Songs about ghosts and spirits have long captured the imagination of artists across genres. Whether they are about paranormal, use spectral imagery as a metaphor, or feature “ghost” or “ghosts” in the title, these 32 songs are great for anyone drawn to the supernatural. Check out the list below to uncover a mix of eerie ballads, spooky tracks, and songs that use the otherworldly to tell their stories.
Be sure to check out the Songs About Ghosts Playlist at the bottom of this page.
Best Songs About Ghosts
1. “Ghost Town” – The Specials
Lyric Sample: “This town is coming like a ghost town, why must the youth fight against themselves?”
A ska classic, “Ghost Town” captures the eerie feeling of a desolate place where spirits of the past linger. Its socio-political commentary makes it a ghostly anthem for the times.
Related: Best Halloween Songs
2. “Ghost” – Justin Bieber
Lyric Sample: “That if I can’t be close to you, I’ll settle for the ghost of you.”
“Ghost” is an emotional track about missing someone dearly and longing for their presence, even in spirit. It captures the essence of love lost, making it a fitting addition to any playlist centered around ghosts and the supernatural.
3. “Ghosts Will Haunt My Bones” – Machine Head
Lyric Sample: “Ghosts will haunt my bones, they won’t leave me alone.”
“Ghosts Will Haunt My Bones” is a heavy and intense track that dives into the emotional turmoil of inner demons and dark memories. Its lyrics are all about relentless suffering, with the ghosts representing unshakable regrets and struggles that continue to torment the narrator.
4. “Ghostbusters” – Ray Parker Jr.
Lyric Sample: “Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!”
An iconic and upbeat track, “Ghostbusters” is synonymous with the supernatural and the fight against paranormal forces. Its catchy chorus and playful lyrics make it a fun and spirited (no pun intended) take on ghostly themes.
5. “The Ghost Who Walks” – Karen Elson
Lyric Sample: “The ghost who walks, she’s on the prowl for the man she loved, he cut her down.”
In “The Ghost Who Walks,” Karen Elson weaves a dark narrative of betrayal and vengeance. The song tells the story of a woman who is murdered by the man she loves, only to return as a ghost, seeking revenge.
6. “Ghost” – Indigo Girls
Lyric Sample: “There’s a letter on the desktop, I dug out of a drawer, the last truce we ever came to, from our adolescent war.”
In “Ghost,” Indigo Girls explore the aftermath of an intense and unresolved relationship. The song beautifully captures the mix of longing and pain that comes with being in love with someone who is no longer physically present but remains deeply ingrained in one’s life.
7. “Haunted” – Poe
Lyric Sample: “I’m haunted by the lives that I have loved and actions I have hated.”
“Haunted” is about being trapped by memories and regrets. It’s about being overwhelmed by unresolved emotions and promises made, all of which continue to haunt their mind.
8. “Ghost” – Ella Henderson
Lyric Sample: “But your ghost, the ghost of you, it keeps me awake.”
This song explores the torment of unresolved emotions, where the narrator attempts to move on but is constantly haunted by the ghost of a past lover. The repetitive cycle of trying to escape their presence but failing creates an intense, almost supernatural feeling of being trapped in the past.
Related: Brit Awards – Song of the Year
9. “Casper the Friendly Ghost” – Little Richard
Lyric Sample: “Casper, the friendly ghost, the friendliest ghost you know.”
Any Songs About Ghosts list has to have this one! This cheerful song tells the story of Casper, the beloved cartoon ghost. Its upbeat tune and whimsical lyrics make it an endearing take on the idea of friendly ghosts, as opposed to those who bring fear.
10. “(Ghost) Riders in the Sky” – Johnny Cash
Lyric Sample: “Yippee-yi-yo, yippee-yi-ay, ghost riders in the sky.”
A classic Western ballad, “(Ghost) Riders in the Sky” tells the tale of ghostly cowboys chasing the winds in the sky. It perfectly captures the spirit of the paranormal in the Wild West.
11. “Ghost” – Neutral Milk Hotel
Lyric Sample: “I love you, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, I love you, yes I do.”
This atmospheric and abstract track weaves surreal lyrics with great instrumentation, creating a sense of otherworldliness. It captures the feeling of being haunted by a greater force, with its raw emotion and cryptic references.
12. “Ghosts” – Japan
Lyric Sample: “The ghosts of my life blow wilder than before.”
This song is about the haunting presence of past failures and regrets, symbolized by the “ghosts” that continue to disrupt the narrator’s sense of progress and peace. The repeated line conveys the idea that no matter how much the narrator tries to move forward, the shadows of past mistakes continue to haunt and challenge them.
13. “The Ghost of You” – My Chemical Romance
Lyric Sample: “I never said I’d lie in wait forever, if I died, we’d be together.”
From the excellent album Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge, this emotionally charged song revolves around the longing for a lost love, with the ghost of a person lingering in the protagonist’s memory.
14. “Ghosts” – Bruce Springsteen
Lyric Sample: “It’s just your ghost moving through the night, your spirit filled with light.”
In this song, the narrator feels the lasting presence of someone important, whose spirit continues to inspire and energize them through music and memories. The emotional resonance of the ghost’s influence fills the narrator with life and purpose, even as they navigate the loss.
15. “Phantom Bride” – Deftones
Lyric Sample: “You spend your life trapped in this void where you will stay always.”
In this intense track, the narrator describes a life consumed by emotional numbness and detachment, trapped in a void of their own making. The phantom-like presence of this void symbolizes an inner struggle, where the individual feels disconnected and unable to escape their own toxic patterns.
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16. “Spirit in the Sky” – Norman Greenbaum
Lyric Sample: “When I die and they lay me to rest, gonna go to the place that’s the best.”
This iconic song blends elements of gospel and rock, expressing hope for spiritual salvation after death. The lyrics express a desire to reach a better place, one of peace and joy, offering an uplifting perspective on life’s end.
Related: “Spirit in the Sky” Song Meaning
17. “Bury Me With My Guns On” – Bobaflex
Lyric Sample: “Bury me with my guns on, so when I reach the other side, I can show him what it feels like to die.”
This intense and gritty song explores themes of vengeance, defiance, and rebellion, wrapped in a powerful and gritty rock atmosphere. He imagines being buried with his weapons, determined to confront even the afterlife with force.
18. “Haunting” – Halsey
Lyric Sample: “I’m begging you to keep on haunting, I know you’re gonna keep on haunting me.”
In this ballad, Halsey explores the themes of love, regret, and emotional torment. She looks back on a past relationship that still lingers in her mind, even as she tries to move forward.
19. “(Don’t Fear) the Reaper” – Blue Öyster Cult
Lyric Sample: “Come on, baby, don’t fear the reaper, take my hand.”
A chilling yet tender song about death and eternal love, “(Don’t Fear) the Reaper” is a rock classic. The song captures the notion of embracing the inevitable and the ghostly connection that transcends life.
20. “The Ghost of Tom Joad” – Bruce Springsteen
Lyric Sample: “I’m sitting down here in the campfire light, waiting on the ghost of Tom Joad.”
This song captures the haunting presence of Tom Joad’s spirit, highlighting the struggles and hardships faced by individuals living in poverty. Bruce Springsteen uses the ghost of Tom Joad to explore themes of social injustice and perseverance, blending folk and rock elements to create a powerful narrative.
21. “Spirits” – The Strumbellas
Lyric Sample: “I got guns in my head and they won’t go, Spirits in my head and they won’t go.”
This song captures the tension of battling inner demons while still striving for meaning and hope. The uplifting folk-pop melody juxtaposes the struggle for peace with a desire to escape from mental and emotional turmoil.
22. “Ghost” – Michael Jackson
Lyric Sample: “There’s a ghost down in the hall, There’s a ghoul upon the bed.”
This eerie track blends elements of funk, pop, and rock to create a chilling atmosphere, as Jackson sings about a haunting presence that disrupts his life. It’s about dealing with an internal struggle of jealousy and intrusion, offering a dramatic exploration of fear and emotion.
23. “Ghost of You” – 5 Seconds of Summer
Lyric Sample: “So I drown it out like I always do, dancing through our house with the ghost of you.”
“Ghost of You” is all about post-breakup feelings, with the narrator still dancing through memories of their lost love. The lyrics are about trying to move on, but the ghost of the relationship continues to linger, emotionally and physically, in their everyday life.
24. “She Talks to Angels” – The Black Crowes
Lyric Sample: “She talks to angels, they call her out by her name.”
“She Talks to Angels” tells the story of a troubled woman who finds solace in talking to angels, suggesting that spirits are guiding or watching over her.
Related: “She Talks to Angels” Song Meaning
25. “Bury a Friend” – Billie Eilish
Lyric Sample: “What do you want from me? Why don’t you run from me? What are you wondering?”
Billie Eilish’s eerie track explores the unsettling presence of a sinister figure, possibly a ghost or inner demon, who haunts the narrator’s mind.
26. “The Family Ghost” – King Diamond
Lyric Sample: “The darkness came closer to home, On the following night, and Miriam slept like a rock.”
“The Family Ghost” blends elements of horror and the supernatural as it tells the eerie tale of a family ghost, Count de LaFey, guiding the protagonist through chilling secrets. It has themes of death, possession, and the supernatural, making it a perfect fit for a list about ghostly or spirit-related songs.
27. “Ghost Behind My Eyes” – Ozzy Osbourne
Lyric Sample: “You are the ghost behind my eyes, I can’t see through you.”
“Ghost Behind My Eyes” is about the overwhelming presence of a ghostly figure that occupies the narrator’s mind, blurring the line between reality and torment.
28. “Walking with a Ghost” – Tegan and Sara
Lyric Sample: “I was walking with a ghost, I said please, please don’t insist.”
This track captures the feeling of being haunted by a lingering presence, with its repetitive yet captivating chorus conveying a sense of being unable to escape from the past.
29. “Little Ghost” – The White Stripes
Lyric Sample: “Little ghost, little ghost, one I’m scared of the most, can you scare me up a little bit of love?”
This song tells the story of a man who falls in love with a ghost, struggling with the tension between his desire and the supernatural barrier between them. The eerie yet tender lyrics capture the bittersweet longing for a love that cannot fully exist.
30. “The Ghost in You” – The Psychedelic Furs
Lyric Sample: “Inside you the time moves, and she don’t fade, the ghost in you.”
In this track, The Psychedelic Furs blend existential musings with an ethereal sense of longing. The song captures the idea of a ghost that doesn’t fade with time, symbolizing an enduring influence on the narrator’s life and emotions.
31. “Wildfire” – Michael Martin Murphey
Lyric Sample: “She comes down from Yellow Mountain, on a dark, flat land she rides.”
“Wildfire” is about a man who feels connected to the story of a woman and her horse lost in a deadly winter storm. It has themes of loss, escape, and the hope for freedom from a hard life.
Related: “Wildfire” Song Meaning
32. “Ghost of the Navigator” – Iron Maiden
Lyric Sample: “I see the ghosts of navigators but they are lost, as they sail into the sunset they’ll count the cost.”
This powerful track has themes of fate and loss, as the protagonist navigates both the seas and the mysteries of life. The ghosts of past navigators serve as reminders of the perils of the voyage, while the protagonist presses forward with resolve, battling the sirens and the unknown.
Conclusion
Songs about ghosts capture the beauty of the supernatural, often blending eerie sounds with profound emotions. These tracks highlight the versatility of the ghostly theme. Whether you’re looking for something spooky for Halloween or just a song that taps into the mysterious, these songs leave you thinking about ghosts long after the music fades.
You might also like the Songs About Missing Someone and Songs About Storms lists!
