Tori Templet: How I Wrote “Ghosts”
One night, I sat on my bathroom floor with my guitar, feeling super anxious and frustrated with life. I started writing about these “ghosts” that are really just a metaphor for all the insecurity and fear in my head that keeps me up at night. I wrote the whole song in the span of about twenty minutes. When I write songs like this in that short of time, I know they are something to sit on and process because they are super vulnerable and open. I kept coming back to the song because I kept having the same feelings, and that is when I knew it was special.
“Ghosts” Cover Art / Click to Listen!
Ghosts might be one of my favorite songs I have released because I know many people can resonate with it. It showcases the ideals of our society, and how there is a constant fear of judgment that we walk around with. I realized I was broken and way too worried about how other people viewed me. That makes life so boring. How can you truly live if you’re constantly afraid of changing or evolving? The spontaneity of life and growing into the person you want to be is what’s exciting, and we shouldn’t be afraid to completely be who we are just because people might look at us differently.
The beginning line, “I want to dye my hair, but I’m a little scared. Not really sure if I would like it,” is one of my favorites. My idea with this opening was to show how I actually wanted to dye my hair, but it wasn’t that I wouldn’t like it, but questioning if other people would like it. This line reflected the rest of the song, focusing on that idea of how I am just way too caught up in what other people think of me. It had gotten to the point where it was overtaking my whole being, and I felt like I couldn’t even breathe anymore. What I love about it is there is no resolve at the end because it is something I still struggle with. I always will, but I loved taking this idea and making it into something so care-free.
I tend to write music when I feel most vulnerable about how I’m feeling which is typically when I’m going through something pretty heavy. But I’ve realized that writing sad lyrics doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be a sad song. Specifically, with Ghosts, I wanted for people to hear it and immediately start dancing around their room. Lyrically, Ghosts is overwhelming and could put you in your feels, but instrumentally, it is a certified bop if I do say so myself.
This song has turned into something I did not imagine it would be when I was sitting on my bathroom floor. I didn’t think I would release it. I didn’t think it would be a song I would absolutely fall in love with, but here we are. It’s out in the world, and I couldn’t be prouder of it. I’m just grateful I get to do what I love surrounded by insanely talented and passionate people I love. There is so much more to come, and I can’t wait for it all. And if you’re wondering, I did end up dying my hair, and I love it.