In 2012 they released the album Pardon My English and dropped the slash from their name to mark a departure from ironic formalism.
Relax It's Only A Ghost
Phantom/Ghost Lyrics
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It's only a ghost
Relax
It's only a ghost
Relax
Try to be it's host
Just invite it in
A soft embrace that you will feel within
Try to let it stay
Make it warm and safe
Ectoplasmatic friends are well-behaved
Relax
It's only a ghost
Relax
It's only a ghost
Relax
Try to be it's host
Be sure to spend the night
In ecstatic light
The appearance soon will lose its fright
If it wants to stay
Let it have its way
Your image in the water slowly fades
Relax
It's only a ghost
Relax
It's only a ghost
You have been lonely for years
You have been lonely for ages
We'll never be lonely again
We'll never be lonely again
Relax
It's only a ghost
Relax
It's only a ghost
Relax
Relax
Relax
Try to be its host
The lyrics to Phantom/Ghost's song "Relax It's Only A Ghost" have a haunting and ambiguous quality to them, leaving the interpretation and meaning open to the listener's imagination. The song itself seems to reflect on the idea of accepting and even accepting comfort from ghosts, who are commonly feared and misunderstood.
The lyrics suggest a willingness to welcome ghosts in as friends, even becoming intimate with them, "A soft embrace that you will feel within." The idea of becoming a host to a ghost is a strange one and the lyrics imply that perhaps it could bring a new sense of companionship and understanding to the one who feels lonely, "You have been lonely for years, You have been lonely for ages, We'll never be lonely again." This message of acceptance and embracing what is commonly feared and misunderstood is a powerful one, and is a clear reflection of the band's unique style and message.
Overall, the lyrics of "Relax It's Only A Ghost" encourage a sense of openness and tolerance, whether it be towards ghosts or towards the unknown in general. The song suggests that by accepting and even embracing what we fear, we may find comfort and companionship in unexpected places, and as such, the song encourages listeners to approach the unknown with an open mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Relax
Take a deep breath and calm down
It's only a ghost
There is nothing to be afraid of, it's just a ghost
Relax
Take a deep breath and calm down
It's only a ghost
There is nothing to be afraid of, it's just a ghost
Relax
Take a deep breath and calm down
Try to be it's host
Welcome the ghost into your life
Just invite it in
Give the ghost permission to enter
Let its game begin
Allow the ghost to interact with you
A soft embrace that you will feel within
The ghost's presence can be comforting
Try to let it stay
Don't try to fight the ghost or get rid of it
Make it warm and safe
Create a welcoming environment for the ghost
Ectoplasmatic friends are well-behaved
Ghosts can be good friends
Be sure to spend the night
Don't be afraid to spend time with the ghost
In ecstatic light
In a happy and positive atmosphere
The appearance soon will lose its fright
The ghost will become less scary over time
If it wants to stay
Let the ghost decide if it wants to stay or go
Let it have its way
Allow the ghost to do what it wants
Your image in the water slowly fades
Your fears and worries will slowly disappear
You have been lonely for years
You have been alone and without a friend for a long time
You have been lonely for ages
You have been alone and without a friend for a very long time
We'll never be lonely again
With the ghost as a friend, we'll never be alone again
Relax
Take a deep breath and calm down
It's only a ghost
There is nothing to be afraid of, it's just a ghost
Relax
Take a deep breath and calm down
It's only a ghost
There is nothing to be afraid of, it's just a ghost
Relax
Take a deep breath and calm down
Relax
Take a deep breath and calm down
Relax
Take a deep breath and calm down
Try to be its host
Welcome the ghost into your life
Contributed by Thomas M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Scott Wagner
I love Tocotronic and songs from Dirk. I wish he would release more English versions of Tocotronic songs. Not because I can't understand them, but they always sound just as good in English and they deserve to be heard and understood by more!
maddinsi
The important part of the narrativ is, that it is the Ghost whom is spoken to "you have been lonely for years" =)
Paul Desca
Nice.
Julian Dell
Spex No. 62 :-)