If We Were Ghosts

Album: Defy (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This haunting song was inspired in part by Chester Bennington's death. The Linkin Park singer was a close friend of the band and his suicide hit all of them hard. Vocalist Aaron Pauley told Kerrang:

    "It's all about losing somebody. In a way it's about Chester, and that when these things happen you can't blame yourself. The chorus goes, 'I have to wait 'til I get to the other side just to see you. I have to wait 'til I get to the other side 'cause I never got to say goodbye.'"
  • Though the lyrics came easily, this was the Defy track that took longest to get right, musically. Pauley told HMV.com:

    "I started off like this weird carnival music, but we took pieces of that and turned it into something you could play on an acoustic guitar. It was very cathartic to write and record, and in my opinion it's the best song on the record. It's hands down the most meaningful one, too."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Music Video Director David Hogan

Music Video Director David HoganSong Writing

David talks about videos he made for Prince, Alabama, Big & Rich, Sheryl Crow, DMB, Melissa Etheridge and Sisters of Mercy.

Brenda Russell

Brenda RussellSongwriter Interviews

Brenda talks about the inspiration that drove her to write hit songs like "Get Here" and "Piano in the Dark," and why a lack of formal music training can be a songwriter's best asset.

La La Brooks of The Crystals

La La Brooks of The CrystalsSong Writing

The lead singer on "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me," La La explains how and why Phil Spector replaced The Crystals with Darlene Love on "He's A Rebel."

dUg Pinnick of King's X

dUg Pinnick of King's XSongwriter Interviews

dUg dIgs into his King's X metal classics and his many side projects, including the one with Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam.

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.