Written by writing team Tom Marshall and Trey Anastasio, the song wasn't featured on a studio album until more than a year later, when Phish released the aptly named "Story of The Ghost" album in November of 1998.
The band performed Ghost very consistently leading up to its studio recording and release - where it found a relatively different sound compared to it's live counterpart(s). Since it's debut in 1997, it's been played a total of 865 times - with it's largest gap between performances since then being only 13 shows.
Ghost
Phish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The story of the ghost
That I once knew and talked to
Of whom I'd never boast
For this was my big secret
How I'd get ahead
And never have to worry
His answer came in actions
He never spoke a word
Or maybe I laid down the phone
Before he could be heard
I somehow feel forsaken
Like he had closed the door
I guess I just stopped needing him
As much as once before
But maybe he's still with me
The latch was left unhooked
He's waiting in the wind and rain
I simply haven't looked
In Phish's song Ghost, the singer is reflecting on their relationship with a mystery figure referred to as "the ghost". This ghost was a secret source of assistance that the singer utilized in order to further their own success. The singer indicates that they stopped needing the ghost's help as much as before and perhaps stopped acknowledging the existence of this entity altogether. The final lines suggest that maybe the ghost is still around and waiting to be noticed by the singer once again.
The lyrics of this song are open to interpretation, but a common interpretation is that the ghost represents the singer's own inner strength or intuition. The singer may have lost touch with their own intuition and ability to overcome challenges on their own, turning to this "ghost" as a crutch for success. The singer may feel that they have lost touch with their own strength and sense of self, possibly due to societal pressure or their own negative self-talk.
The repetitive nature of the music in Ghost helps to convey the cyclical nature of the singer's relationship with this ghost figure. This cyclical nature is also reflected in the singer's internal struggles with the ghost's role in their life. The use of metaphorical language and a mysterious, esoteric subject matter create a sense of intrigue and suspense throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel I never told you
The singer feels like they never told the listener about something important.
The story of the ghost
The singer is talking about a ghost that they once knew.
That I once knew and talked to
The singer had a personal relationship with this ghost and communicated with them.
Of whom I'd never boast
The artist kept their relationship with the ghost a secret.
For this was my big secret
The ghost was the artist's secret weapon.
How I'd get ahead
The singer used the ghost to gain an advantage.
And never have to worry
By relying on the ghost, the singer never had to worry.
I'd call him instead
Instead of addressing problems directly, the artist would turn to the ghost for help.
His answer came in actions
The ghost communicated through actions rather than words.
He never spoke a word
The ghost did not communicate verbally.
Or maybe I laid down the phone
It's possible that the singer hung up before the ghost had a chance to speak.
Before he could be heard
Because the ghost did not speak, the artist couldn't be sure if the ghost was even there.
I somehow feel forsaken
The singer feels abandoned by the ghost.
Like he had closed the door
The singer feels like the ghost has cut off all communication.
I guess I just stopped needing him
The singer no longer needs the ghost's help as much as they once did.
As much as once before
The artist used to rely heavily on the ghost.
But maybe he's still with me
The ghost may still be a part of the artist's life.
The latch was left unhooked
There's a possibility that the singer left the door open for the ghost to return.
He's waiting in the wind and rain
The ghost may be waiting for the singer, even in difficult situations.
I simply haven't looked
The artist hasn't made an effort to seek out the ghost again.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: DAVID LEE MARSHALL, ROBERT MARVIN, NATE COMPANY, CHELSEA LANKES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Forrest George
I feel I've never told you
the story of the ghost
that I once knew and talked to
of whom I'd never boast
But this was my big secret
how I get ahead
and never have to worry
I'd call him instead
His answer came in actions
He never spoke a word
Or maybe I lay down the phone
before he could be heard
I somehow feel forsaken
Like he had closed the door
I guess I just stopped needing him
as much as once before
But maybe he's still with me
the latch was left unhooked
He's waiting in the wind and rain
I simply haven't looked
Ryan Landron
The energy in the Garden was soaring during this jam. Unbelievable.
Derrek Van Ee
We havnt had any uploads for,ages I can only imagine. The old fishes and other sea creatures need to come phunk out in the great ice berg that is candian jam lovers igloo!
Michael Swift
totally, my friend dave was there and specifically made me watch this video because of the energy
VinceVanDog
Unreal. All of it.
Thomas B. Mawn
Cant wait to feel the energy level @ Jones beach Nikon theater this summer!!! Going both days! Cant wait!
Ryan Landron
@Thomas B. Mawn I’ll be there too!!
MichaelMcMichael
Phish just doesn’t miss! How they keep getting better & better is the 8th wonder of the world
ddaavvee
agreed! every time i think “they can’t possibly get better”…. boom!
Glenn Miller
Totally in line on this summer One
Allen Armstrong
Progressive and jam-conscience