Ghosts That We Knew

Album: Babel (2012)
Charted: 88
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Mumford & Sons unveiled this song during a performance at Philadelphia station Radio 104.5 On October 29, 2011. It finds Marcus Mumford singing of a broken relationship that he hopes can be repaired: "But I will hope as long as you like, just promise me we'll be all right."
  • The song evolved as the result of the band performing it to audiences and tinkering with it afterward. "That one came together really on our Canadian tour about a month ago, the first time started playing it," multi-instrumentalist Winston Marshall told MTV News. "We tried recording it before, but it then took on a new life when we played it on that tour. ... [The songs] always change when we play them live; the dynamics change a lot. When you play it to a new room, you're playing it to new ears, and you're listening to the song through their ears. So it's really great to feel the song out."
  • "Ghosts" features an instrumentation of acoustic guitar, banjo and accordion and when performed live, it allows the band a chance to catch their collective breath. "It's fun to play ... it's a kind of respite for us to just stand back and play a slower song," Mumford told MTV News with a laugh. "It's nice: gives us a moment to take stock."

Comments: 1

  • Megan from Stevenson, AlChills...love these guys! <3
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Randy Houser

Randy HouserSongwriter Interviews

The "How Country Feels" singer talks Skynyrd and songwriting.

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.

Subversive Songs Used To Sell

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Krishna Das

Krishna DasSongwriter Interviews

The top chant artist in the Western world, Krishna Das talks about how these Hindu mantras compare to Christian worship songs.

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?Song Writing

A big list of musical marriages and family relations ranging from the simple to the truly dysfunctional.