The song "Ghosts" by Gabrielle Aplin explores themes of disappointment, loss, and the fear of being alone. The lyrics talk about the speaker's frustration with their current situation and their longing for a sense of stability and security. In the first verse, Aplin expresses her weariness of looking out her window, possibly symbolizing her yearning for something better. She reflects on past experiences, stating that rain (or difficult situations) cannot make flowers (or positive outcomes) grow. She also mentions how friends come and go, demonstrating how easily people can be swayed by external factors. The pre-chorus emphasizes the recurring theme of closed doors, which may symbolize missed opportunities or feelings of being trapped. It suggests that the speaker can only feel safe and secure when all possibilities have been exhausted. The chorus repeats the phrase "When you're awake and your own shadows turn into ghosts," which suggests the internal struggles and fears that haunt the speaker, potentially representing the feeling of being alone or misunderstood. In the second verse, Aplin predicts the eventual downfall of those who have mistreated or abandoned her. She envisions a situation where their "roads have no way" and they will be left with nothing. This imagery symbolizes her desire for justice and vindication. The bridge reinforces the idea that "home" or a sense of security can become something one fears the most. The line "When shadows turn into ghosts, it's what you're scared of the most" implies that the speaker is haunted by their own insecurities and fears. Overall, the song "Ghosts" explores the emotional journey of an individual who has experienced disappointment, loss, and the fear of being alone. It conveys a yearning for stability, justice, and a sense of belonging.
