Why are you frightened - can't you see that it's you
That ain't no ghost - it's a reflection of you
Why do you turn away - and keep it out of sight

Or don't live up to your given roles
There's more inside you that you won't show

But you keep it hidden just like everyone
You're scared to show you care - it'll make you vulnerable
So you wear that ghost around you for disguise

But there's no need just 'cause it's all we've known
There's more inside you that you haven't shown

So keep on moving, moving, moving your feet
Keep on shuf-shuf-shuffling to this ghost dance beat
Just keep on walking down never ending streets

One day you'll walk right out of this life
And then you'll wonder why you didn't try

To spread some loving all around
Old fashioned causes like that still stand
Gotta rid this prejudice that ties you down

How do you feel at the end of the day
Just like you've walked over your own grave

So why are you frightened - can't you see that it's you
At the moment there's nothing - so there's nothing to lose
Lift up your lonely heart and walk right on through


Lyrics submitted by planetearth, edited by badsongninja

Ghosts song meanings
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8 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    easily the best jam song.so simple but blindingly effective.brilliant lyrics as usual by the modfather.

    endeavouron March 19, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    How come on a site about lyrics nobody is reading this genius?

    hihoricherinoon October 13, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this is one of my favorite songs...though I'd have to admit that I was introduced to this song by Ted Leo's cover.

    dbarker02on October 20, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I completely agree with hihoricherino. This is a masterclass in song writing and a lot of bands would do well to look to Weller for inspiration. An excellent song.

    bobby82on March 09, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think this song is about waking up out of an introverted, shy-like shell to more thoroughly engage the world around us and the people in it. It's a great message for any kid in school who feels intimidated by the illusion of an unengagable world, or the lonely heart who is too shy to grab life by the horns and take the girl of his dreams into his arms. Simple, to the point, and certainly no hit.. this is the Jam at their finest.

    endestewon November 10, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Stop pretending open up to yourself and to others, don t be affraid to love and life will bless you with colour and love. Obviously a chick pull ploy> right on PW

    mattsmiton May 05, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Beautiful song that has an amazing bass note to start.

    jgm4661on February 28, 2019   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Someone changed these lyrics to a Pearl Jam song...

    badsongninjaon December 30, 2022   Link

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