It Bites reformed in 2006. Although Dunnery has been replaced by John Mitchell (Kino (UK), Arena, The Urbane, Frost*). Bassist Dick Nolan was replaced in 2008 with Lee Pomeroy.
The current band members are:
John Mitchell (vocals, guitar), John Beck (keyboards), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Bob Dalton (drums)
Ghosts
It Bites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another open letter, well, a reason to explain
I used to walk so quietly, I’d sit beneath the stairs
And all the while it’s just a lie, the signs were never there
Chorus:
Whenever I go back there, I see ghosts
However close I get, you are the thing I love the most
How everything reminds me of a space I have to fill this time
Tearing ivy, leaving Monday, pushing through the rain
I couldn’t bear to leave you but I didn’t dare to stay
I used to watch the 35s, I tried to break the wall
However far I travel, there’s no distance there at all
(Chorus)
I’m walking in your footsteps but it’s one step at a time
This looking back is easier than straying from the line
I still believe in little steps, the quietest of all are best
The past is behind me, it hurts still, it binds me
I’m tired of disaffection, this affliction can’t be bought
You promised me a million, here’s a penny for your thoughts
I used to see in black and white and read between the lines
Now everything I hated I’m becoming more with time
(Chorus)
The lyrics of "Ghosts" by It Bites depict a person looking back at their past and the memories that haunt them. We see a person torn between leaving and staying, facing their own internal conflicts, and feeling like they have something to prove. The first verse talks about the persona leaving on a Sunday, tearing up ivy, and writing open letters as an attempt to explain themselves. The lines "I'd sit beneath the stairs, and all the while it’s just a lie, the signs were never there" suggest that the persona's past could have been based on self-deception and denial.
The chorus talks about the ghosts that still haunt the persona whenever they go back to the places where their past memories were made. They mention that everything reminds them of a space they have to fill this time. The second verse describes a similar situation where the persona is leaving on a Monday, pushing through the rain, unable to leave but also not able to stay. They tried to break the wall, watch the buses drive by, and come to the realization that there is no distance wherever they go.
The last verse talks about the persona walking in someone's footsteps, but they are taking it one step at a time. They find it easier to look back than to stray from the line. They still believe that taking little steps is the best way to proceed, even though the past still hurts and binds them. The persona is tired of feeling disaffected, and what they once hated is now becoming part of them.
Line by Line Meaning
Tearing ivy, leaving Sunday, here we go again
Starting over again, leaving behind the past
Another open letter, well, a reason to explain
Trying to justify my actions in a letter
I used to walk so quietly, I’d sit beneath the stairs
I used to be silent and hide away
And all the while it’s just a lie, the signs were never there
I kept lying to myself and ignoring the warning signs
Whenever I go back there, I see ghosts
I can't escape my memories of you
However close I get, you are the thing I love the most
No matter how hard I try to move on, I still love you
Whenever I go back there, I stand still
I feel trapped and unable to move forward
How everything reminds me of a space I have to fill this time
Everything reminds me of the emptiness without you
Tearing ivy, leaving Monday, pushing through the rain
Starting over on a new day, despite the difficulties
I couldn’t bear to leave you but I didn’t dare to stay
I was torn between staying and leaving
I used to watch the 35s, I tried to break the wall
I tried to escape my problems but couldn't
However far I travel, there’s no distance there at all
I can't escape my memories of you no matter where I go
I’m walking in your footsteps but it’s one step at a time
I'm trying to follow in your path but it's difficult
This looking back is easier than straying from the line
It's easier to dwell on the past than to move on
I still believe in little steps, the quietest of all are best
I believe in taking small, steady steps towards my goals
The past is behind me, it hurts still, it binds me
I'm trying to move on from the past but it still haunts me
I’m tired of disaffection, this affliction can’t be bought
I'm tired of feeling disconnected, money can't fix my problems
You promised me a million, here’s a penny for your thoughts
You made big promises but didn't deliver
I used to see in black and white and read between the lines
I used to be naïve and thought everything was clear
Now everything I hated I’m becoming more with time
I'm becoming more like the things I used to hate
Contributed by Kayla K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
gringochucha
Great song. I bought the album a few months ago and I've had this song in my head ever since.
Harry Hubbard
Did this band actually write the book on Second Generation Prog? I think so. No slight on FD, but let's face it, JM is one helluva player and awesome in his own right. Who can't adore Beck and Dalton? And of course, I do miss the tophat.
DudemanSwede
Love it - Saw 'em in Worpswede, Germany. Great stuff. I always think of "Synchronicity II", when I hear "Ghosts". Luckily I happen to love "Synchronicity II"... :-)
Davide Dalpiaz
I think of SII too! 😊
Billy Arbuckle
John Mitchell is amazing been in so many bands
Back 2 the 80's
This song has 007 all over it!
santy snowdog.
waoooo, this is a great band a d great music... that i never ear before.. thanks..
John Donald
Lee is everywhere!
wayne burgess
Would have made a decent Bond theme this 👍
Leo Grigo
M@ddw
.elton?A#RA M