Ghost In This House
Shenandoah Lyrics


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I don't pick up the mail
I don't pick up the phone
I don't answer the door
I'd just as soon be alone
I don't keep this place up
I just keep the lights down
I don't live in these rooms
I just rattle around

I'm just a ghost in this house
I'm just a shadow upon these walls
As quietly as a mouse I haunt these halls
I'm just a whisper of smoke
I'm all that's left of two hearts on fire
That once burned out of control
You took my body and soul
I'm just a ghost in this house

I don't care if it rains
I don't care if it's clear
I don't mind staying in
There's another ghost here
she sits down in your chair
And she shines with your light
And she lays down his head
On your pillow at night

I'm just a ghost in this house
I'm just a shadow upon these walls
I'm living proof of the damage
Heartbreak does
I'm just a whisper of smoke
I'm all that's left of two hearts on fire
That once burned out of control
And took my body and soul




I'm just a ghost in this house
Oh, I'm just a ghost in this house

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Shenandoah's song "Ghost In This House" tell the story of someone who is living in a house that is haunted by memories of a past love. This person no longer cares about the simple things in life like picking up the mail or answering the phone, and prefers to be alone in a house that is only a shell of what it used to be. The singer of the song explains that they are just a ghost in this house, a shadow of their former self, haunted by the memories of their past love. They are like a whisper of smoke, all that is left of two hearts that once burned out of control.


The song is a poignant reminder of the damage that heartbreak can do to a person, as well as a tribute to the enduring power of memories. The house itself becomes a symbol of the relationship that has ended, and the lyrics suggest that, while the relationship may be over, the memories and the ghosts it has left behind are still very much alive.


Overall, "Ghost In This House" is a powerful and emotional song that speaks to anyone who has ever been haunted by memories of a past relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't pick up the mail
I don't care about the outside world or what it has to offer


I don't pick up the phone
I don't want to talk or connect with anyone


I don't answer the door
I don't want to welcome anyone into my life or space


I'd just as soon be alone
I prefer isolation and solitude to human interactions and relationships


I don't keep this place up
I neglect this space and let it fall apart, just like my life


I just keep the lights down
I don't want to see or be seen, I want to stay hidden and unnoticed


I don't live in these rooms
I don't inhabit these spaces or feel any sense of belonging or ownership


I just rattle around
I wander aimlessly through these spaces, feeling lost and empty


I'm just a ghost in this house
I feel like a non-existent entity or a remnant of my former self


I'm just a shadow upon these walls
I'm a faint and vague presence that barely registers in this space


As quietly as a mouse I haunt these halls
I move around silently and aimlessly, like a ghostly presence


I'm just a whisper of smoke
I'm a fleeting and intangible essence, that has no substance or form


I'm all that's left of two hearts on fire
I'm the sad and lonely reminder of a loving relationship that no longer exists


That once burned out of control
That was once passionate and intense, but now has turned into ashes and dust


You took my body and soul
You left me empty and hollow, with nothing left to give or receive


I don't care if it rains
I'm indifferent to the external forces of nature or the weather


I don't care if it's clear
I don't care about the clarity or brightness of the day, everything looks bleak and gray to me


I don't mind staying in
I don't feel the need to venture out or explore the world, I'm content in my misery


There's another ghost here
There's another presence that haunts me and reminds me of my loss and pain


she sits down in your chair
She takes your place in this space, and I can't bear the thought of it


And she shines with your light
She radiates the same warmth and love that you once did, but now it only magnifies my loneliness


And she lays down his head
She sleeps where you once did, and I'm consumed with jealousy and envy


On your pillow at night
Using the same pillow that used to comfort you, now comforts her


I'm living proof of the damage
I'm the embodiment of the pain and harm that love and loss can cause


Heartbreak does
It breaks you down, leaving you shattered and helpless


Oh, I'm just a ghost in this house
I'm a solitary and lonely figure in this space, and nothing can change that




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HUGH PRESTWOOD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Wayne Beaver

I'm so thankful this era of country music made up my youth. I hope young people today can find similar solace in the music today, but I really don't know how that could happen.


Lyrics of this song:



I don't care if it rains
I don't care if it's clear
I don't mind staying in
There's another ghost here
she sits down in your chair
And she shines with your light
And she lays down his head
On your pillow at night
I'm just a ghost in this house
I'm just a shadow upon these walls
I'm living proof of the damage
Heartbreak does


Lyrics of "Shine On" by Florida Georgia Line:


Silverado, candy painted
Ray Ban's got the whole world shaded
Chrome piece tucked in the console
Riding high, roll up on the down low
Feeling lucky, got hooked up with some Kentucky, clear
So slide that little sugar shaker over here
And get your shine on!



I imagine the driver of that Silverado being nineteen and rocking a 1980's Billy Ray Cyrus hair-do. The truck's rear end has been lowered six inches, and the front suspension (what's left of it) has been raised sixteen inches. He has probably been convicted of having a felonious amount of oxycodone - which means he's a felon in possession of a firearm and driving under the influence of alcohol. Now he's about to make a really genius decision and make sexual advances towards a girl that's most likely sixteen.


I don't know which generation I'm more disappointed in. Them for being so incredibly dumb, or mine for being the generation that created and raised these people. God help us.



Cindy Knudson

just a suggestion -
sometimes turning inward in on yourself only makes it worse.
Consciously, physically even, roll your shoulders back and let your heart look outward. Let your heart shine, let it give, let it look outward. In any transaction you have, no matter how small, let it have the opportunity to give something, even if it is just a sincere smile. ( If they don't seem to respond it only proves how much they needed to see, hear, feel it.) If you aren't going to cross paths with anyone today then let your heart give a prayer for someone else. Or even a friendly word to God and maybe a compliment or two for Him 🙂.
Let your heart be kind to you too. Give yourself a smile.
And if you feel yourself turning in on yourself again.... Take a full breath and roll your shoulders back again and let your heart feel happy, even joyful, so that it can have a stock it can share.
Practice. Practice. Practice.
If it's hard, fake it til you make it.

And don't forget, God loves you.



All comments from YouTube:

Makenzie Snellgrove

Who else believes this is what is called good country music

LinkRocks

It's a great song, but it's more pop-country than anything else. It's traditional country, but again a great song.

Robert Williams

Its not good country music it's great

Ricke Dandridge

Heard that loud n clear!!! Not today's bullshit!!

TxAmber78

Oh 100 percent yes!

Bill Seka

I love this, the answer is yes.

19 More Replies...

Joe Silva

Man one of the best Country songs ever from in my opinion one of the most underrated Country groups to come out of the 80's. These songs never get old 👍🎤🎸.

bgm

My god 40 years later i still get chills to this song.

Front Desk

This came out in 1990 so that would be 30 years old

Christian Watson

It's the ghost bro

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