Ghostly
Ghostly Reflections: Navigating Loss and Longing in Bartees Strange's Melodic Tale
Lyrics
Take a left on Rosebud, we're near my flat
Refers to a location "Rosebud" near the speaker's flat, setting the scene for the narrative.
Never lax, never chill she said, but so blessed
Describes someone as never being relaxed or calm but feeling blessed.
We'd hang outside 'til the wind cut our cheeks
Recalls spending time outdoors with someone until the wind became noticeable.
You tore the roof off a five seater (top down)
Narrates an incident where someone tore off the roof of a five-seater car and swung it for the speaker.
And swang it for me
Expresses gratitude for the mentioned action and gesture.
Lord knows I love my friends, ooh I love
Declares love for friends, emphasizing the sentiment.
So ayy bruh, call me on the phone for once
Requests a friend to call on the phone, highlighting a desire for connection.
Ayy cuz, you don't got to be so alone
Encourages the friend not to feel lonely, using a familiar term of address ("cuz").
We ain't but, why you act so old all of a sudden
Questions a change in behavior, wondering why the friend is acting older all of a sudden.
It ain't trust when I hit the road in a week
Expresses a lack of trust when the speaker is away and the friend doesn't respond to calls.
And you can't pick up the phone or nothin'
Notes the impact of the friend's unresponsiveness, emphasizing the importance of communication.
That's how you lose a day one
States that such behavior leads to losing a "day one," a term often used for a close, longstanding friend.
Call in four months, call in four months (how)
Reiterates the need for communication, emphasizing the time gap with the phrase "call in four months."
Call in four months
Repeats the plea for contact after a significant duration ("call in four months").
I can't believe it, a fault that I can't hide
Expresses disbelief at a fault or mistake that cannot be concealed.
Memories well up in my eyes
Reflects on memories that evoke emotions, causing tears to well up in the speaker's eyes.
Most folks would say that I seem fine
Contrasts external perceptions of well-being with the speaker's internal struggles.
But each morning morning I don't feel worth it
Reveals the emotional turmoil experienced each morning, feeling unworthy.
Pull up to my job almost on time
Describes arriving almost on time at work, hinting at the struggle to maintain normalcy.
Wish I could disappear more often
Expresses a desire to escape reality more frequently and hide at home.
Just run home and hide
Longs for the comfort of home as a sanctuary.
Feel ghostly bad, way beyond description
Introduces a strong feeling of being "ghostly bad" that goes beyond easy description.
I feel sad, not because I miss her
Clarifies that the sadness felt is not solely due to missing someone.
I don't want nothing I could lose
Expresses a reluctance to desire anything that could be lost.
If I fall in, who's gone pull me up, blood
Ponders who would support the speaker if they fall, emphasizing the need for reliable connections.
I don't want nothing that I can't trust
Reiterates a preference for trusting things and people in the speaker's life.
It's hard now knowing I need you
Admits difficulty in acknowledging the need for someone.
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Ends with an exclamation, possibly indicating a culmination of emotions or a plea for understanding.
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