Why It Matters

The photo above was taken by grandfather during World War II. If not for the fact that he appears as one of the ghost images, I would wonder if he made this double exposure intentionally. I don’t know much about my granddad, but I know that he enjoyed photography. It’s not hard for me to believe that he’d create such an image to pay homage to lost friends.

That’s what most ghost stories are, after all: works of art created by people processing their grief. It’s hard to let go–so hard sometimes that we simply don’t do it. Instead, we imagine the spirits of our friends and family remain with us long after their bodies are gone.

Anyway, that’s all way too heavy for Halloween ghosts. Those guys are of the “Boo” and “I got a rock” variety, so enough with the ruminations on mortality and let’s get to the songs (and Happy Halloween).

“Ghost,” Neutral Milk Hotel.

“Ghost Train,” Elvis Costello.

“Little Ghost,” The White Stripes.

“The Ghost of Tom Joad,” Rage Against the Machine.

“The Ghost In You,” Siouxsie and the Banshees.

“Elephant Ghost,” Colonel Claypool’s Bucket of Bernie Brains.

“Ghost Clinic,” The Fuzztones.

“Ghost Dancing,” Simple Minds.

There you have it: Eight songs about groovy ghoulies, and not one by the Groovie Ghoolies. And if you’re still haunted by ghost songs, here’s eight more. What did I miss? I’m listening.