"I Need a Ghost" is a song by Brandon Lake, which was released as the lead single from his second studio album, House of Miracles (2020), on July 24, 2020.[1] Lake co-wrote the song with Joshua Silverberg.[2] David Leonard worked on the production of the single.[3]
The song peaked at No. 27 on the US Christian Airplay chart,[4] and at No. 5 on the US Christian Digital Song Sales chart.[5] "I Need a Ghost" received a nomination for the GMA Dove Award Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year at the 2021 GMA Dove Awards.
Background
On July 24, 2020, Lake released a new single titled "I Need a Ghost", as the lead single to his second studio album, House of Miracles, slated to be released in summer.[6] Lake shared the story behind the song,[7] saying
It was dropped into my spirit as I was sitting in my car and I wrote the entire song without an instrument. Itโs an honest reflection of what I was feeling and wanted to say in that moment. You can look to a lot of things in this world to fill a void or be entertained, but the Holy Ghost is where we find true relationship. When Jesus left this earth He gave us His Spirit, and if Iโve received that gift, I can look inward to find what I need.
In an interview with American Songwriter, Lake stated that the instrumentation of "I Need a Ghost" points to multi-faceted dynamic of a relationship with God, with the song demonstrating the "rowdy side" of worship.[8]
Composition
"I Need a Ghost" is a rock song,[9] composed in the key of Fโฏ minor with a tempo of 74 beats per minute and a musical time signature of 4 4.[10]
In the United States, "I Need a Ghost" made its debut at No. 5 on Billboard's Christian Digital Song Sales chart dated August 8, 2020.[12]
Music videos
Bethel Music released the official music video of "I Need a Ghost" which was directed by filmmaker Mait Hudson, with Brandon Lake singing the song through their YouTube channel on October 27, 2020.[13] On July 31, 2020, Bethel Music published the acoustic performance video of the song on YouTube.[14][15] The official audio video of the song was uploaded by Bethel Music to YouTube on August 28, 2020.[16]