Give Up The Ghost

Album: Good Souls: The Greatest Hits (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is one of two brand new tracks which were recorded with producer Harry Rutherford at the famous Fisher Lane Studios for Starsailor's Good Souls: The Greatest Hits album. "'Give Up The Ghost' came from the energy of being back together after so much time," explained singer James Walsh. "It's about not being ready to give up on something despite the challenges that you face."
  • The phrase "give up the ghost" means in this context to stop making an effort having given up hope. It alludes to the idea that life is independent of the body and is due to the habitation of the ghost or spirit in the material body. Therefore when someone dies, they are 'giving up the ghost.' Radiohead recorded a song with the same title for their 2011 King Of Limbs album.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."

Charles Fox

Charles FoxSongwriter Interviews

After studying in Paris with a famous composition teacher, Charles became the most successful writer of TV theme songs.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"They're Playing My Song

With the band in danger of being dropped from their label, Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith co-wrote the song that started their trek from horror show curiosity to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Mike Scott of The Waterboys - "Fisherman's Blues"

Mike Scott of The Waterboys - "Fisherman's Blues"They're Playing My Song

Armed with a childhood spent devouring books, Mike Scott's heart was stolen by the punk rock scene of 1977. Not surprisingly, he would go on to become the most literate of rockers.