The band takes its name from Bishop Allen Drive in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where the two lived together after college and has released three albums, "Charm School" (2003), "The Broken String" (2007) and "Grrr..." (2009).
Charm School (2003)
Charm School was Bishop Allen's first record. Recorded in fits and starts over two years, it grew song-by-song as Rice and Rudder wrote and played in their spare time. They recorded all the instruments on the album's 13 songs themselves, using drum loops to hide the fact that neither is a drummer, and almost everything on the record was recorded one track at a time in an ordinary bedroom. Backing vocals by Bonnie Schiff-Glenn and Kate Dollenmayer and supplementary drums by Coll Anderson, all added in the album's final stages, completed the songs.
The EP Project (2006)
In 2006, Bishop Allen recorded and released an EP every month of the year. Each record was titled for the month of its release (January, February, and so on), and, with the exception of August, which was a 14-song live disc, each contained four new studio songs.
The Broken String (2007)
In November 2006, Bishop Allen signed to Dead Oceans, a new sister label to Secretly Canadian and Jagjaguwar, for a modest advance. They began recording a new record that January, at Blackwatch Studios in Norman, Oklahoma, and delivered it two months later. This is Bishop Allen's first true studio recording and was released by Dead Oceans on July 24, 2007.
Grrr.... (2009)
Released in March 2009, this doesn't stray from Bishop Allen's specific brand of lovely indie pop.
Ghosts Are Good Company (Early
Bishop Allen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just to hear voices
Just to see faces
I was so alone
I went deep
Into my graveyards
Found my ghosts there
I can't do this, I can't do that
I can't believe I got so fat
At least ghosts are good company
I can't believe it is so cold
I should get up before I get old
And then I'll change my ways
Before my ways change me
I was afraid
Afraid of the emptiness
Afraid of the silence
Afraid of my ghosts
Now they're here
We can share laughter
Talk about old times
It's not so bad
Now the world
Is suddenly wonderful
And I think:
Hey, I can live here again
Well, these ghosts
They will not leave me
They're the best company
That I've ever had
The lyrics of Bishop Allen's song "Ghosts Are Good Company" tell the story of the singer's journey through loneliness and fear, and how they were able to find solace in the company of ghosts. The first verse speaks to the singer's isolation, expressing a longing just to hear voices and see faces. The second verse reveals that the singer sought out their ghosts in graveyards and found comfort in their presence. The singer reflects on their limitations and the things they can't do, but appreciates the companionship of their ghosts. The song ends on a positive note, with the singer realizing that their ghosts will always be with them and that they are the best company they have ever had.
The concept of ghosts as companions is an intriguing one, and the lyrics of this song explore it in a unique and poignant way. The song is also notable for its use of vivid imagery, particularly in the second verse where the singer describes going to graveyards to find their ghosts. The juxtaposition of fear and comfort, loneliness and companionship, creates a complex emotional landscape that is both melancholy and uplifting.
Line by Line Meaning
I would've died
I was so isolated and desperate for social interaction that I felt like I'd rather die than be alone.
Just to hear voices
I longed for the comfort and familiarity of hearing other people speak.
Just to see faces
I craved the sense of belonging that comes from seeing and recognizing people's faces.
I was so alone
I felt incredibly isolated and disconnected from others.
I went deep
I delved deeply into myself, seeking ways to escape the loneliness.
Into my graveyards
I explored the darkest corners of my mind and soul, where I buried painful memories and regrets.
Found my ghosts there
I rediscovered the echoes of my past that still haunted me and contributed to my feelings of loneliness.
They're with me still
Despite my efforts to move on from the past, the memories and ghosts that once haunted me are still present in my life.
I can't do this, I can't do that
I feel limited by my personal weaknesses and imperfections, which prevent me from living the life I want.
I can't believe I got so fat
I'm disappointed in myself for letting my body get out of shape and feeling like I've lost control over my physical health.
At least ghosts are good company
Despite the limitations I feel about myself, I find solace in the memories and ghosts of my past who accompany me in my loneliness.
I can't believe it is so cold
I am surprised and disappointed by how harsh and unwelcoming the world can be at times.
I should get up before I get old
I realize that I need to make changes and take action before it's too late and I become trapped in a life of unhappiness and regret.
And then I'll change my ways
I plan to make important lifestyle changes so that I can improve my physical and mental well-being.
Before my ways change me
I recognize how negative habits and unhealthy behaviors can have a deep impact on my life, influencing my personality and values for the worse.
I was afraid
I experienced a deep sense of fear and unease due to my isolation and loneliness.
Afraid of the emptiness
I feared the emptiness and futility that comes from living a life without meaningful human connections.
Afraid of the silence
I was afraid of the eerie and unsettling silence that permeates a life of loneliness and isolation.
Afraid of my ghosts
I was afraid of the painful memories and ghosts from my past that haunted me and contributed to my feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Now they're here
However, since rediscovering these memories and ghosts from my past, they have become a source of comfort and solace for me.
We can share laughter
Despite the painful memories, the ghosts from my past can still bring nostalgia and joy, allowing me to share laughter and happy moments with them.
Talk about old times
I can relive and reflect on happy moments from my past, reminiscing with the ghosts that still haunt me.
It's not so bad
Through rediscovering the ghosts and memories of my past, I have found a source of comfort and camaraderie, helping me to bear the burden of loneliness and sadness.
Now the world
Through this newfound comfort and solace, I have developed a more positive perspective on the world around me.
Is suddenly wonderful
I am able to see the beauty and wonder of life, even amidst the inherent pain and sadness that comes from living.
And I think:
My thoughts and perspective have shifted, allowing me to see the world in a new and more positive light.
Hey, I can live here again
I have gained the confidence and emotional strength to engage with the world around me once more, seeing its beauty and potential rather than only its pain and loneliness.
Well, these ghosts
Despite the pain they represent, these memories and ghosts from my past have become a source of comfort and joy for me.
They will not leave me
Despite the painful memories and emotions they represent, these ghosts and memories will always be a part of me and my life.
They're the best company
Through their nostalgia and comfort, these ghosts and memories have become my closest and most valued companions, providing me with the comfort, solace, and camaraderie that I so desperately need in a life of loneliness and isolation.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Christian Rudder, Justin Rice
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
arcticfairy1
love this song.<3 "The driver, cut and weaved so crazy, just his luck kept him alive" - perfect.
Matthew Johnson
this song has the best lyrics ever. My favorite line is, "to dance their first cotillion, every single one of them named Jennifer."
JXtyp22
Ted Mosby's Song of the Day! :)
Neha Ahmed
nah i don't think it's insulting; he's just talking about his experience in asia and how it feels like to be in a new country completely different from your own.
billmull
I shall find a new way to get to NYC!
Kristofferson White
my name is christopher and my sisters name is jennifer.. i know thats no big deal but that freaked me out that our names were used in the same line haha
spazticwatermelon
only 13k views?!
Bip
it's Nǎilào