The Ghost Inside
Broken Bell Lyrics
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Good solid currency's the hardest to land
All of that money helps you cover your ass
Don't let the ladyfinger blow in your hands
Did it all
For that dollar
She's a star tonight
She gave up the ghost inside
Just like a whiskey bottle drained on the floor
She got no future, just a life to endure
This good Samaritan is shakin' her hand
Too late to leave here now the songs in the can
Give it up
For that dollar
She's a star tonight
Without warning
She gave up the ghost inside
You call it chivalry
Never pull a punch for free
You ever wonder why they had to move on?
This phony honor code
That put you on your throne
A double standard you invoke when you want
For that dollar
She's a star tonight
Without warning
She gave up the ghost inside
Was it all for show?
Don't turn into one of them
Turning another page
Trust me darling
I'm carving 'em up through the dust in your town
Crawling over rubble
Just to serve you
Tend to wonder why
The lyrics to Broken Bells' song Ghost Inside describe a woman who has "sold her love to a modern man" because "solid currency's the hardest to love." This suggests that she is in love with someone who is more focused on money and material possessions than on love and emotional connection. The woman is also dealing with other "modern hells" and trying to avoid being hurt by them. The line "don't let the lady finger blow in your hat" may be a warning not to let someone else manipulate or control her.
The chorus of the song repeats the lines "Feel like a daughter, she's a star tonight, without warning she gave up the ghost inside." This could be interpreted as the woman losing herself and her identity in the relationship, becoming like a child or a starlet who is controlled by others. The phrase "without warning" implies that she may have been caught off guard by the way she has changed, and that she may be struggling to regain her sense of self.
Later in the song, there are references to "chivalry" and "double standards." The woman may feel frustrated by societal expectations and gender roles that limit her freedom and agency. The line "they call it chivalry, never pull a punch for free" suggests that men may use gestures of chivalry as a way to assert their power or control over women. The woman may feel angry or resentful about this, but unsure how to break free of these constraints.
Overall, the song seems to be about a woman who is struggling to find herself and maintain her sense of identity in a world that is full of pressures and expectations. The lyrics suggest that she may have lost sight of who she really is, and that she is looking for a way to reclaim her own power and agency.
Line by Line Meaning
She sold her love to a modern man
She gave her love to a man who values money more than anything else.
Cause solid currency's the hardest to love
People who are obsessed with money find it hard to love anything else.
All other modern hells you cover your eye
People turn a blind eye to other modern problems.
Don't let the lady finger blow in your hat
Be careful of women who might deceive you.
Di-di-da
Non-verbal sounds. No clear meaning.
Feel like a daughter
She feels vulnerable and needs protection.
She's a star tonight
She is the center of attention.
Without warning
She gave up
The ghost inside
She suddenly lost her spirit, will, or motivation.
This gives some matter to shaking her hide
This makes her scared or anxious.
Too late to leave him' are the songs in her car
She feels stuck in a bad relationship.
Feel like a daughter
She feels vulnerable and needs protection.
She's a star tonight
She is the center of attention.
They call it chivalry
Never pull a punch for free
You ever wonder why they had to move on
People use chivalry as an excuse for violence, and she wonders why some people had to leave.
This phony article
That put you on the floor
A double standard
You envoke when you want
She is angry about people who lie and the double standards they employ to justify their actions.
Was it all for show?
To turn into all of them
Turning a page
She wonders if their relationship was fake and if he is like the rest of them.
Trust me darlin'
I'm carving 'em up through the dust in your town
Crawling over rubble, just to sound me out
Tend to wonder why?
The artist is trying to win her trust and convince her that he truly cares for her, despite the rubble and destruction of their town. She wonders why she should trust him.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Brian Joseph Burton, James Russell Mercer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@flipbackification
The girl wants to 'be a star' but she has to sell her body parts to get there. She realizes that her dream isn't possible without them, like she can't even accept that drink without her hand. Once she finally makes it to her destination, her paradise turns out to be ruins and dust. It's basically about the dangers of giving up parts of yourself for a dream, because those missing parts make it worthless. Also, be sure that whatever you're chasing will actually exist when you get there.
@baddoomguy1986
Stay woke, fellas.
You call it chivalry
Never pull a punch for free
You ever wonder why they had to move on
This phony honor code
That put you on your throne
A double-standard you invoke when you want
@jonnalowe327
We are all part of life.. over n over I knw u now known u then and will meet u soon
@caseyrogers4001
Top Comment.
@caseyrogers4001
PM 4 Mo
@lukedoran1615
Powerful ain’t it
@rccdbcars9993
11 years since it came out. Time flies. good memories
@rubymichelle
Right? And It’s still SO good. It could have came out yesterday. That’s how ahead of it’s time this music was.
@hipopotomusman
wtf, i can swear it was longer than that ago that i got an ipod, this song was just automatically put on to my itunes , i always wanted to listen to "the ghost inside" but would always accidentally choose this song lol
@skahtay16
This is a prime example of what a music video should be. Tell a story while still fitting to the mood and pacing of the song while doing it in a creative way.