Two Ghosts

Album: Harry Styles (2017)
Charted: 58
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the only song on Harry Styles' debut solo album that he didn't pen during his 2016 songwriting stay in Jamaica. Instead, he told the attendees at the record's listening party, it was written a couple of years before.
  • As soon as this song was made available listeners began to suggest the lyrics are about the breakdown of Harry Styles' brief relationship with Taylor Swift in early 2013.

    Same lips red, same eyes blue
    Same white shirt, couple more tattoos


    Taylor Swift has a famous penchant for red lipstick and the "white shirt" may reference lyrics in her song "Style" about their fling, where she sings about a "white T-shirt."
  • When asked by Nick Grimshaw on his BBC Radio 1 show on May 12, 2017 whether the song is about Taylor Swift, Harry Styles replied: "I mean I think it's pretty like self-explanatory. I think, y'know it's about sometimes things change and you can do all the same things… and sometimes it's just different, y'know."

    The DJ then played the track, introducing it with: "So here we go, the one about Taylor Swift." Listeners then heard Styles scream "Ahhh, oh no!" in response.
  • Harry Styles originally wrote this ballad for One Direction's Made in the A.M. album, but it was felt the lyrics were a bit too personal.

Comments: 3

  • Bee from SydneyPhenomenal that Harry can write a song referencing someone with blue eyes and tattoos during a period where he and Louis had to become ghosts to each other in public, and some geniuses still think it's about Taylor Swift. Because she's the only person in the world who has red lips? White shirt? He and Louis also shared a white shirt many times.
    Btw, you're misrepresenting his 'ah no' in response to Nick. It was more like 'AAAH! NO!' Because it is not about Taylor. He's not going to straight up tell you that, but he said 'no' as best he can. And it's obvious. Just like Haylor was one of the most obvious PR stunts of all time.
  • J M from Canadathe song is about Louis Tomlinson ...Taylor Swift doesn't have a tattoo
  • Mathilde from FranceIt's about Louis Tomlinson.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.