Ghost (Halsey song)

"Ghost"
Single by Halsey
from the EP Room 93 and the album Badlands
ReleasedJuly 28, 2014 (2014-07-28)
Recorded2014
GenreSynth-pop[1]
Length
  • 2:32 (original mix)
  • 2:33 (alternative mix)
LabelAstralwerks
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Dylan Scott
Halsey singles chronology
"SOS"
(Demo, 2012) 		"Ghost"
(2014) 		"New Americana"
(2015)
Music video
"Ghost" on YouTube

"Ghost" is the debut single by American singer and songwriter Halsey from her debut studio album, Badlands (2015).[2][3] The lyrics and musical composition are attributed to Halsey and Young Rising Sons' past member Dylan Scott. It was first released on February 3, 2014, on SoundCloud. On July 28, 2014, it was officially released by her record label and later included on her debut extended play, Room 93 on October 27, 2014. It was re-released as a single from her debut studio album, Badlands, along the re-release of the EP on March 9, 2015, through Astralwerks.[4][5] Critical reception for the song was generally positive. The accompanying music video has received over 60 million views on video-sharing website YouTube.[6]

Background

"Ghost" was posted on Halsey's SoundCloud page for streaming on February 3, 2014.[7] The song garnered online buzz which was an opening opportunity for Halsey to sign a record deal with Astralwerks, leading to the eventual publication of the Room 93 EP and additional videos for "Hurricane" and "Ghost". Halsey expressed about the song, "The concept of the song itself is about being in a relationship with someone who isn't emotionally available: you feel their physical presence but the emotional one isn't there."[8]

Music videos

The first music video for "Ghost", was directed by Alex de Bonrepos and premiered on October 27, 2014. It was filmed at the Pink Motel in Los Angeles, which was also the location of her music video for her song "Hurricane". The video begins with her kissing her boyfriend (played by model AJ English)[9] in the motel room, but soon takes a dangerous turn as the two begin to fight.[8]

A second official music video for "Ghost", featuring the alternative mix, was filmed in Tokyo and was directed by Malia James and Ryan Witt in late May 2015. Halsey said she was satisfied with the outcome. It premiered on June 11, 2015.[10][11][12][13][14][1][15][16]

Track listing

Digital download[17]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Ghost"
Scott2:32
Digital download – Alternative mix[5]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Ghost"
  • Frangipane
  • Scott
Scott2:33
Lost Kings Remix[18]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Ghost (Lost Kings Remix)"
  • Frangipane
  • Scott
  • Scott
  • Lost Kings[a]
3:09

^[a] signifies a remixer.

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[19] Gold 35,000‡
United States (RIAA)[20] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Live performances

"Ghost" was performed by Halsey in a number of live appearances in 2015, including at the Billboard Hot 100 Festival in New York.[21]

Release history

Date Format Label Reference
February 3, 2014 Streaming Self-released [7]
July 28, 2014 Digital download Astralwerks [17]
March 9, 2015 Digital download (alternative mix) [5]

References

  1. ^ a b Reese, Nathan (September 2, 2015). "Halsey: Badlands". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  2. ^ "Ghost". Rhapsody.
  3. ^ "NEW: Halsey – Ghost". Inthejunkyardmusic.
  4. ^ GrungeCake Staff (July 29, 2014). "Halsey Signs To Astralwerks, Releases Debut Single "Ghost"". GrungeCake Magazine.
  5. ^ a b c "Room 93 - EP by Halsey on iTunes". iTunes. April 14, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  6. ^ Jessie Morris. "Halsey Gets 'Lost In Translation' In New Video For "Ghost" - Complex UK". Complex UK.
  7. ^ a b "h on Twitter: "Ghost is on soundcloud you hooligans. I don't want your money."". Twitter. February 3, 2014.
  8. ^ a b Gracie, Bianca (October 27, 2014). "Halsey's "Ghost" Video Is A Hazardous Affair: Idolator Premiere". Idolator. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on June 25, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  9. ^ "Los Angeles > AJ English". NEXT Model Management. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  10. ^ "Halsey Takes Tokyo in Her Sultry "Ghost" Music Video". Fuse.
  11. ^ Zara Golden. "Halsey Piques Curiosity With "Ghost" Video". The FADER.
  12. ^ "Halsey releases "Ghost" music video - Alternative Press". Alternative Press. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  13. ^ "Album Review – Halsey's "Badlands"". tritontimes.com. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  14. ^ "Halsey Releases Music Video for "Ghost" - Music News Nashville". Music News Nashville. Archived from the original on October 1, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  15. ^ "Lost Kings give Halsey's "Ghost" a vibrant chilled out remix [Premiere] - EARMILK". EARMILK. March 3, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  16. ^ "19 year old powerhouse Halsey signs to Astralwerks; stream debut single 'Ghost'". Hellhound Music. Archived from the original on October 2, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  17. ^ a b "Ghost - Single de Halsey en Apple Music". iTunes. July 29, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  18. ^ "Room 93: The Remixes - Single by Halsey on Apple Music". iTunes. March 9, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  19. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2017 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  20. ^ "American single certifications – Halsey – Ghost". Recording Industry Association of America.
  21. ^ "Halsey Brings Us to "Badlands" at the Billboard Hot 100 Festival – See the Pics! (@halsey)". CelebSecrets4U.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2015.