The group tends to draw inspiration for their own sound from other Philadelphia musicians. They met one another at a boogie boarding competition that was hosted by rapper Jay-Z in New Jersey, and came together in an online chat room on a pro-longboarding forum.
In 2014 Joy Again jumped into their debut album. Forever
Another Song About Ghosts
Joy Again Lyrics
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And he tried to open up my eyes, but I didn't feel alright
I told it to go away, for it was a ghost I didn't know
And it felt pretty sad, and it left me there alone
I saw my brother in a dream, and we jumped over a fence
We were somewhere new, but I guess it was pretend
And I didn't want to leave but knew that soon I would have to
So we left, took a walk, and said, "I'll be back soon"
I see ghosts every day, but not like the one in my room
And I still do not know if he wants good or doom
Sometimes he asks for smiles and sometimes for a gloom
But my friends don't care, and I guess I don't, too
And I'm tired of looking out and being alone
I just want a pretty girl to kiss me on my nose
And I'm used to seeing people when I close my eyes
'Cause I'm used to seeing colors shift and shape themselves at night
I treat my body like shit, but I have nothing to lose
Except my physical form, which I barely use
I'd rather be a ghost sometimes in space with my best friend
Who I lost years ago to booze and other trends
Just hold yourself up directly in the light
That's all that really matters if you want your life right
Just try to do good in any way that you can
'Cause life's a big joke our hearts'll never understand
The song 'Another Song About Ghosts' by Joy Again talks about ghosts and dreams that come at night. In the first verse, the singer describes a ghost waking him in the middle of the night and trying to open his eyes, but he didn't feel all right. The ghost feels sad and leaves him alone, and in his dream, he jumps over a fence with his brother, somewhere new, but he feels like it was a pretend world. He didn't want to leave, knowing he had to and said he will be back soon. In the second verse, he talks about seeing ghosts every day, but not like the one who visited him in his room. He doesn't know whether they want doom or good, and sometimes they ask for smiles or gloom, but his friends don't care, and he feels very alone. He just wants a pretty girl to kiss him on his nose and talks about how he is used to seeing people when he closes his eyes, with colors shifting and shaping themselves at night.
In the last verse, the singer talks about how he treats his physical body like shit but has nothing to lose—his physical form, which he barely uses. He would instead be a ghost sometimes in space with his best friend, who he lost years ago to booze and other trends. He advises that one should stand up directly in the light if they want their life right and try to do good in any way possible. The song talks about loneliness, the struggle between good and bad, and makes a reference to the afterlife.
Line by Line Meaning
A ghost woke me up in the middle of the night
The artist was awakened by a ghost in the middle of the night.
And he tried to open up my eyes, but I didn't feel alright
The ghost attempted to wake the artist up, but the artist felt uneasy.
I told it to go away, for it was a ghost I didn't know
The artist asked the ghost to leave as it was an unfamiliar presence.
And it felt pretty sad, and it left me there alone
The ghost felt saddened by the artist's request and left the artist alone.
I saw my brother in a dream, and we jumped over a fence
The artist experienced a dream where they were in the company of their brother and jumped over a fence.
We were somewhere new, but I guess it was pretend
Although it felt real, the setting in the artist's dream was not based on reality.
And I didn't want to leave but knew that soon I would have to
Although the artist didn't want to leave the dream, they knew they had to wake up soon.
So we left, took a walk, and said, "I'll be back soon"
The artist and their brother departed and promised to meet up again.
I see ghosts every day, but not like the one in my room
The artist is accustomed to seeing ghosts, but not in their bedroom.
And I still do not know if he wants good or doom
The artist is uncertain whether the ghost means the artist harm or not.
Sometimes he asks for smiles and sometimes for a gloom
At times, the artist feels the ghost is requesting happiness, while at other times a darker mood or atmosphere.
But my friends don't care, and I guess I don't, too
Neither the artist nor their friends are concerned with the presence of the ghost.
And I'm tired of looking out and being alone
The artist is weary of feeling isolated and alone.
I just want a pretty girl to kiss me on my nose
The artist desires a physical connection and intimate companionship with someone.
And I'm used to seeing people when I close my eyes
The artist frequently experiences visual hallucinations when they close their eyes.
'Cause I'm used to seeing colors shift and shape themselves at night
The hallucinations that the artist experiences consists of vivid colors and shapes.
I treat my body like shit, but I have nothing to lose
The artist lacks concern for their physical well-being, as they believe there are few negative consequences of neglecting their health.
Except my physical form, which I barely use
The artist is not very active or physically engaged in their daily life.
I'd rather be a ghost sometimes in space with my best friend
The artist sometimes wishes they could be a ghost floating in space with their deceased best friend.
Who I lost years ago to booze and other trends
The artist's best friend passed away long ago due to substance abuse and other societal influences.
Just hold yourself up directly in the light
The artist advises the listener to stay positive and optimistic amidst adversity by facing challenges head on.
That's all that really matters if you want your life right
The artist suggests that maintaining a positive attitude and outlook is the most important aspect of having a fulfilling life.
Just try to do good in any way that you can
The artist encourages the listener to attempt to make positive change in the world, no matter how small.
'Cause life's a big joke our hearts'll never understand
The artist believes that life is a complicated, unpredictable, and often inexplicable process that one will never fully comprehend.
Writer(s): Noah Burke, Sean Posila, William Diserafino, Caleb Laven, William Shea, Edward O Brien
Contributed by Julia Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.