The emotions that fueled “GHOST TOWN” were pulled from observing a friend’s toxic relationship and the development of his own emotional maturity. “I saw the situation from an outside perspective and wondered what they could have done differently.” Ultimately, the song is about making tough decisions. “Love can hurt more than it can help,” the rising pop artist says. “Sometimes the best way of showing someone you care is by letting them go.”
Incredibly, “GHOST TOWN” was one of the first songs Boone ever wrote. “I was in an Uber on the way to my first recording session in Los Angeles,” he remembers. For inspiration, the newcomer skimmed through texts from his unlucky-in-love friend. “The melody and lyrics just popped into my head.” Afraid to lose his train of thought, the teenager sang the chorus into his phone in the back of the car. “It was a little embarrassing,” he laughs. “The driver wondered what I was doing.”
It turns out Boone has a habit of being very, very good at things without realizing it. Growing up in Monroe, Washington, the budding hitmaker spent most of his time outdoors. In fact, his latent musical talent only emerged by coincidence. “I went to a Jon Bellion concert right before COVID,” he remembers. “I watched him perform and felt like I understood him. It had a huge impact on me.” Around the same time, Boone was asked to sing in a friend’s band and wowed everyone including himself. “It’s a once in a lifetime event to discover a hidden talent. It was so freeing to be able to express myself.”
Now, the singer/songwriter is making up for lost time. “I want people to see that I take music seriously,” Boone says. So much so that he plays multiple instruments on “GHOST TOWN” including the drums, guitar and piano, an instrument that he picked up by ear. Boone even drew the cover art. “I used white charcoal on black paper,” he says. “The drawing took about five hours.”
That DIY approach is also reflected in the “GHOST TOWN” video. “I didn't want to go with a typical love story,” he says. Instead, the breakthrough artist went back to his hometown and hung out with friends. “We went cliff jumping and hiking, we went to lookouts,” he says. “Just the normal things I did growing up.” It’s the kind of highly personal content he shares with fans on TikTok. “I started out posting funny videos and daredevil stuff,” Boone says. Once the late bloomer discovered his singing voice, he started using the platform quite differently.
“Social media is the biggest opportunity to get people to know you personally,” he says. “Hopefully, they will not only like my music, but they'll understand and like me as a person, so I'm more than just a song to them.” That desire to connect with fans authentically is why he stepped away from American Idol, despite wowing judges at auditions. “It was a very hard choice,” Boone admits. “I didn't really know who I wanted to be as an artist yet, and I didn't want to show the world someone I'm not.”
It turned out to be a wise move. Shortly thereafter, he connected with Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds and was invited to collaborate with the chart-topping rock star in Las Vegas. “It was really scary and intimidating,” he remembers. “But it was the greatest three days of my life.” Before long, Boone had signed to his Night Street label in conjunction with Warner Music. “I knew Benson was special when I met him, he just draws you in,” Reynolds says.
“It was our first writing session together when I realized he's a once in a generation talent,” the Imagine Dragons hitmaker continues. “He has this innate sense of melody and vocal ability that blew me away.” Reynolds has since become a mentor, sharing advice from his journey to the very top of the music industry including the importance of growing and evolving as an artist.
“As I develop, I'm going to move towards self-production,” Boone says. “It's going to be an expression of what I feel, what I go through and what I'm thinking. I hope my music changes over time because I'm always changing.” One thing that will remain the same is his emphasis on vocals: “The voice carries so much emotion.” Citing artists like Lewis Capaldi and Adele as influences, the rising star wants to move people with his powerful pipes.
While Boone is still at the very beginning of his music journey, he’s in it for the long haul. “Working hard and writing good songs are the most important things to me,” he says. “I'm trying to learn as much as I can about who I am and what kind of music I want to write.” His goal is to engage with fans authentically and make songs that stand the test of time. With “GHOST TOWN,” the singer/writer takes an auspicious first step towards achieving it.
GHOST TOWN
Benson Boone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I took too much and you let me
We've been down all these roads before
And what we found don't live there anymore
It's dark
It's cold
If my hand is not the one you're meant to hold
Maybe you'd be happier with someone else
Maybe loving me's the reason you can't love yourself
Before I turn your heart into a ghost town
Show me everything we built so I can tear it all down
Down
Down, down, down
You know I'll stay don't you tempt me
But all this weight is getting heavy
Been holding up what wasn't meant to stand
I turned this love into a wasteland
It's dark
It's cold
If my hand is not the one you're meant to hold
Maybe you'd be happier with someone else
Maybe loving me's the reason you can't love yourself
Before I turn your heart into a ghost town
Show me everything we built so I can tear it all down
Down
Down, down, down
Tear it all down
Down
Down, down, down
The streets are empty
Where love once was but it's faded away
These broken memories
I'm left here alone and afraid to say
Maybe you'd be happier with someone else
Oh-oh-oh
Maybe you'd be happier with someone else
Maybe loving me's the reason you can't love yourself
Before I turn your heart into a ghost town
Show me everything we built so I can tear it all down
Down
Down, down, down
Tear it all down
Down
Down, down, down
I'll tear it all down
I'll tear it all down
In "Ghost Town" by Benson Boone, the lyrics describe a relationship that has lost its spark and has reached a point where it is falling apart. The singer acknowledges that they have taken too much from their partner, and their partner has allowed it, leading to a sense of emptiness. The couple has been through tough times before, but they are now unable to find a way to rekindle their relationship. The singer is aware that they may not be the one their partner truly wishes to hold, and perhaps they would be happier if they found someone else. The singer feels the weight of their love, but it is getting too heavy to bear. They also realize they have turned their love into a wasteland and, as a result, run the risk of losing the relationship entirely. The chorus of the song speaks to the singer’s desire to rebuild the connection before it becomes a mere "ghost town." The lyrics also suggest that, before the singer can tear everything down, they want to see everything the couple once built together.
Throughout the song, Benson Boone paints a picture of a relationship struggling to reignite the fire that was once burning bright. He expresses a yearning for the love that once existed between the two, but he recognizes that it might not be possible to reclaim that feeling. The singer's acknowledgement of their own role in damaging the relationship adds a layer of emotional depth, making the song all the more relatable. "Ghost Town" serves as a powerful reminder that relationships require effort from both partners, and that it is crucial to take responsibility for one's actions.
Line by Line Meaning
You fill me up 'til you're empty
You give me so much love and attention until you have nothing more to give.
I took too much and you let me
I may have been selfish in taking all your love, but you allowed it to happen.
We've been down all these roads before
We've been through different phases in our relationship and we keep repeating the same patterns.
And what we found don't live there anymore
Our love has changed over time and the things that were once important to us no longer matter.
It's dark
The situation we're in is bleak with no hope in sight.
It's cold
Our relationship is distant and lacking in warmth.
If my hand is not the one you're meant to hold
If you're not meant to be with me, then I must let you go.
Maybe you'd be happier with someone else
Perhaps our relationship isn't fulfilling enough for you and others can make you happier.
Maybe loving me's the reason you can't love yourself
Maybe my love has become a crutch for you and you can't find love within yourself.
Before I turn your heart into a ghost town
Before I hurt you so much that you can't trust love again.
Show me everything we built so I can tear it all down
Let me see how our relationship is structured so that I can destroy it completely.
Been holding up what wasn't meant to stand
I've been trying to make this relationship work when it wasn't meant to be from the start.
I turned this love into a wasteland
My actions over time have destroyed the love between us.
The streets are empty
The love that was once present has disappeared.
Where love once was but it's faded away
The love that was once present has dwindled over time.
These broken memories
Remnants of our relationship are now fragmented and broken.
I'm left here alone and afraid to say
I am now alone and unsure of how to express my emotions.
I'll tear it all down
I will destroy everything we ever built to move on from this relationship.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Benson Boone, Justin Thomas Daly, Nolan Winfield Sipe, Tushar Apte
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SEXY GIRLS 💋💦
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------💋 SHAKE-BODY.COM/marsya 💋
ℕ𝕒𝕜𝕖𝕕 𝕘𝕚𝕣𝕝𝕤👆
THREE IN ONE
L...❤❤❤...
YOUTUBE: THIS IS FINE.
THREE IN ONE
SOMEONE: SAYS ''HECK''.
YOUTUBE: BE GONE
Life's story is a short journey so have fun before sleeping forever
#Чо #эт #делает #на #2 #месте #в #тренде
#однако #я #люблю #таких #рыбаков .#垃圾.
Megan: ''Hotter''
Hopi: ''Sweeter''
Joonie: ''Cooler''
Yoongi: ''Butter''
Жизнь, как красивая мелодия, только песни перепутались.
#ライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！#この日のライブ配信は、#かならりやばかったですね！１#万人を超える人が見ていたもんね（笑）#やっぱり人参最高！#まさかのカメラ切り忘れでやら1かしたのもドキドキでした！#今後は気を付けないとね5). .
!💖🖤❤#今後は気をライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！#この日のライブ配信は、#１万人を超える人が見ていたも ん（#笑）#やっぱり人参最高！#まさかのカメラ切り忘れでやら1かしたのもドキドキでした #今後は気をライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！（ #笑）#垃圾
SEXY GIRLS 💋💦
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------💋 SHAKE-BODY.COM/marsya 💋
ℕ𝕒𝕜𝕖𝕕 𝕘𝕚𝕣𝕝𝕤👆
THREE IN ONE
L...❤❤❤...
YOUTUBE: THIS IS FINE.
THREE IN ONE
SOMEONE: SAYS ''HECK''.
YOUTUBE: BE GONE
Life's story is a short journey so have fun before sleeping forever
#Чо #эт #делает #на #2 #месте #в #тренде
#однако #я #люблю #таких #рыбаков .#垃圾.
Megan: ''Hotter''
Hopi: ''Sweeter''
Joonie: ''Cooler''
Yoongi: ''Butter''
Жизнь, как красивая мелодия, только песни перепутались.
#ライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！#この日のライブ配信は、#かならりやばかったですね！１#万人を超える人が見ていたもんね（笑）#やっぱり人参最高！#まさかのカメラ切り忘れでやら1かしたのもドキドキでした！#今後は気を付けないとね5). .
!💖🖤❤#今後は気をライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！#この日のライブ配信は、#１万人を超える人が見ていたも ん（#笑）#やっぱり人参最高！#まさかのカメラ切り忘れでやら1かしたのもドキドキでした #今後は気をライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！（ #笑）#垃圾
SEXY GIRLS 💋💦
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------💋 SHAKE-BODY.COM/marsya 💋
ℕ𝕒𝕜𝕖𝕕 𝕘𝕚𝕣𝕝𝕤👆
THREE IN ONE
L...❤❤❤...
YOUTUBE: THIS IS FINE.
THREE IN ONE
SOMEONE: SAYS ''HECK''.
YOUTUBE: BE GONE
Life's story is a short journey so have fun before sleeping forever
#Чо #эт #делает #на #2 #месте #в #тренде
#однако #я #люблю #таких #рыбаков .#垃圾.
Megan: ''Hotter''
Hopi: ''Sweeter''
Joonie: ''Cooler''
Yoongi: ''Butter''
Жизнь, как красивая мелодия, только песни перепутались.
#ライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！#この日のライブ配信は、#かならりやばかったですね！１#万人を超える人が見ていたもんね（笑）#やっぱり人参最高！#まさかのカメラ切り忘れでやら1かしたのもドキドキでした！#今後は気を付けないとね5). .
!💖🖤❤#今後は気をライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！#この日のライブ配信は、#１万人を超える人が見ていたも ん（#笑）#やっぱり人参最高！#まさかのカメラ切り忘れでやら1かしたのもドキドキでした #今後は気をライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！（ #笑）#垃圾
SEXY GIRLS 💋💦
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------💋 SHAKE-BODY.COM/marsya 💋
ℕ𝕒𝕜𝕖𝕕 𝕘𝕚𝕣𝕝𝕤👆
THREE IN ONE
L...❤❤❤...
YOUTUBE: THIS IS FINE.
THREE IN ONE
SOMEONE: SAYS ''HECK''.
YOUTUBE: BE GONE
Life's story is a short journey so have fun before sleeping forever
#Чо #эт #делает #на #2 #месте #в #тренде
#однако #я #люблю #таких #рыбаков .#垃圾.
Megan: ''Hotter''
Hopi: ''Sweeter''
Joonie: ''Cooler''
Yoongi: ''Butter''
Жизнь, как красивая мелодия, только песни перепутались.
#ライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！#この日のライブ配信は、#かならりやばかったですね！１#万人を超える人が見ていたもんね（笑）#やっぱり人参最高！#まさかのカメラ切り忘れでやら1かしたのもドキドキでした！#今後は気を付けないとね5). .
!💖🖤❤#今後は気をライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！#この日のライブ配信は、#１万人を超える人が見ていたも ん（#笑）#やっぱり人参最高！#まさかのカメラ切り忘れでやら1かしたのもドキドキでした #今後は気をライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！（ #笑）#垃圾
avsatx7
This song just has a sound that no other song has or can replicate, it is amazing and I love how it is so relatable. Keep up the great work, you'll be on top someday!!!
L Castellanos
It’s his voice ✨💫
SEXY GIRLS 💋💦
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------💋 SHAKE-BODY.COM/marsya 💋
ℕ𝕒𝕜𝕖𝕕 𝕘𝕚𝕣𝕝𝕤👆
THREE IN ONE
L...❤❤❤...
YOUTUBE: THIS IS FINE.
THREE IN ONE
SOMEONE: SAYS ''HECK''.
YOUTUBE: BE GONE
Life's story is a short journey so have fun before sleeping forever
#Чо #эт #делает #на #2 #месте #в #тренде
#однако #я #люблю #таких #рыбаков .#垃圾.
Megan: ''Hotter''
Hopi: ''Sweeter''
Joonie: ''Cooler''
Yoongi: ''Butter''
Жизнь, как красивая мелодия, только песни перепутались.
#ライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！#この日のライブ配信は、#かならりやばかったですね！１#万人を超える人が見ていたもんね（笑）#やっぱり人参最高！#まさかのカメラ切り忘れでやら1かしたのもドキドキでした！#今後は気を付けないとね5). .
!💖🖤❤#今後は気をライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！#この日のライブ配信は、#１万人を超える人が見ていたも ん（#笑）#やっぱり人参最高！#まさかのカメラ切り忘れでやら1かしたのもドキドキでした #今後は気をライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！（ #笑）#垃圾
Sara Elmalky
I LOVE THIS SONG, I bet your gonna be a great artist!!!!
SEXY GIRLS 💋💦
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------💋 SHAKE-BODY.COM/marsya 💋
ℕ𝕒𝕜𝕖𝕕 𝕘𝕚𝕣𝕝𝕤👆
THREE IN ONE
L...❤❤❤...
YOUTUBE: THIS IS FINE.
THREE IN ONE
SOMEONE: SAYS ''HECK''.
YOUTUBE: BE GONE
Life's story is a short journey so have fun before sleeping forever
#Чо #эт #делает #на #2 #месте #в #тренде
#однако #я #люблю #таких #рыбаков .#垃圾.
Megan: ''Hotter''
Hopi: ''Sweeter''
Joonie: ''Cooler''
Yoongi: ''Butter''
Жизнь, как красивая мелодия, только песни перепутались.
#ライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！#この日のライブ配信は、#かならりやばかったですね！１#万人を超える人が見ていたもんね（笑）#やっぱり人参最高！#まさかのカメラ切り忘れでやら1かしたのもドキドキでした！#今後は気を付けないとね5). .
!💖🖤❤#今後は気をライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！#この日のライブ配信は、#１万人を超える人が見ていたも ん（#笑）#やっぱり人参最高！#まさかのカメラ切り忘れでやら1かしたのもドキドキでした #今後は気をライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！（ #笑）#垃圾
Jaelyn Karol
You’re going places benson! So happy for you! I love that I get to watch your journey!
Musiclover21
Can't wait to hear more from him ❤️
SEXY GIRLS 💋💦
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------💋 SHAKE-BODY.COM/marsya 💋
ℕ𝕒𝕜𝕖𝕕 𝕘𝕚𝕣𝕝𝕤👆
THREE IN ONE
L...❤❤❤...
YOUTUBE: THIS IS FINE.
THREE IN ONE
SOMEONE: SAYS ''HECK''.
YOUTUBE: BE GONE
Life's story is a short journey so have fun before sleeping forever
#Чо #эт #делает #на #2 #месте #в #тренде
#однако #я #люблю #таких #рыбаков .#垃圾.
Megan: ''Hotter''
Hopi: ''Sweeter''
Joonie: ''Cooler''
Yoongi: ''Butter''
Жизнь, как красивая мелодия, только песни перепутались.
#ライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！#この日のライブ配信は、#かならりやばかったですね！１#万人を超える人が見ていたもんね（笑）#やっぱり人参最高！#まさかのカメラ切り忘れでやら1かしたのもドキドキでした！#今後は気を付けないとね5). .
!💖🖤❤#今後は気をライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！#この日のライブ配信は、#１万人を超える人が見ていたも ん（#笑）#やっぱり人参最高！#まさかのカメラ切り忘れでやら1かしたのもドキドキでした #今後は気をライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！（ #笑）#垃圾
Marissa Friedl
This is awesome I love the simplicity and beauty of the tabs and single guitar!!!
SEXY GIRLS 💋💦
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------💋 SHAKE-BODY.COM/marsya 💋
ℕ𝕒𝕜𝕖𝕕 𝕘𝕚𝕣𝕝𝕤👆
THREE IN ONE
L...❤❤❤...
YOUTUBE: THIS IS FINE.
THREE IN ONE
SOMEONE: SAYS ''HECK''.
YOUTUBE: BE GONE
Life's story is a short journey so have fun before sleeping forever
#Чо #эт #делает #на #2 #месте #в #тренде
#однако #я #люблю #таких #рыбаков .#垃圾.
Megan: ''Hotter''
Hopi: ''Sweeter''
Joonie: ''Cooler''
Yoongi: ''Butter''
Жизнь, как красивая мелодия, только песни перепутались.
#ライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！#この日のライブ配信は、#かならりやばかったですね！１#万人を超える人が見ていたもんね（笑）#やっぱり人参最高！#まさかのカメラ切り忘れでやら1かしたのもドキドキでした！#今後は気を付けないとね5). .
!💖🖤❤#今後は気をライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！#この日のライブ配信は、#１万人を超える人が見ていたも ん（#笑）#やっぱり人参最高！#まさかのカメラ切り忘れでやら1かしたのもドキドキでした #今後は気をライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！（ #笑）#垃圾