A free EP entitled 'The Sound of Strangers' sidled into the public domain in June 2010. It gained him a coveted spot in The Guardian's "New Band of the Day" feature and a record contract with Gilles Peterson's Brownswood Recordings imprint.
Ghostpoet dropped his debut single 'Cash and Carry Me Home' on 24th January 2011, followed by his album 'Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam' on 7th February. The 19th of July saw the debut album nominated for the Mercury Prize '2011 Albums of the Year. His single 'Survive It' was launched in Rough Trade East Record store, on May 9th 2011. A third single, 'Liiines' was promoted on September 2011 with a remix by xxxy.
In February 2013, Ghostpoet premiered ‘MSI MUSMID’ on Gilles Peterson’s Saturday BBC 6Music show; a teaser track from his second album ‘Some Say I So I Say Light’. The sophomore album was co-produced with Richard Formby (Wild Beasts, Darkstar, Egyptian Hip-Hop) and released on the 6th May 2013 through Play It Again Sam.
Off Peak Dreams was premiered on January the 7th, 2015. It was announced that Ghostpoet's third album, "Shedding Skin", would be released on March 2nd. The album was recorded with a traditional live set up with what has become his touring band; Joe Newman on guitar, bass player, John Calvert and John Blease on drums. The self-produced album also features guest vocals from Nadine Shah, Etta Bond, Melanie De Biasio, Lucy Rose and Maxïmo Park’s Paul Smith.
http://ghostpoet.co.uk
Freakshow
Ghostpoet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I guess Westfield knows what I want
Feesl funny if I died, still heavy
So, I swipe left and figured out
It's a freakshow
Nothing gives us quite a view
So easy to see
It's a freakshow
Ooh, yeah, I feel it all over my body
Let me out
Let me go
It's a freakshow
Shutters down, nothing to see
We're all living here confused, the life's slumber, weak, I'm beat
All these extra doors giving me gears, man
It's a nightmare, I'm screaming out
It's a freakshow
Nothing gives us quite a view
So easy to see
You strung me along
It's a freakshow
Ooh, yeah, I feel it all over my body
Let me out
Let me go
It's a freakshow
Stuck in my corner of doubt
Tried to break free of misery, whatever made you shovel clout
All these sideeyes are leaving me paralysed
So, I sit back and let it out
It's a freakshow
Nothing gives us quite a view
So easy to see
You strung me along
It's a freakshow
Ooh, yeah, I feel it all over my body
Let me out
Let me go
It's a freakshow
Nothing gives us quite a view
So easy to see
You strung me along
It's a freakshow
Ooh, yeah, I feel it all over my body
Let me out
Let me go
It's a freakshow
Ghostpoet's "Freakshow" is a song that captures feelings of entrapment and disillusionment with city life. The opening lines suggest that the singer has been stuck in the city for a long time and perhaps even finds comfort in the familiarity of the shopping center, Westfield. The reference to swiping left implies that the singer is using a dating app but still feels heavy and trapped, possibly due to constant rejection or unfulfilled desires. The repeated refrain of "It's a freakshow" suggests that the singer sees the world around him as a circus, a display of oddities to be observed without any sense of real connection or understanding.
The second verse hints at the singer's frustration with the constant noise and confusion of city life. He describes being "paralysed" by the judgmental stares of others and feeling trapped behind "extra doors." The repetition of "It's a nightmare, I'm screaming out" emphasizes the sense of helplessness and desperation that he feels. Overall, the song seems to be an indictment of the false promises and empty distractions of modern urban life.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't left the city in months
I haven't gone out of the city for many months.
I guess Westfield knows what I want
I believe that the mall always has what I need.
Feels funny if I died, still heavy
It seems strange that if I die, I'll still have a lot of weight to bear.
So, I swipe left and figured out
Therefore, I decided to reject what I saw on my phone screen.
It's a freakshow
Everything is strange and unusual.
Nothing gives us quite a view
We don't see anything that makes sense.
So easy to see
It is so visible and obvious.
You strung me along
You have been leading me on and manipulating me.
Ooh, yeah, I feel it all over my body
I sense it very deeply and emotionally.
Let me out
Please help me get out of this situation.
Let me go
Set me free from this freakshow.
Shutters down, nothing to see
Everything is closed and there's nothing to look at.
We're all living here confused, the life's slumber, weak, I'm beat
We're all living in a state of confusion, lethargy, and exhaustion.
All these extra doors giving me gears, man
I'm having trouble with all these additional doors around me.
It's a nightmare, I'm screaming out
This situation is a terrible dream, and I'm crying for help.
Stuck in my corner of doubt
I'm trapped in a place of uncertainty and hesitation.
Tried to break free of misery, whatever made you shovel clout
I attempted to escape from unhappiness, but something forced me to be influential.
All these sideeyes are leaving me paralyzed
All these judgmental looks are making me feel helpless.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Obaro Ejimiwe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Melodi Var Öngel
his voice and the song itself are killing me!! literally can't stop listening!!
Henry Knight-willis
top, top track! once again Ghost poet restores my faith in music!👍
Julee Cruise
Henry Knight-willis exactly!!
sexypoetry
you have written this way to clearly....can you muddle it up a bit, so it's hard to read?
qlvecchiopaiodijeans
It's incredible how he anticipated what would happen in 2020 and he rightly uses the words freak show.
richeytclear
He was my favourite from the moment I heard his voice.
Constantine シ
I love his voice so much
Paul R
Constantine シ agreed. Real good flow and Proper distinctive delivery .. good good double good
Julee Cruise
Constantine シ oh my God! Me too!
Constantine シ
Julee Cruise awesome hehe 🙃