"A friendly ghost,
is all I need"
seems to me to be a double-entendre, which can be interpreted in two completely different/opposing ways...
It can either be seen as an unhappy person's negative reaction to an event they see as just another incident in their bad-luck streak. You know the old cliche "oh - that's all I need!"; resultingly, in this scenario, they are dismissing any personal desire to interact with the ghost (and would supposedly be happy if it tunred out that the ghost was in fact, not real).
On the other hand, they seem to be openly longing - and potentially grateful for - any opportunity that life can offer them, including the strange situation they seem to have found themselves in (in this manner, they are hopeful the ghost is real).
I like this, as he repeats this refrain throughout the song, and although the prospect of a ghost inhabiting his house is a scary and an unwanted proposition at first (and seemingly a nuisance), he grows steadily more curious and open to the idea (as is evident throughout the various verses of the song, as it progresses).
I think this cleverly demonstrates the potentially contradictory nature of our instincts and desires - here the narrator's character is hesitant and defensive at the prospect of embracing the unknown (and potentially leaving himself vulnerable - especially emotionally), however, underneath he truly wants to be able to open himself up, and cure his loneliness by striking up a relationship with this 'ghost'.
I won't patronise by quoting all the relevant lyrics and moments in the song to which I've referred to, I'm sure it's all obvious to you.
Anyway, love this song - musically very fun too.
"A friendly ghost, is all I need" seems to me to be a double-entendre, which can be interpreted in two completely different/opposing ways... It can either be seen as an unhappy person's negative reaction to an event they see as just another incident in their bad-luck streak. You know the old cliche "oh - that's all I need!"; resultingly, in this scenario, they are dismissing any personal desire to interact with the ghost (and would supposedly be happy if it tunred out that the ghost was in fact, not real). On the other hand, they seem to be openly longing - and potentially grateful for - any opportunity that life can offer them, including the strange situation they seem to have found themselves in (in this manner, they are hopeful the ghost is real). I like this, as he repeats this refrain throughout the song, and although the prospect of a ghost inhabiting his house is a scary and an unwanted proposition at first (and seemingly a nuisance), he grows steadily more curious and open to the idea (as is evident throughout the various verses of the song, as it progresses). I think this cleverly demonstrates the potentially contradictory nature of our instincts and desires - here the narrator's character is hesitant and defensive at the prospect of embracing the unknown (and potentially leaving himself vulnerable - especially emotionally), however, underneath he truly wants to be able to open himself up, and cure his loneliness by striking up a relationship with this 'ghost'. I won't patronise by quoting all the relevant lyrics and moments in the song to which I've referred to, I'm sure it's all obvious to you. Anyway, love this song - musically very fun too.