Ghost (song)

**Ghost**
Ella Henderson's debut and international popular single.

"**Ghost**" is a song by British singer and songwriter, Ella Henderson. It was released on 6 June 2014, through Syco Music as the debut single from her debut studio album, *Chapter One*. The song was co-written by Henderson and Kenan Williams, and its producers, Ryan Tedder and Noel Zancanella. The music video was released on Vevo on 22 April 2014.

The song entered at number one on the UK Singles Chart, as well as in the Republic of Ireland. It has also peaked within the top ten of the charts in Australia, Belgium, Germany, Hungary and New Zealand. Since its release, it has sold over 1.2 million copies in the UK and in excess of 1 million in the US. It was the sixth best-selling single of 2014 in the UK. "Ghost" was included on *Digital Spy*'s "Single of the Year", raking at number one. It was nominated for the Brit Awards 2015 in the category of Best British Single, and Song of the Year in the BBC Music Awards.

## Background

### Writing and recording

After Henderson finished in sixth place on ninth series *The X Factor*, she had signed to Simon Cowell's record label Syco Music on 22 January 2013. She has been being let to be involved creatively from the label. Meanwhile, Henderson worked with the label and almost finished up the album. She got an email from OneRepublic frontman, Ryan Tedder that he had contacted with the label to work with her. They met at a studio in London to just have dinner, but they ended up writing the chorus with a piano. In that time she instantly felt that the song was going to be her first single. She gave an interview to *Digital Spy* about adjusting to Tedder's way of working,

On 12 January 2014, Henderson's 18th birthday, She recorded at Tedder's recording studio in Denver by Smith Carlson. In addition, "Ghost" also was co-written by Kenan Williams and record producer Noel Zancanella, and produced by Tedder and Zancanella.

### Release

On 9 March 2014, Henderson tweeted on Twitter about her first new single.

— Ella Henderson (@EllaHenderson)

Later, she announced that "Ghost" would be her debut single and posted a photo in the music video set.

— Ella Henderson (@EllaHenderson)

It was released first on 6 June 2014 in Austria, Germany, Ireland and Switzerland and in the UK on 8 June 2014 in Digital download through Syco Music. The song received its debut radio airplay on Capital FM on 10 May 2014.

## Critical reception

 *Digital Spy* — Lewis Corner gave the song a positive review, "Ghost" is dark, brooding, and full of pain, but it would make a worthy and unforgettable debut that let alone someone who was shocking eliminated. He stated, "I keep going to the river to pray / 'Cause I need something that can wash out the pain", are the lines that the music has stomping Americana-folk beats and taut guitar twangs, between the style of Adele and Leona Lewis.

## Music video

The music video was filmed in New Orleans, Louisiana on 10 March 2014 and directed by Charles Mehling. It was released on Vevo on 22 April 2014 and 23 April on YouTube.

### Other version

Another video was released for the Switch remix of the song on 10 April 2014 on YouTube, and via Instagram, Vine, and Snapchat. This video, directed by Jem Talbot, features a young woman (played by Samara Zwain) exploring an empty house and reminiscing on a relationship. Talbot said about the concept that he wanted to make something on memory and pitfalls.

Ella Henderson - GhostElla Henderson - Ghost (Switch Remix)
## Lyrics

I keep going to the river to pray

'Cause I need something that can wash out the pain

And at most I’m sleeping all these demons away

But your ghost, the ghost of you it keeps me awake

My friends had you figured out

Yeah they saw what’s inside of you

You tried hiding another you

But your evil was coming through

And these eyes sitting on the wall

Well they watch every move I make

Bright light living in the shade

Your cold heart makes my spirit shake

I had to go through hell to prove I’m not insane

Had to meet the devil just to know his name

And that’s when my love was burning

Yeah it’s still burning

I keep going to the river to pray

'Cause I need something that can wash out the pain

And at most I’m sleeping all these demons away

But your ghost, the ghost of you it keeps me awake

I keep going to the river to pray

‘Cause I need something that can wash out the pain

And at most I’m sleeping all these demons away

But your ghost, the ghost of you it keeps me awake

Each time that I think you gone

I turn around and you’re creeping in

And I Iet you under my skin

Guess I love living in the sin

Oh you never told me

True love was gonna hurt

True pain I don’t deserve

Truth is that I never learn

I keep going to the river to pray

'Cause I need something that can wash out the pain

And at most I’m sleeping all these demons away

But your ghost, the ghost of you it keeps me awake

I keep going to the river to pray

'Cause I need something that can wash out the pain

And at most I’m sleeping all these demons away

But your ghost, the ghost of you it keeps me awake

Give up the ghost, give up the ghost, give up the ghost

Stop the haunting baby

Give up the ghost, give up the ghost, give up the ghost

No more haunting baby

I keep going to the river

I keep going to the river to pray

'Cause I need something that can wash out the pain

And at most I’m sleeping all these demons away

But your ghost, the ghost of you it keeps me awake

I keep going to the river to pray

'Cause I need something that can wash out the pain

And at most I’m sleeping all these demons away

But your ghost, the ghost of you it keeps me awake

*Copyright: Sony/ATV Music Publishing Allegro (UK), Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Limited*

## References

1. ↑ "iTunes - Ella Henderson - Ghost - Single". *iTunes*. Retrieved 23 October 2015
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Ella Henderson - Ghost". *Vevo*. Retrieved 23 October 2015
3. ↑ Copsey, Rob (30 December 2014). "The Official Top 100 Biggest Songs of 2014 revealed". *Official Charts Company*. reference from Wikipedia
4. ↑ "Digital Spy's best singles of the year 2014: 15-1". *Digital Spy*. Retrieved 24 October 2015
5. ↑ "Brit Awards - Winners". *Brit Awards 2015*. Retrieved 22 October 2015
6. ↑ "BBC Music Awards ‘Song of the Year’ shortlist announced". *BBC*. Retrieved 24 October 2015
7. ↑ Hind, Katie (9 January 2013). "I've got the new 'Adella': Simon Cowell wins fight to sign X Factor’s Ella Henderson". *Daily Mirror*. Trinity Mirror. reference from Wikipedia
8. ↑ Foster, Alistair (23 January 2013). "Ella Henderson: I signed with Simon Cowell after he put me in control". *Daily Mirror*. *London Evening Standard*. reference from Wikipedia
9. ↑ 6 November 2014. "Ella Henderson Talks ‘Ghost,’ Working With Ryan Tedder, And Her 3 Favorite Artists". *Mix105.1 FM*. Retrieved 25 October 2015
10. ↑ Corner, Lewis (5 June 2014). "Ella Henderson interview: 'I was worried people would forget about me'. *Digital Spy*. Retrieved 25 October 2015
11. ↑ Daw, Robbie (12 January 2015). "Ella Henderson On ‘Chapter One’, Writing “Ghost” With Ryan Tedder & Her UK Tour With Take That: Idolator Interview". *Idorator*. Retrieved 24 October 2015
12. ↑ 9 March 2014. "Ella Henderson's Twitter status about the first single". Retrieved 25 October 2015
13. ↑ Corner, Lewis (10 March 2014). "X Factor star Ella Henderson announces debut single 'Ghost'". *Digital Spy*. Retrieved 25 October 2015
14. ↑ 9 March 2014. "Ella Henderson's Twitter status about "Ghost"". Retrieved 25 October 2015
15. ↑ 10 March 2014. "Ella Henderson's photo status on Twitter in the "Ghost" 's music video set. Retrieved 25 October 2015
16. ↑ 10 May 2014. "Ella Henderson's debut single Ghost is played on Capital Radio". *Grimsby Telegraph*. reference from Wikipedia
17. ↑ Corner, Lewis (6 June 2014). "Ella Henderson: 'Ghost' single review - 'An unforgettable debut' - Music Review. *Digital Spy*. reference from Wikipedia
18. ↑ "Ella Henderson - Ghost". *YouTube*. Retrieved 23 October 2015
19. ↑ Brown, Jimmy (14 April 2014). "Ella Henderson 'Ghost (Switch Remix) by Jem Talbot. *PromoNews*. reference from Wikipedia