Ghosts
Jacob Tillberg
Haunted by Memories: The Emotional Echoes in Jacob Tillberg's 'Ghosts'
Jacob Tillberg's song 'Ghosts' delves into the lingering pain and haunting memories of a past relationship. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a specific day in October, a time when the leaves were falling, symbolizing the end of a relationship. The imagery of falling leaves mirrors the singer's own emotional descent as the relationship concluded. This seasonal metaphor sets the tone for the song, encapsulating the sorrow and struggle that follows a significant emotional loss.
The recurring mention of the smell of the ex-lover's perfume highlights the sensory triggers that keep the memories alive. Despite the passage of time, these sensory memories remain potent, making it difficult for the singer to move on. The line 'I think I saw you but I know I'm not supposed to' suggests the internal conflict between wanting to see the ex-lover and knowing that it's not healthy or possible. This conflict is further emphasized by the repeated assertion, 'I must be dreaming 'cause I don't believe in ghosts,' which serves as a metaphor for the disbelief and denial of the lingering emotional presence of the ex-lover.
The chorus, with its repetitive declaration of not believing in ghosts, underscores the struggle to let go of the past. The ghosts in the song are not literal but represent the memories and emotions that continue to haunt the singer. The repetition of this line can be seen as a mantra, a way for the singer to convince themselves that they can move on, even though the memories are still very much alive. The song captures the universal experience of being haunted by the past and the difficulty of moving forward after a significant emotional loss.