Spillane graduated from University College Cork with a degree in Irish and in English. During his college years and after, he was involved with several Cork bands, most notably Stargazers and then Nomos. With Nomos, Spillane featured on two albums, I Won't Be Afraid Anymore (1996) and Set You Free (1997).
As a solo musician, Spillane has recorded a number of solo albums, beginning with The Wells of the World (1997; re-released in 2000), Will We Be Brilliant Or What (2002), and Hey Dreamer (2005). In 2006 he released The Gaelic Hit Factory in which he sang some songs in Irish. Leading Irish language poet Louis de Paor, read his poems on the album and also has all the writing credits for the album. The album "My Dark Rosaleen & the Island of Dreams" followed in 2008.
As a songwriter, Spillane's songs have been recorded by Karan Casey, Christy Moore, Sharon Shannon and many more.
Ghosts
John Spillane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got ghosts in my mind
I got ghosts everywhere I walk
I got ghosts all the time.
I meet them in the guise of friends
And they all know my name
I know them to look at
And they know me just the same.
I meet them all the time
They look so grey and wispy
They're always on my mind.
Ghosts, they're everywhere
Ghosts, they're everywhere
Ghosts.
I got ghosts in my memory
I got ghosts in my mind
I ghosts, they're just a mile away
I swear I meet them all the time.
Ghosts, they're everywhere
Ghosts, everywhere.
I got ghosts in my memory
I got ghosts in my mind
I got ghosts everywhere I go
Ghosts seems is all I find.
Ghosts, in my mind
Ghosts, everywhere I just find ghosts
Ghosts, that is all they are, they're just ghosts.
The lyrics to John Spillane's song Ghosts are a somber reflection on the idea of being haunted by memories of the past. The opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the song, with the repeated phrase "I got ghosts" creating a haunting and repetitive feeling. The singer seems to be struggling with the idea that they are surrounded by these "ghosts" of memories all the time, and that they cannot escape from them. The ghosts are everywhere, following the singer no matter where they go, and seem to be tied up with the people that the singer knows.
The singer indicates that they meet these ghosts in the guise of friends, which suggests that the memories that haunt them are attached to real people who they know or have known in the past. The line "they all know my name" suggests that the singer is well-known or perhaps famous, and that these ghosts are associated with their public persona or career. Despite this, the ghosts are described in a way that suggests they are not tangible or real, with the words "grey and wispy" creating an ethereal and intangible image. Ultimately, the singer is left feeling overwhelmed by the presence of these ghosts, which seem to be all-consuming and omnipresent.
In conclusion, John Spillane's song Ghosts is a melancholy reflection on the idea of being haunted by memories of the past. The repeated phrase "I got ghosts" creates a haunting and repetitive feeling, and the ghosts that the singer refers to are intangible and ethereal, tied up with memories of people who they have known. The song explores the idea that these ghosts are all-consuming and omnipresent, following the singer no matter where they go and leaving them feeling overwhelmed.
Line by Line Meaning
I got ghosts in my memory
The memories of my past are heavily haunted by the presence of entities that no longer exist in the physical world.
I got ghosts in my mind
The thoughts that I conjure up are often accompanied by images of departed souls that have left a lasting impression on me.
I got ghosts everywhere I walk
No matter where I go, there seems to be a lingering presence of past events and people that still manage to make their presence known to me.
I got ghosts all the time.
There is never a moment when my mind is free from the echoes of the past and the memories of those that used to be around me.
I meet them in the guise of friends
Sometimes, the people that I talk to and interact with remind me of individuals that I used to know, even if they are not the same.
And they all know my name
Despite their unfamiliarity with me, they seem to have some knowledge of my existence and my past.
I know them to look at
Even though they are different individuals, their character and appearance are familiar to me, reminding me of someone else.
And they know me just the same.
Despite the change in circumstances and surroundings, these people seem to share similar experiences and emotions with me.
They look so grey and wispy
The appearance of these apparitions is hazy and unclear, resembling a misty grey aura that follows them around.
They're always on my mind.
No matter how much time passes, these individuals continue to occupy my thoughts and remain an integral part of my life.
Ghosts, they're everywhere
The prevalence of these memories is so overwhelming that it's difficult to escape their constant presence.
I ghosts, they're just a mile away
The memories of those individuals that I used to know seem close enough to touch, but out of reach at the same time.
I swear I meet them all the time.
Despite the passage of time, it seems as though these apparitions are still very much alive and continue to be a part of my life.
Ghosts, in my mind
The images of those that I used to know have become so internalized that I can't help but see them even when they're not there.
Ghosts, everywhere I just find ghosts
It seems as though the memories of these departed individuals are inescapable and constantly surround me.
Ghosts, that is all they are, they're just ghosts.
Despite their presence in my mind, these entities are nothing more than a figment of my imagination, haunting me from afar.
Writer(s): John Martyn
Contributed by Jacob G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.