There’s something hauntingly captivating about Songs About Ghosts that taps into our fascination with the supernatural.
Whether they’re spooky, playful, or reflective, these tracks bring the eerie and mysterious world of ghosts to life through melody.
From soulful ballads to lively rock anthems, songs that incorporate ghostly themes often delve into feelings of loss, nostalgia, or even humor.
Musicians have long used ghosts as metaphors for memories, lost love, or unresolved emotions.
In this blog, we explore a variety of Songs About Ghosts that showcase the many ways this timeless theme is brought to life through music.
1. “Ghost” by ZZ Ward (2017)
About this song:
- Album: The Storm
- Released: 2017
- Artist: ZZ Ward
- Genre: Rock
- Key Lyric: “We’re ghosts, and I’m dancing on our grave.”
Released in 2017, ZZ Ward’s “Ghost” is a powerful track from her album The Storm, a record that explores themes of heartbreak and empowerment.
The song was written during a period when Ward reflected on past relationships, using the metaphor of a ghost to capture the lingering emotions that refuse to fade.
In the song, the ghost symbolizes a former lover whose presence haunts the narrator, representing unresolved feelings of love and loss.
The lyrics describe how the memories of the relationship continue to haunt the protagonist, even as she attempts to move on with her life.
With bluesy undertones and soulful vocals, ZZ Ward uses the ghost as a metaphor for the emotional baggage we carry after a difficult breakup, showing how those memories can feel just as real as a physical presence.
2. “The Loneliest Ghost in Town” by Southern Culture on the Skids (2013)
About this song:
- Album: Mondo Zombie Boogaloo
- Released: 2013
- Artist: Southern Culture on the Skids
- Genre: Alternative/Indie, Halloween music, Rock
- Key Lyric: “I’m the loneliest ghost in town.”
“The Loneliest Ghost in Town” was featured on Southern Culture on the Skids’ 2013 album Mondo Zombie Boogaloo.
Written by the band in their signature quirky style, the song tells the tale of a ghost who wanders the streets alone, yearning for companionship.
The ghost in this track is less a figure of terror and more a symbol of loneliness and isolation, representing the desire for connection even after death.
Despite the upbeat tempo and fun, retro sound, the song carries a melancholic undertone, exploring the sadness of being forgotten or left behind.
This playful yet poignant ghost story captures the feeling of being invisible and unrecognized, with the band’s lyrics and sound offering both humor and heartache.
3. “Grim Grinning Ghosts” by Los Lobos (2009)
About this song:
- Album: Los Lobos Goes Disney
- Released: 2009
- Artist: Los Lobos
- Genre: Children’s Music
- Key Lyric: “Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize.”
Los Lobos delivered their rendition of “Grim Grinning Ghosts” in 2009 for the Los Lobos Goes Disney album.
Originally composed in the 1960s by Disney’s Buddy Baker and Xavier Atencio, the song was reinterpreted by Los Lobos with a distinctive Latin rock flavor.
“Grim Grinning Ghosts” describes the ghosts that emerge from their resting places at night to laugh, dance, and socialize, bringing a light-hearted approach to the supernatural.
The playful lyrics and spooky sounds in this track portray ghosts not as frightening figures but as mischievous spirits who enjoy their afterlife celebrations.
Los Lobos adds a modern twist while maintaining the whimsical, eerie charm of the original, creating a song that’s perfect for both Halloween and fans of the classic Disney attraction.
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4. “Little Ghost” by The White Stripes (2005)
About this song:
- Album: Get Behind Me Satan
- Released: 2005
- Artist: The White Stripes
- Genre: Alternative/Indie, Rock, Blues
- Key Lyric: “Little ghost, little ghost, one I’m scared of the most.”
“Little Ghost” was released in 2005 as part of The White Stripes’ critically acclaimed album Get Behind Me Satan, which saw the band experimenting with different sounds and storytelling techniques.
The song is an acoustic, folk-influenced track that tells the story of a man haunted by an imaginary or possibly spectral lover, symbolizing an ungraspable and elusive connection.
“Little Ghost” explores themes of love and longing, with the ghost representing a person or relationship that is unreachable or perhaps just a figment of the narrator’s imagination.
The lyrics play with the idea of loving someone who might not exist, reflecting the emotional confusion and fragility that can come with romantic entanglements.
The ghost in this song is both charming and bittersweet, encapsulating the blend of whimsy and melancholy that defines much of The White Stripes’ music.
5. “Ghost a Go Go” by Richard Rome (2017)
About this song:
- Album: Virtue Recording Studios
- Released: 2017
- Artist: Richard Rome
- Genre: R&B/Soul
- Key Lyric: This is an instrumental song
Released in 2017, “Ghost a Go Go” by Richard Rome is a throwback to the 1960s surf rock and horror movie soundtrack styles, heavily inspired by the aesthetics of classic ghost stories.
The track is an instrumental piece, relying on its eerie organ sounds and reverb-heavy guitars to create a spooky yet danceable vibe reminiscent of vintage Halloween parties.
With no lyrics, the music itself conveys the presence of ghosts, as the haunting melody and rhythmic drive suggest a spectral dance scene where invisible spirits gather.
The title “Ghost a Go Go” evokes imagery of a ghostly party, possibly a nod to the go-go dance craze of the 1960s, infusing the supernatural with an upbeat, retro twist.
This track offers a playful take on ghosts, emphasizing fun and rhythm over fear, making it feel like the soundtrack to a classic haunted house party rather than a tale of terror.
6. “The Ghost Of Smokey Joe” by Cab Calloway (1939)
About this song:
- Album: N/A
- Released: 1939
- Artist: Cab Calloway
- Genre: Jazz
- Key Lyric: “’Cause I’m the ghost of Smokey Joe.”
Cab Calloway’s “The Ghost of Smokey Joe” was released in 1939, a swinging jazz tune that combines humor and supernatural themes to tell the story of a ghost with unfinished business.
In the song, Smokey Joe returns as a ghost to haunt his old friends and demand that they hold a proper celebration in his honor rather than mourn his death.
Calloway’s lively scat singing and the infectious energy of the brass section make the ghost in this song a fun, larger-than-life character rather than a frightening specter.
The song touches on themes of remembrance and celebration, with Smokey Joe’s ghost representing the idea that one’s spirit can live on through the memories of their friends.
In true Cab Calloway fashion, “The Ghost of Smokey Joe” mixes comedy, jazz, and the supernatural into a joyful expression of life and legacy beyond the grave.
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7. “Ghost Party” by Messer Chups (2015)
About this song:
- Album: The Incredible Crocotiger
- Released: 2015
- Artist: Messer Chups
- Genre: Rock
- Key Lyric: This is an instrumental song
“Ghost Party” was released by Russian surf rock band Messer Chups in 2015, capturing their signature spooky and cinematic sound.
The instrumental track uses surf rock guitar riffs, eerie sound effects, and playful rhythms to evoke the feeling of a supernatural celebration.
The title hints at a gathering of ghosts, and the music’s retro horror elements conjure images of a Halloween party where the undead are the life of the party.
Messer Chups is known for its campy, vintage horror aesthetic, and “Ghost Party” perfectly fits into this theme, with the music creating an atmosphere of both excitement and creepiness.
Without any lyrics, the ghostly theme is communicated entirely through the soundscape, allowing listeners to imagine their own ghost-filled narratives.
8. “Ghost Train” by The Swanks (1968)
About this song:
- Album: My College Cry / Ghost Train
- Released: 1968
- Artist: The Swanks
- Genre: Rock
- Key Lyric: This is an instrumental song
Released in 1968, “Ghost Train” by The Swanks is a surf rock instrumental that captures the eerie thrill of a spectral locomotive barreling through the night.
The track uses distorted guitars and fast-paced rhythms to mimic the sound of a train racing across a desolate, haunted landscape, blending rock with an otherworldly atmosphere.
Though it has no lyrics, the song’s title and dark, driving beat suggest the presence of something supernatural, with the “ghost train” being a symbol of unstoppable, ghostly forces.
The Swanks were part of the late 60s surf rock scene, which often incorporated spooky or supernatural themes into their music, adding an eerie twist to an otherwise upbeat genre.
“Ghost Train” evokes the fear and excitement of encountering something unknown and unstoppable, with the music itself painting a vivid picture of a ghostly journey.
9. “Is There A Ghost” by Band of Horses (2007)
About this song:
- Album: Cease to Begin
- Released: 2007
- Artist: Band of Horses
- Genre: Alternative/Indie
- Key Lyric: “When I lived alone, Is there a ghost in my house?”
“Is There A Ghost” by Band of Horses was released in 2007 as the lead single from their album Cease to Begin, marking a shift towards more introspective and atmospheric songwriting.
The song is built around a simple, repetitive lyrical refrain where the narrator questions whether they are haunted by a ghost, both metaphorically and literally.
The ghost in this track can be interpreted as a symbol of inner turmoil or unresolved emotions, with the lyrics exploring themes of fear, uncertainty, and self-doubt.
Musically, the song combines dreamlike melodies with an undercurrent of tension, creating a sense of haunting that is more psychological than physical.
“Is There A Ghost” uses the idea of being haunted as a metaphor for feeling trapped by one’s own thoughts, suggesting that the scariest ghosts are often the ones we create ourselves.
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10. “Spooky Ghosts” by SNCKPCK (2014)
About this song:
- Album: Songs for Someone You Love
- Released: 2014
- Artist: SNCKPCK
- Genre: Vocal/Easy Listening
- Key Lyric: “Let’s put the bedsheets over our heads. We’ll be spooky ghosts together in our beds.”
“Spooky Ghosts” was released by lo-fi indie artist SNCKPCK in 2014, known for his playful and whimsical approach to music.
The song features simple, upbeat instrumentation with lyrics that describe ghosts in a fun and non-threatening way, presenting them more as friends than as figures to be feared.
SNCKPCK uses a lighthearted tone throughout the song, making the ghosts sound more like mischievous companions, adding an air of innocence to the supernatural theme.
The song’s lo-fi production and quirky style give it a homemade feel, making it a charming and approachable take on the concept of ghosts.
“Spooky Ghosts” isn’t about terror or fright; instead, it captures the playful side of ghost lore, making it a fun and catchy tune that feels perfect for Halloween.
Conclusion
These Songs About Ghosts have a unique way of weaving together the spectral with the emotional, creating a compelling musical experience.
From classic jazz tunes to modern indie rock, these songs remind us of the ways ghosts can symbolize more than just supernatural beings.
They can evoke lost love, forgotten places, or feelings that refuse to fade.
In the end, Songs About Ghosts allow us to explore our own haunting emotions while enjoying the diverse sounds of artists from various genres.
Whether you’re looking for something spooky or sentimental, there’s always a ghost story waiting to be sung.