"Ghost" is the debut single by British singer and songwriterElla Henderson. It was released on 8 June 2014 as the lead single from her debut studio album,Chapter One (2014). Henderson co-wrote the song with Kenan Williams[2] and its producers,Ryan Tedder andNoel Zancanella.
The music video was filmed inNew Orleans,Louisiana in March 2014. The song entered at number one on theUK Singles Chart, as well as in the Republic of Ireland. It has also peaked within the top ten of the charts in Australia, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, Poland, New Zealand and South Africa.
Since its release, the song has sold over 1.8 million copies in the UK and in excess of one million in the US. It was also the sixth best-selling single of 2014 in the UK.[3] It served as the main song in the romantic comedyMy Dead Tinder Match. On 23 November 2020,Ghost has reached 100 million views onYouTube, being her first video to achieve that milestone.
On 18 November 2012, Henderson finished in sixth place on theninth series ofThe X Factor, despite being the favourite to win.[4] On 15 December, whilst being interviewed onThe Saturday Night Show in Ireland, she revealed that she had signed a record deal withSony Music.[5] On 22 January 2013, Henderson confirmed she had signed toSimon Cowell's record labelSyco Music.[6] Regarding her decision to sign with Syco, Henderson said, "The most important thing I was looking for was to be involved creatively, and which label presents me with the best team to bring the best out of me. The fact thatCowell is letting me be involved creatively is overwhelming."[7]
"Ghost" was co-written by Henderson, Kenan Williams,[2]OneRepublic frontmanRyan Tedder and record producerNoel Zancanella and produced by Tedder and Zancanella. The song was recorded at Tedder's recording studio inDenver by Smith Carlson on 12 January 2014, Henderson's 18th birthday.[8] In March 2014, Henderson announced that it would be her debut single,[9] and released on 8 June 2014.[10] The song received its debut radio airplay onCapital FM on 10 May 2014.[11] The song is played in the key ofA major.[12]
Lewis Corner ofDigital Spy gave the song a positive review, stating:
"The end result, Ella's first single 'Ghost', would make a worthy winner's launch, let alone someone who fell victim to the mid-series shock elimination. "I keep going to the river to pray/ 'Cos I need something that can wash out the pain," Henderson professes over stomping Americana-folk beats and taut guitar twangs, falling somewhere between the rootsy heart ofAdele and the pop sensibility ofLeona Lewis. It's dark, it's brooding and it's full of pain, but most importantly for Ella's concerns, it's an unforgettable debut."[13]
"Ghost" was commercially successful, entering at number one on theUK Singles Chart on 15 June, selling 132,000 copies in its first week on sale.[14] The song remained number one in the UK for a second week, outselling5 Seconds of Summer's "Don't Stop" by 3,000 copies.[15] The single has been certified triple Platinum by theBPI for sales and streams of over 1,800,000 units in the UK. It was the sixth best-selling song of 2014 in the UK, selling 750,000 copies.[3]
In the Republic of Ireland, the song debuted at the top of theIrish Singles Chart. It has also charted in the top 10 of the singles charts in Australia, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, New Zealand, Poland, Switzerland and South Africa.
"Ghost" debuted at number 75 onBillboard Hot 100. On the week ending January 24, 2015, the song jumped from number 41 to number 28. On the following week, it jumped to number 22[16] and rose from number 14 to number 10 onHot Digital Songs and became her first top 10. As of January 31, 2015, it has sold over 1,000,000 copies in the US alone. The song peaked at number 11 on USMainstream Top 40.
The official music video was filmed inNew Orleans,Louisiana on 10 March 2014, directed by Charles Mehling.[10] The video was released toYouTube on 23 April 2014.[17] The video shows Henderson performing the track in a red-lit motel. All the while, an escaped convict accused of murder goes to confront the actual killer at the motel.[18][citation needed]
Another video was released for the Switch remix of the song on 14 April 2014.[19] This video, directed by Jem Talbot, features a young woman (played by Samara Zwain) exploring an empty house and reminiscing on a relationship.[20]
On 26 May 2014, Henderson performed "Ghost" for the first time on the first live semi-final ofBritain's Got Talent.[21] She also performed an acoustic cover for4Music.[22] Henderson also performed the song at theCapitalSummertime Ball on 22 June. Henderson made her American television debut on 6 August as she performed "Ghost" onGood Morning America.[23] She later made her Australian television debut on 18 August when she sang the song onThe X Factor Australia.[24] Henderson has also performed the song onDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. Henderson also performed the song on the 14 February 2015 at the NBA All-Stars weekend.
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. † Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: insert 20151 into search.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201444 into search.
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