“Ghost” is a song by Justin Bieber from his 6th studio album Justice.
Background[]
“It was one of the songs you hear and you know there’s something special about it,” says Gudwin, Variety‘s Hitmaker of the Month, of “Ghost.” “I knew it was going to resonate deeply with Justin.” The song was sent to Gudwin by Johnson after Jon Bellion, who wrote the lyrics about his grandmother, originally sent a demo of it directly to Bieber.[1][2]
Justin Bieber revealed what the song was about to RADIO.COM: “I think that a lot of people in this day and age, in this time, are losing loved ones due to this crazy virus. But there’s a lot of people who have lost people from other things and just lose people, might not be a death, but have lost people that were in their life for a season and now that person isn’t. So, that can feel like a loss, almost like you’re grieving that person. So this song is kind of like that vibe of grieving that person but still having hope in the process. The song has got that uplifiting beat that still makes you feel hopeful through that feeling of loss and discouragement”[3]
When Ghost hit the #1 on US Pop Radio, Jon Bellion revealed that he wrote the song inspired by his grandmother with the tweet: "Wrote this one about my grandmother. Really cool to feel her every time I turn the radio on the car. Miss you Gma."
On September 10, 2021, Ghost was chosen to be Justice's sixth single. The song was promoted to pop radio stations in the United States. Justin sang the song at the MTV VMAs on September 12, before the show, a Dolby Atlmos commercial was released with Justin singing Ghost. Commercial directed by Colin Tilley.
The music video, also directed by Tilley, premiered alongside the release of Justin Bieber: Our World and Justice (The Complete Edition) on October 8th. It stars Diane Keaton.
Audio[]
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
Young blood thinks there's always tomorrow
I miss your touch some nights when I'm hollow
I know your cross the bridge that I can't follow
[Pre-Chorus]
Since the love that you left is all that I get
I want you to know that
[Chorus]
If I can't be close to you
I'll settle for the ghost of you
I miss you more than life
And if you can't be next to me
Your memory's ecstasy
I miss you more than life
I miss you more than life
[Verse 2]
Young blood thinks there's always tomorrow
I need more time, but time can't be borrowed
I'd leave it all behind if I could follow
[Pre-Chorus]
Since the love that you left is all that I get
I want you to know that
[Chorus]
If I can't be close to you
I'll settle for the ghost of you
I miss you more than life (Yeah)
And if you can't be next to me
Your memory is ecstasy (Oh)
I miss you more than life
I miss you more than life
[Bridge]
Woah-oh-oh-oh
Na-na-na
More than life (Oh)
[Chorus]
So if I can't get close to you
I'll settle for the ghost of you
I miss you more than life
And if you can't be next to me
Your memory is ecstasy
I miss you more than life
I miss you more than life
Music video[]
Ghost official music video was released on October 8, 2021. Directed by Colin Tilley and starring american actress Diane Keaton.
The video opens with the justin's grandfather character birthday. The moment is interrupted in the next scene as Bieber and Keaton mourn the death of his grandfather at an ocean-side funeral. Two years after the event, Bieber sees Keaton is still struggling with her husband's passing. He decides to take Keaton for a night out on the town as they attempt to move past their grief. Bieber buys a Gucci dress for Keaton to cheer her up, and they partake in activities such as going on long walks along Ventura Beach and taking shots, toasting, and dancing at a bar. Bieber later encourages Keaton to date again as she looks for eligible bachelors on a dating app called Slide. Bieber then drives Keaton to the beach in a convertible, where she scatters her husband's ashes in the ocean while dolphins jump up to greet them. At the end of the video, Bieber surprises Keaton by setting her up on a date with a new man who slightly resembles her widower.
Performances[]
- Made In America (September 5, 2021)
- MTV Video Music Awards (September 12, 2021)
- Justin Bieber: Our World New York premiere (September 14, 2021)
- JulesTheWulf birthday party at The Nice Guy (September 27, 2021)
- The Event (October 2, 2021)
- Justin Bieber & Friends (October 10, 2021)
- Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Gran Prix Concert (December 5, 2021)
- Jingle Bell Ball (December 11, 2021)
- Homecoming Big Game Weekend (February 11, 2022)
- Justice World Tour (2022)
- Takeoff's Celebration of Life (November 11, 2022)
- Drew House x Toronto Maple Leafs private event (February 1, 2024)
Commercial performance[]
Billboard[]
At the Billboard Hot 100, Ghost debuted in its first week of release, as did all the new songs on the Justice album on the end week of April 3, 2021. But it only stayed on the chart for 2 weeks peaking at #66. Untilil it returned to the hot 100 in the week of October 16, already as a single. Re-entry at #93. A week later it climbs to #32, becoming Justin Bieber's 51st Top 40 song.
Weeks later Ghost enters the Top 10 at a new peak of #9, becoming his 26th Top 10 hit. Until finally on the week of April 2, 2022, Ghost reached its peak at #5, almost a year after its release. Becoming Justin Bieber's 20th hit in the top 5.
US Radios[]
Ghost tops the No. 1 on Billboard‘s Pop Airplay of the ranking dated Feb. 26. The song is Bieber’s milestone 10th Pop Airplay No. 1, pushing him past Bruno Mars for the most among solo males since the list launched in October 1992.
While a day before, Ghost reached the number one on Mediabase's US Pop Radio chart, becoming his 12th #1. Surpassing Michael Jackson's record at the soloist male artist with more #1. Third artist overall just behind Mariah Carey (14) and Madonna (15).
Charts[]
Chart | Peak |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA) | 11 |
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 75 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 28 |
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) | 2 |
Canada AC (Billboard) | 3 |
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard) | 2 |
Canada Hot AC (Billboard) | 1 |
Croatia (HRT) | 13 |
Czech Republic (Rádio - Top 100) | 6 |
Denmark (Tracklisten) | 25 |
Germany (Official German Charts) | 79 |
Global 200 (Bilboard) | 16 |
Global Excl. U.S. (Billboard) | 46 |
Greece (IFP) | 44 |
Hungary (Rádios Top 40) | 20 |
Iceland (Plötutí6indi) | 14 |
Indonesia (Billboard) | 2 |
Ireland (IRMA) | 7 |
Lebanon (OLT20) | 2 |
Lithuania (AGATA) | 49 |
Malaysia (RIM) | 1 |
México Airplay (Billboard) | 42 |
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 16 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 23 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 16 |
Philippines (Billboard) | 6 |
Portugal (AFP) | 44 |
Singapore (RISA) | 1 |
Slovakia (Singes Digitál Top 100) | 58 |
South África (RISA) | 37 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) | 72 |
Switzeland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 83 |
UK Singles (OCC) | 19 |
UK Streaming (OCC) | 56 |
US Billboard Hot 100 | 5 |
US Adult Contemporany (Billboard) | 6 |
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard) | 1 |
US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard) | 5 |
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard) | 1 |
US Rhythmic (Billboard) | 39 |
US Top 100 (Rolling Stone) | 32 |
Certifications[]
Region | Certification | Unit/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) | 3x Platinum | 210,000* |
Canada (Music Canada) | 2x Platinum | 160,000* |
Denmark (IFPI Denmark) | Platinum | 90,000* |
Germany (BVMI) | Gold | 200,000* |
Italy (FIMI) | Gold | 50,000* |
New Zealand (RMNZ) | Platinum | 30,000* |
Norway (IFPI Norway) | Gold | 30,000* |
Poland (ZPAV) | Gold | 25,000* |
Portugal (AFP) | Platinum | 10,000* |
United Kingdom (BPI) | Platinum | 600,000* |
United States (RIAA) | 3x Platinum | 3,000,000* |
Streaming | ||
Greece (IFPI Greece) | Gold | 1,000,000** |
Sweden (GLF) | Gold | 4,000,000** |
Awards and nominations[]
Year | Award | Nomination | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2022 | BreakTudo Awards | International Hit | Nominated |
Kids' Choice Awards México | International Hit of the Year | Nominated | |
VEVO Certified Awards | 100 Million Views | Won | |
2023 | ASCAP Awards (Pop) | Winning Songwriters & Publishers | Won |
BMI Pop Awards | Most Performed Song of the Year | Won | |
IHeartRadio Music Awards | Song of the Year | Nominated |
Credits[]
Credits adapted from Tidal.[4]
- Producer: Jon Bellion / The Monsters & Strangerz
- Composer: Jonathan Bellion / Jordan K. Johnson / Justin Bieber / Michael Pollack / Stefan Johnson
- Lyricist: Jonathan Bellion / Jordan K. Johnson / Justin Bieber / Michael Pollack / Stefan Johnson
- Assistant Mixer: Heidi Wang
- Associated Performer: Jon Bellion / Josh GudwinJustin Bieber / Michael Pollack / Pierre-Luc Rioux / Stefan Johnson / The Monsters & Strangerz
- Asst. Recording Engineer: Ryan Lytle
- Background Vocalist: Jon Bellion
- Bass: The Monsters & Strangerz
- Drums: The Monsters & Strangerz
- Engineer: Heidi Wang / Josh Gudwin
- Guitar: Pierre-Luc Rioux
- Keyboards: The Monsters & Strangerz
- Mastering Engineer: Colin Leonard
- Mixer: Josh Gudwin
- Piano: Michael Pollack
- Programmer: Jon Bellion / The Monsters & Strangerz
- Studio Personnel: Colin Leonard / Heidi Wang / Josh Gudwin / Ryan Lytle
- Vocal Producer: Jon Bellion / Josh Gudwin / Stefan Johnson
References[]
- ↑ Moayeri, Lily (March 22, 2021). "Hitmaker of the Month: How Josh Gudwin’s ‘Mix Energy’ Helped Boost Justin Bieber’s ‘Ghost’". Variety.
- ↑ Bellion, Jon (February 20, 2022). "Wrote this one about my grandmother.". Twitter.
- ↑ Zipper, Marni (March 22, 2021). "Justin Bieber reveals how sessions with Shawn Mendes and marriage to Hailey helped shape 'Justice'". Radio.com.
- ↑ "Credits / Justice (The Complete Edition) / Justin Bieber – TIDAL". Tidal.