Seen a Ghost
Honeydogs Lyrics
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Toss and turn in our bed, back to back
Your breaths are deep
And pills they help me go to sleep
Forget who I am, what I want
Where I'm going
But I've just seen a ghost
To your past, my favorite toast
Seen a ghost
Seen a ghost
Let down your rope
So I can crawl out of my head
Crawl out of, crawl out of my head
I, I'm an open book
Have you read enough?
A bird that's full flies away
Straight, I stand up on my artificial bones
Won't you, won't you take me home?
'Cause I can't leave you alone
Seen a ghost
Seen a ghost
Seen a ghost
The Honeydogs’ “Seen a Ghost” creates a hauntingly introspective atmosphere. The opening line sets the scene for a restless night with bells ringing in the background. The vocal delivery is almost whispered, creating a sense of intimacy between the listener and the singer. The second stanza reveals a struggling relationship where the couple sleeps back-to-back, supplemented by pills that help the singer forget who they are and where they are going. It is interesting to note that the pills are only a temporary solution to the problem at hand. The artificial bones mentioned are a metaphor for fake, superficial strength. Thus, the line “I stand up on my artificial bones” suggests that the person is trying to be strong, but they are, in fact, fragile.
The repetition of "Seen a ghost" says so much with so little. The “ghost” can represent a former version of oneself, love, or a lost memory. The phrase "To your past, my favorite toast" potentially implies that memories are often better than reality as people reminisce and idealize the past. The singer implores for someone to "let down your rope" to let them escape the thoughts haunting their mind. The closing lines imply that the singer cannot leave the other person alone, as they might be the only grounding force in their life.
Overall, “Seen a Ghost” brilliantly captures the pain of living with a haunted past and the desperate search for solace. The lyrics are melancholic and thought-provoking, drawing the listener into the singer's emotional state.
Line by Line Meaning
Bells, they rang all night
Throughout the night, the sound of bells persisted
Toss and turn in our bed, back to back
We were restless, tossing and turning, lying back to back on the bed
Your breaths are deep
Your breathing was deep
And pills they help me go to sleep
I took pills to help me fall asleep
Forget who I am, what I want
Where I'm going
I wanted to forget my identity, desires, and future destination
Straight, stand up on my artificial bones
I stood up straight, supported by prosthetic bones
But I've just seen a ghost
I had just experienced something supernatural that frightened me
To your past, my favorite toast
I could toast to your past, something that I enjoy doing
Seen a ghost
Seen a ghost
I have seen a ghost and I am still shaken by it
Let down your rope
So I can crawl out of my head
Crawl out of, crawl out of my head
I needed someone to help me escape from my thoughts, to pull me out of my own head
I, I'm an open book
Have you read enough?
I am an open person and I wonder if you have learned enough about me
A bird that's full flies away
Sometimes, when you have experienced enough, you can move on from a situation or relationship
Won't you, won't you take me home?
'Cause I can't leave you alone
I wanted to be taken home because I couldn't bear to be alone without you
Seen a ghost
Seen a ghost
Seen a ghost
The image of the ghost I saw continued to haunt me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM L. LEVY, NOAH LEVY, THOMAS BORSCHEID, TRENT NORTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind