Mike Doughty (born June 10, 1970, in Fort Knox, Kentucky) is an American in… Read Full Bio ↴Mike Doughty (born June 10, 1970, in Fort Knox, Kentucky) is an American indie and alternative rock singer-songwriter and author. The former frontman of Soul Coughing from 1992, Doughty began writing solo songs in 1995, but nothing materialized until Soul Coughing broke up in 2000. At this point Doughty began touring solo with his acoustic guitar (after becoming clean and sober). His album Skittish (recorded 1996; released 2000) was finally released, along with the EP Rockity Roll. Doughty then formed a touring band including an upright bass, drums and keyboard.

Doughty's sound is that of muted acoustic guitar rhythms and nasally vocals with impeccable melodies. His lyrics are unique, and he can be described as a master wordsmith. He turned to a new direction for his 2008 album, Golden Delicious. Instead of an acoustic gritty sound, he began using things like electric guitars, stronger vocal backgrounds and even a cello.

Doughty's album, Yes and Also Yes, was released in August 2011. In January 2012, The Book of Drugs, Doughty's memoir about his "ugly, drug-doing years", was published by Da Capo Press. In 2012 Doughty recorded a version of "Take Me Home, Country Roads" for a fund-raising cd titled "Super Hits Of The Seventies" for radio station WFMU. Doughty's album, The Question Jar Show, was released in late January 2012. It is a two disc set containing highlights from his Question Jar tour.

Discography:
Skittish LP (recorded 1996; released 2000)
Smofe + Smang: Live in Minneapolis LP (2002)
Rockity Roll EP (2003)
Skittish / Rockity Roll double LP (2004): A two disc re-release which includes the out-of-print Skittish, the Rockity Roll EP, and five bonus tracks.
Haughty Melodic LP (2005): Doughty's first full-band album, released on May 3, 2005.
The Gambler EP (2005): Six song EP. Title track is a cover of the Kenny Rogers hit.
Golden Delicious (2008)
Sad Man Happy Man (2009)
Yes and Also Yes (2011)
The Question Jar Show (2012)
The Lo-Fi Lodge (2012)
The Flip Is Another Honey (2012)

Official website: www.mikedoughty.com

Grey Ghost
Mike Doughty Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh in the grey
Grey ghost that I call home
In the great
Stony lonesome I call home
In the grey
Grey ghost that I call home
In the grey grey ghost that I call home

Oh he will not
Walk out the river now
He will not walk out the river
He will not walk out the river

Singing don't fall through the stars
Don't fall through them
Don't fall through the stars
Don't fall through them

On the docks in Memphis with the boombox, nodding out
Singing don't fall through the stars
Don't fall through them
DonÂ¹t fall through the stars

In the trail of the barge
And the light upon the brine
He has slaked these thoughts
And the rostov undelighted, signing

Don't fall through the stars

Sleepy-eyed the man is wading out into the night
Singing don't fall through the stars

Overall Meaning

"Grey Ghost" by Mike Doughty is a melancholic song that talks about a state of mind, a kind of loneliness, that one may experience even in the busiest of places. The "Grey Ghost" represents the state of mind that the singer is in, he calls it home as that is where he feels most comfortable, lost in thought. The song paints a vivid picture of a solitary individual lost in their own thoughts in the midst of a crowded place, describing their thoughts and fears as they remain in a haunting and monochromatic state of mind. The chorus of the song serves as a warning to himself, reminding him not to fall through the stars, which can be interpreted as not to lose oneself in their thoughts, for fear of never coming back.

Throughout the song, there is a mention of a river - the singer or the grey ghost will not walk out of it. This could be symbolic of their feeling of being stuck in their own thoughts, or their inability to escape their own mind. The location of the docks in Memphis adds to the melancholic vibe of the song, as it is a place of transition, of comings and goings, and representing the transience of life.

The lyrics of "Grey Ghost" are open to interpretation, but one thing is clear: Doughty has created a truly atmospheric piece of music that conveys a deep sense of loneliness and introspection.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh in the grey
Describing the color of the atmosphere where the singer resides

Grey ghost that I call home
Referring to the environment where the singer feels most comfortable and familiar

In the great
Describing the extent of the location the singer considers as home

Stony lonesome I call home
Reiterating that the preferred home is a lonesome location with a lot of stones around

Oh he will not
Talking about a male figure who is refusing to take action

Walk out the river now
Highlighting that the man will not come out of the river at the moment

He will not walk out the river
Repeating the fact that the man is not willing to leave the water

Singing don't fall through the stars
Advising not to lose oneself in the world of possibilities

Don't fall through them
Reiterating the importance of staying rooted and practical

On the docks in Memphis with the boombox, nodding out
Describing the artist's current location and situation - a person nodding out to music in Memphis

In the trail of the barge
Observing the path of a boat in the water

And the light upon the brine
Noticing the way the light plays on the surface of the water

He has slaked these thoughts
Indicating how the thoughts of the man have been quenched

And the rostov undelighted, signing
Drawing attention to the man who is unhappy and signing

Sleepy-eyed the man is wading out into the night
Describing how the man is tired and walking into the night

Singing don't fall through the stars
Repeating the advice given before, not to get carried away with fanciful possibilities

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MIKE DOUGHTY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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