SINGLE REVIEW: Ben Gage - Ghost
North-eastern Ohio Singer Songwriter Ben Gage releases a slow-burn evocative single that captures the ache of being left out. Written during a week of sickness and cancelled gigs, Ghost is a raw, ethereal folk tune soaked in envy, frustration, and greasy comfort food.
I agree to say it is a very haunting track, it’s a very vulnerable and human track. Everyone at some point has felt loneliness on this tragic level. It goes beyond lonely, feeling invisible, very ghostly. A very heavy theme indeed, even from the first lines of lyrics “ Would you have left if you had nothing? what's the point in going on?”
The lyrics that really tugged at my heart strings were, “I’m a ghost In this town. They grown used to not having me around” The transition of becoming an adult and watching people do their own thing without you is a bitter-sweet thing to feel. Perhaps the comparison between their life and your own also adds to that loneliness, or sadness of not being as accomplished as them.
I love that it is so simple, a subtle drone, warm acoustic chords chime forward, with gentle sting echoes singing their way through. It’s a beautiful soundscape supporting firm, comforting vocals. The instrumentation and recording is very raw and emotive itself. The lightness in the music uplifts this song and the meaning to remain hopeful and happy for people and their futures rather than feeling jealousy. It’s beautifully balanced. I also love the female backing vocals that emerge, very graceful and adds a wholesome texture and from my perspective, adding a feminine touch to add to the balance.
The sort of song to sit on your front porch in the morning with a cup of coffee, book in hand, watching the sunrise, pondering the philosophies of life. It’s very cinematic, something I’d expect to hear in a movie at a dramatic scene.
Ghost is a very nice and present song, it’s not overly stated and is just nicely existing to exist and to provoke thought from the listener and comment on life’s happenings. Although it has that tragic feeling of failure and being left behind, it is also emotionally validating and soothing.
