Benson Boone
On “GHOST TOWN” Success & Social Media Virality
By Kenneth Tse
No one understands the word “viral” more as of late than Singer/Songwriter Benson Boone. With the help of the social media machine, the 19-year-old artist and content creator from Monroe, Washington, has become a certified internet sensation.
Benson’s popularity continues to flourish after going viral on TikTok less than two years ago, taking him from the spotlight of American Idol to the writer’s room with Dan Reynolds. It’s a journey that can only be described as remarkable, as the reroutes in his young career recently culminated in a label partnership with the Imagine Dragons singer and Warner Music.
On October 15th, the musician with over two million social media followers released his well-anticipated debut single, “GHOST TOWN.” Snippets of the song saw industry-changing virality, reaching over 10 million TikTok users and providing all the marketing needed to make it sure hit. As of today, “GHOST TOWN” has over seven million streams and counting and is a favorite of pop playlist curators across all digital streaming platforms. We speak to Benson about his debut track, his favorite TikTok content, and more!
Benson, thanks so much for speaking with us, and congrats on your debut single! Can you walk us through the inspiration for “Ghost Town”?
Because I’m very new to writing, I pulled emotion from a couple of different places for Ghost Town. The main source of inspiration being, that this song is a representation of my emotional maturity. When I wrote it, I was in the middle of completely changing my life. I had just moved to Vegas on the fly with no money, and no solid plan. I was away from my friends and family. But I knew that’s what I had to do to be able to develop into the artist I want to be. Ghost Town is less about a relationship, and more for me about letting go of my childhood, knowing I’ll be happier in the end even though it’s a hard decision.
How did such inspiration translate into the music video?
The music video is very raw, not staged at all, and in every way a representation of my personality. It’s filmed with my actual best friends. The whole music video was shot over the course of 2 days. We drove around going to places we grew up going to. The cliff jumping, rope swinging, hiking, etc. are all things we love to do together. That felt special for this particular song because that’s my childhood! That’s pretty much what I grew up doing.
“Ghost Town” Cover Art / Click to Listen!
Was there anything unique about your musical process this time around?
“Ghost Town” was the first song I ever wrote without Dan Reynolds. We wrote together for a couple of days, and he taught me the basics. After that, I was sent to LA for a few writing sessions and this was the first song I wrote. I was a little nervous for the session, but the chorus melody popped in my head in the Uber on the way to that session. I showed the idea to the writer and producer and they loved it!
What do you want listeners to take from the track?
I think there are so many people caught in uncomfortable situations they could avoid if they stood up for themselves. Letting go of something or someone isn’t always easy, but this song is just a small reminder that making the hard decision can turn out to have the best outcome. Everyone takes life at their own pace, but we all at some point have to stand up for ourselves.
You are a part of the growing community of artists that have gone viral on TikTok! What has it been like to blow up on the app?
I think TikTok is an opportunity to share my personality with the world. Lots of artists before TikTok could only show their true colors on stage, but this is like the trailer for an amazing movie. It’s the opening act for when I tour. People will already know that I have lots of energy, or that I do backflips randomly. So for me, it’s an amazing experience and a way to show who I am to people listening to my music.
With over 1.8 million social media followers, do you feel any added pressure to put out music?
I don’t feel any added pressure. I’ve spent the last 5 months thinking about the artist that I want to be. I know that if I show people the music that I love and make on a consistent basis, whether they like it or not I’ll be satisfied. I just want to keep making music I love and sharing it with the world.
Which one of your recent videos did you enjoy making the most?
I made a video about the first time hearing Ghost Town on Spotify. That was definitely my favorite video to make because it felt like a huge accomplishment to me. People had been hearing Ghost town for about six months and that was the first time I got to hear it as their song, not just mine.
You were also a fan favorite on American Idol! What was that experience like?
Being on American Idol was an amazing experience! I loved meeting contestants, performing, and seeing judge reactions. Everything about it was so fun and a great learning experience. I just felt like I didn’t quite understand who I was as an artist yet.
Is music something you’ve always wanted to do?
Music has actually not been part of my life for very long. There have been aspects of it in my life growing up, but never singing. My sisters took piano lessons and when they would come home and practice their songs, I would go and play them by ear. Things that like developed when I was younger but I never even thought to sing.
And at what point did you decide that this is the career path you wanted to take?
I started singing about two years ago when my best friend asked me to try covering for his band. But it still didn’t even seem like an actual career until last November, so almost a year ago.
Whatever the case may be, it was the right decision. You currently work with Dan Reynolds of The Imagine Dragons and Warner Music – How is that?
Dan Reynolds is an amazing and rare musician and person. I thought it was crazy did I even got the chance to meet him, let alone write music with him. But he makes it so easy, he’s such a nice and caring person and will do whatever it takes to make sure that you are doing good. I think it’s very rare these days to find someone who has accomplished so much yes still takes time for people like me who hadn’t even written a song before. I cannot express how grateful I am for him and all he’s done for me. Truly an amazing human.
What would you say has been the most surreal moment on your journey thus far?
Probably writing with Dan. Just being in the room with him and enjoying writing songs with his has been the craziest experience for me in the best possible way!
Lastly, who do you owe your biggest thanks to?
I give my biggest thanks to my manager, Jeff Burns. I have never seen anyone work harder than he does, he cares so much about me and always has my back. He is literally the reason I am here today and doesn’t get enough credit for everything he does for me and the people around him.
Click to watch Benson Boone’s “GHOST TOWN” / Out Now!