He returned in April 2010 with a critically acclaimed debut solo album recorded with Midlake. 'Queen of Denmark' was Mojo magazine's Album of the Year for 2010; it was also named as one of the best ten albums of 2010 by the Guardian's music critics and writers.
'Pale Green Ghosts', his second solo effort, was released on 11th March 2013 and it features Sinéad O'Connor as guest vocalist.
Pale Green Ghosts
John Grant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Driving on the road at night
And the radio was broadcasting the ocean
Warm late spring wind whips through my hair
I am right here, but I wanna be there
And no one in this world is gonna stop me
Pale green ghosts at the end of May
Helping me to know my place
Pale green ghosts, must take great care
Release themselves into the air
Reminding me that I must be aware
At 25 and 36 to Boulder, I was getting warm
But now I'm getting colder
And I stomp my feet, demanding like a child
I hope you get everything you wanted boy
I hope you conquer the world and turn it into your toy
But don't come crying when you're forced to learn the truth
[Repeat x2]
Pale green ghosts at the end of May
Soldiers of this black highway
Helping me to know my place
Pale green ghosts, must take great care
Release themselves into the air
Reminding me that I must be aware
The lyrics of John Grant's song Pale Green Ghosts describe the internal conflict of the artist, who finds himself on a solitary night drive, listening to the radio and feeling the wind whipping through his hair. The pale green ghosts at the end of May are symbolic of his anxieties and uncertainties, which he must confront and overcome. The soldiers of the black highway represent the challenges he must face on his journey, and they help him to discover his place and purpose in the world. The artist is demanding and ambitious, hoping to conquer the world and turn it into his toy, yet he is also aware that there is a painful truth to be learned, which he may not be prepared to face.
In the lyrics, the artist uses the powerful metaphor of pale green ghosts to convey his feelings of uncertainty and anxiety. The pale green color symbolizes both life and death, growth and decay, and thus represents the dynamic tension between these opposing forces. The ghosts represent the remnants of the past, the things that haunt us and keep us from being fully present in the moment. They also symbolize our fears and doubts, and the challenges we must overcome in order to grow and change.
Overall, the lyrics of Pale Green Ghosts are a powerful expression of the human condition, exploring the complex interplay of hope and despair, ambition and doubt, life and death. Through his poetry, John Grant offers a poignant meditation on the struggles we all face in our journey through life.
Line by Line Meaning
Back then I often found myself
I frequently found myself doing something in the past
Driving on the road at night
Operating a vehicle during nighttime hours
And the radio was broadcasting the ocean
The radio was playing the sound of the ocean
Warm late spring wind whips through my hair
Gentle, warm wind during late spring moves my hair
I am right here, but I wanna be there
I'm physically present, but I desire to be elsewhere
And no one in this world is gonna stop me
Nobody can prevent me from achieving my goals
Pale green ghosts at the end of May
Faint green apparitions near the conclusion of May
Soldiers of this black highway
The road's dark and eerie nature is like a military presence
Helping me to know my place
Assisting me in comprehending my standing in life
Pale green ghosts, must take great care
The green specters should be treated delicately
Release themselves into the air
Allow themselves to be free and fly away
Reminding me that I must be aware
Prompting me to be conscious of my surroundings
At 25 and 36 to Boulder, I was getting warm
Feeling very comfortable while traveling to Boulder
But now I'm getting colder
My current circumstances have become less comfortable
And I stomp my feet, demanding like a child
I react in a childish way, stamping my feet and making demands
I hope you get everything you wanted boy
I want you to achieve all of your aspirations, young man
I hope you conquer the world and turn it into your toy
May you dominate the universe and control it at will
But don't come crying when you're forced to learn the truth
Don't complain when you must face the reality
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JOHN GRANT, BIRGIR THORARINSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
brianartillery
Album of the year for sure. Wonderful songs by someone who can actually sing. Although the electronic backings of some of the songs is cold, that voice is very warm. The whole has an underlying sense of sadness and loss, but not in an alienating way at all. Whoever broke this big man's heart wants his arse kicked. Very sad to have heard of John's recent diagnosis - but these days, it doesn't mean the end of the road. You're a star, sir!
San Ciac
The vocals has something of Dead Can Dance, the sound start with a sophisticated electronic style then gradually became a mix of classical instruments and electrónica. A masterpiece.
ITM - ODB
I’m just a simple hetro guy but I totally love John Grants mind. Complex, witty, deep, self effacing, cryptic, amazing, beautiful. Thank you John for hours of wonder...and learning.
Damien Hunt
Yes, yes, yes.
lilacwine1973
I will not say I'm that surprised by the new sound (the extra-tracks of "Queen of Denmark" were a hint) but I LOVE IT!!! John's voice is put in evidence so well here... Can't wait to hear the whole album, it's been too long.
Hansel
This man is amazing! i discovered him a few days ago and he blows my mind with this album..so perfectly crafted and the sound is very dramatic and has lots of fusions and musical influences..just perfect...Keep going Graham the worlds needs more of your music!! god bless you :)
matt foster
Love this. Turns epic and very cinematic on 2,38. The video works well too, especially the night time road shot. Not sure what he's doing though maybe burying someone.
TheWinters1979
I like it! Such an talented songwriter.
Scott Shreve
The orchestral part is a quote from the b section of Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C Sharp MInor. Brilliant!
jack torrance
When you hear classical blended in like this it’s amazing
I grew up on up on classical having a sister that played piano
It’s heavyweight stuff. Very moving and moody
Yet when you search or tune in it’s garbage classical they play
I give this the thumbs up 100% 10 out of 10 Star