Ghosts

Mike Shinoda's song 'Ghosts' delves into the ethereal and often unsettling realm of the unseen and unexplained. The lyrics open with a clarification that the song is not about traditional supernatural entities like poltergeists or glowing phantoms. Instead, it explores the intangible and mysterious aspects of life that defy logical explanation. The protagonist is grappling with dreams that eerily manifest in reality, suggesting a blurred line between the subconscious and the waking world. This phenomenon forces them to keep an open mind, even when faced with skepticism from others.

The recurring theme of running away each night until daylight comes symbolizes a quest for understanding and perhaps escape from these haunting experiences. The protagonist acknowledges the disbelief of others but continues to experience these inexplicable events, leading to a sense of isolation and a need to reconcile these occurrences on their own terms. The chorus, with its haunting repetition of 'ghosts,' emphasizes the persistence of these memories and experiences, which seem to call out and demand attention when the lights go down.

The song also touches on the theme of memory and loss. The line 'Holding every memory close, tonight is for our ghosts' suggests that these 'ghosts' could also represent past experiences and memories that linger and shape our present. The protagonist is unable to return to how things used to be, indicating a sense of irrevocable change and the need to come to terms with it. The 'ghosts' are not just supernatural entities but also metaphors for the past and the unresolved emotions that continue to haunt us. This duality adds depth to the song, making it a poignant reflection on the human experience of dealing with the unknown and the remnants of our past.