Ghosting

On most sites where I have read these interpretations, it seems as though everyone believes this song is a love song. Everyone seems to share the belief that the singer is sort of confessing his love in this song. I have a completely different view of this song. Could be totally wrong but I'm going to give it a shot..

Okay, so he makes it clear he has been "ghosting." Ghosts, are invisible; therefore, he feels invisible. He says that he is going to come out of hiding. I think if you relate this to all of Mother Mother's other songs, he means he's going to stop pretending that he fits in. Sort of like he plans to stop acting civil. He clearly disagrees with society (as noted in the song The Stand), and is always mentioning in his songs how he wants to get away from all the "la di da" or "people on the ground." He has had enough of it all, and wants to show this to everyone.

I don't feel as though the song is targeted towards a specific loved one, I feel like it is focused towards everyone in his life, or even society alone. Every time he says "you" i believe he is targeting a group of people rather than just one person alone.

When he says "I remember the days when I'd make you oh, so afraid," I think it is a metaphor for the days when he used to make a difference, or used to conform to society. Now, he is just a ghost who doesn't fit in because he sees life and society far differently than most people do.

When the song says, "Hey, would it be so bad if I stayed I'm just a ghost out of his grave And I can't make love in my grave I won't put white into your hair I won't make noises in your stairs I will be kind and I will be sweet If you stop staring straight through me" I believe he is talking to everyone. Saying like hey, if you notice me and don't just stare through me, you might see that I'm actually a good person.

Mother Mother appear different from most people in today's society (in a good way). However, their interesting style might make them appear less approachable. Some people (actually most people) are very quick to judge. Therefore, they maybe don't actually take the chance to get to know any people who don't dress or act the same as themselves. Speaking from experience, I used to be really quick to judge people. Then, I went to college. I have got to know some really great people who do not dress or act the same way as I do. However, I've realized that doesn't matter and that I shouldn't have been so judgmental in the past because I probably missed out on getting to know some really fantastic people at my high school.

Back on topic, because Mother Mother do appear differently than your typical citizen (again, in a good way. They seriously have style), some might be quick to judge them. Which has left them feeling like ghosts. I think this song is a cry for help. They want to be loved and noticed by the people in their lives.

As for the tricks and treats aspect of the song.. Your don't need treats. You don't need to be bribed with good things. Good things should come as a result of following your own beliefs and doing your own thing. Kinda like the song is telling you to be you, and don't change who you are to be rewarded with "treats"

You don't need tricks. You don't need to be tricked into believing certain things. Your teachers, parents, and peers will all have their beliefs and they may try to raise you a certain way. They try to get you to believe the things they do. However, you learn from your own experience, you don't need to be tricked.

You don't need Halloween. On Halloween, people dress up in costumes. I think the idea here is that you don't need people who are pretending to be something they aren't. Main idea is to just be you.

You don't need me. I feel like he thinks of himself as insignificant, doesn't believe he makes a difference in anyone's life because he is a "ghost."

I do feel as though he is speaking from his own experience of being invisible. He is saying it is better to stand up for your own beliefs and be invisible then it is to pretend all the time. I think he is trying to reach out to others, let them know that there are people out there who don't agree with society and telling the people who are pretending to fit in to just be themselves and come out of hiding. Because that is what he is doing.. through his music.

Wow, sorry for the length, I just really love this song. :)