Ghost
Only the Young Lyrics
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My friends had you figured out
Yeah, they saw what's inside of you
You tried hiding another you
But your evil was coming through
These eyes sitting on the wall
They watch every move I make
Bright light living in the shade
[Parisa:]
I had to go through hell to prove I'm not insane
Had to meet the devil just to know his name
And that's when my
[Parisa+Betsy:]
Love was burning
Yeah, it's still burning
[OTY:]
I keep going to the river to pray
'Cause I need something that can wash all the pain
And at most, I'm sleeping all these demons away
But your ghost
The ghost of you, it keeps me awake
I keep going to the river to pray
'Cause I need something that can wash all the pain
And at most, I'm sleeping all these demons away
But your ghost
The lyrics of "Ghost" by Only the Young seem to be centered around a toxic relationship, where one person is struggling to let go of the other. The song talks about how the singer's friends had already seen past the facade of the other person, and had identified the evil that was lurking beneath the surface. The lyrics suggest that the singer too was aware of this toxic side to their partner, but was still struggling to let go, with the "ghost" of their partner haunting them even when they try to sleep at night.
The first verse by Charlie highlights the sense of betrayal and sense of violation that the singer feels when they realize their partner's true nature. Their "cold heart" causes the singer's "spirit to shake", with the singer feeling vulnerable and exposed under their watchful gaze. The second verse by Parisa reflects the pain and trauma associated with being in love with a toxic partner. The singer suggests that they had to go through "hell" just to prove that they were not insane, and this involved meeting the "devil" herself.
The chorus of the song is repeated twice, bringing the focus back to the singer's attempts to find solace at the river. The singer is seeking something that can "wash all the pain", but as long as the "ghost" of her partner continues to torment her, she finds it difficult to move on. The song suggests that letting go of a toxic relationship is easier said than done, and even when the singer is actively trying to sleep or engage in self-care, the thoughts of their partner continue to haunt them.
Line by Line Meaning
My friends had you figured out
My friends were able to understand your true nature
Yeah, they saw what's inside of you
They were able to see through your facade and witness your true self
You tried hiding another you
You attempted to conceal your true self from those around you
But your evil was coming through
Despite your efforts, your negative qualities were still apparent
These eyes sitting on the wall
The eyes of those around me are constantly watching and observing
They watch every move I make
Others are closely monitoring my actions and behavior
Bright light living in the shade
Though you may put on a bright and positive appearance, there is still negativity hidden within
Your cold heart makes my spirit shake
Your lack of empathy and compassion has a profound effect on my emotional wellbeing
I had to go through hell to prove I'm not insane
I had to endure a great deal of hardship in order to demonstrate that I am not crazy
Had to meet the devil just to know his name
I had to confront wickedness directly in order to truly understand and recognize it
And that's when my
Love was burning
My passion for life and for combating darkness was heightened
Yeah, it's still burning
That passion continues to exist and motivate me
I keep going to the river to pray
I repeatedly turn to a symbolic source of purity and clarity in order to seek guidance and strength
'Cause I need something that can wash all the pain
I require a form of cleansing or relief from the emotional turmoil that plagues me
And at most, I'm sleeping all these demons away
I am attempting to cope with my troubles by sleeping and avoiding them
But your ghost
However, the lingering presence of your negative influence continues to haunt me
The ghost of you, it keeps me awake
Your presence, whether physical or emotional, prevents me from finding rest and peace
Contributed by Oliver T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.