till you say
Here, here I am
Oh, and here, here I am
Oh, oh
All the ghosts
They float, float around us
How they turned all our dreams into dust
We saved your mother
But darling then there was no spark left for us
We won the battle, but lost the heart
And now I know that here, here I am
Oh and here, here I am
Oh, hard to believe
It's said and done, hard to believe
It's not dead and gone
I want to believe
All is well that ends well
But I just can't convince myself
Can't touch the stars, or make them shine
Fight the tide, until the day we die
Can't touch the stars, can't make them shine
But you know I'll try
Can't touch the stars, or make them shine
Fight the tide, until the day we die
Can't touch the stars, can't make them shine
But you know I'll try
For you I'll try
In Banners's song Ghosts, the singer speaks of being haunted by fleeting thoughts and memories that seem to linger and persist in his mind. He describes the feeling of being besieged by these thoughts that continually prevent him from restful sleep. Even in his waking moments, the ghosts of his past keep him from escaping the nagging thoughts and memories that persistently nag him. Despite his inner turmoil and the weight of his thoughts, he makes an effort to persevere and show up for the people who matter to him.
The lyrics of Ghosts are likely inspired by a relationship that has gone awry, possibly a romantic one, that has left the singer feeling hollow and devoid of passion. Banners sings about the ghosts that surround and consume us, like memories that float around us and eventually turn into dust. He may be hinting at the reminiscences of an ill-fated love affair that has left him feeling hollow and numb. Although he tried to keep things afloat, things inevitably crumbled around him, leaving him and his significant other unable to rekindle the warmth they once shared.
In summary, Ghosts is a song that explores the imprints that people leave in our lives long after they're gone. It portrays the inner conflicts and difficulties that we face when we try to move on from the past or forget painful memories. The song speaks to the idea that although we cannot change the past, we still try to move forward with hope and optimism, even when it's challenging to do so.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear noises
I wake up to sounds that unsettle me.
Awoken from my sleep
I'm suddenly alert, though I was asleep moments ago.
I'm haunted by the thoughts, I creep
My anxious thoughts follow me as I move about.
If the earth quakes down, buildings fall
The world is unstable and anything is possible.
I'm pulling pictures off, from our bones, till you say
I'm trying to let go of our memories, but I need your help to fully do so.
Here, here I am
I am present and available to you.
All the ghosts
All our past experiences and regrets.
They float, float around us
They are always present and influence us.
How they turned all our dreams into dust
Our hopes and ambitions have been destroyed.
We saved your mother
We did what we could to help your family.
But darling then there was no spark left for us
Our relationship lost its intensity as we focused on others.
We won the battle, but lost the heart
We succeeded in some ways, but failed to prioritize our own relationship.
And now I know that here, here I am
I have come to realize that I need to focus on my own needs and desires.
Oh, hard to believe
It's difficult to accept what has happened.
It's said and done, hard to believe
This is a reality that is hard to accept and process.
It's not dead and gone
The past still has an impact on us in the present.
I want to believe
I want to find hope and optimism in our situation.
All is well that ends well
Things will be okay in the end, as long as we reach a resolution.
But I just can't convince myself
I struggle to find reassurance or closure.
Can't touch the stars, or make them shine
I can't control the universe or its circumstances.
Fight the tide, until the day we die
I will continue to persevere, regardless of what happens.
But you know I'll try
I still want to make things work and will do what I can to make it happen.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Richard Taylor Hill, Stephen Kozmeniuk, Jake Palahnuk, Matthew Vlahovich
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bethh766
I hear voices, awoken from my sleep
I'm haunted by the thoughts, that creep
If the earth quakes now, buildings fall
I'm pulling pictures off from our walls, 'til you say
Here, here I am
Oh, and here, here I am
Oh, oh
All the ghosts
That float, float around us
Now they turned all our dreams into dust
We saved your mother
But darling there was no spark, left for us
We won the battle but lost the heart
But now I know that here, here I am
Oh and here, here I am
Oh, hard to believe
It's said and done, hard to believe
It's not dead and gone
I want to believe
All is well that ends well, but I just can't
Convince myself
Run towards the stars, or make them shine
Fight the tide, until the day we die
Run towards the stars, can't make them shine
But you know I'll try
Run towards the stars, or make them shine
Fight the tide, until the day we die
Run towards the stars, can't make them shine
But you know I'll try
For you I'll try
@Biskwyy
"I hear noises
Awoken from my sleep
I'm haunted by the thoughts, I creep"
The symptoms of depression. Depressed people generally wake up in the middle of the night
"If the earthquake starts, buildings fall
I'm pulling pictures off, from our bones, till you say
Here, here I am
Oh, and here, here I am
Oh, oh"
Their relationship starts off shaky ground. Permanent damage has been done
"All the ghosts
They float, float around us
How they turned all our dreams into dust"
Ghost refers to the symptoms and signs of the destruction of their mutual relationship. What started out with youth and dreams died, withering away
"We saved your mother
But darling there was no spark left for us
We won the battle, but lost the heart
And now I know that here, here I am
Oh and here, here I am"
This song is an apology letter to his child. He did everything he could in his means to help her, and he did it. But not in the way that would've matter. Like saving a depressed person but they're still suicidal. It doesn't matter if they're alive because the relationship is still broken
"Oh, hard to believe
It's said and done, hard to believe
It's not dead and gone
I want to believe
All is well that ends well
But I just can't convince myself"
He feels hopeless in chasing after something that isn't ever going to be good
"Can't touch the stars, or make them shine
Fight the tide, until the day we die
Can't touch the stars, can’t make them shine
But you know I’ll try
Can't touch the stars, or make them shine
Fight the tide, until the day we die
Can't touch the stars, can’t make them shine
But you know I'll try
For you I'll try"
There is things that are impossible and things that are. He wants to give it one last shot. Others believes this relationship seems impossible but it doesn't matter because he finally believes in it
@seymanur950
Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.
@bennydog00
Not true I have had a lie running 4 years now with no complaints
@pepenumi4779
@@bennydog00 that's funny
@bennydog00
@@pepenumi4779 moons in my back pocket
@illusion_central1544
Teen Wolf😌❤
@1hoursongs50
Scot would have been proud of you💘
@camilla-olinekiaer5871
“We won the battle but lost our hearts” They way that Scott won the battle against the Oni’s, but lost Allison,.
@evans8882
Bruh
..
@caitlinmckeown2509
That was a sad part of teen wolf
@ellanotaro3614
I just read this and it hurt