"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]

"I Need a Ghost"
I Need a Ghost Single Artwork
Single by Brandon Lake
from the album House of Miracles
ReleasedJuly 24, 2020 (2020-07-24)
Recorded2020
Genre
Length3:39
LabelBethel Music
Songwriter(s)
  • Joshua Silverberg
  • Brandon Lake
Producer(s)David Leonard
Brandon Lake singles chronology
"Battle Is the Lord's"
(2020)
"I Need a Ghost"
(2020)
"Graves into Gardens"
(2020)
Music videos
"I Need a Ghost" on YouTube
"I Need a Ghost" (Acoustic) on YouTube

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

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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. It’s 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 I’ve 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

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"I Need a Ghost" is a rock song,[9] composed in the key of F♯ minor with a tempo of 74 beats per minute and a musical time signature of 4
4
.[10]

Accolades

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Awards
Year Organization Award Result Ref
2021 GMA Dove Awards Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year Nominated [11]

Commercial performance

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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

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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]

Charts

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Chart (2020-21) Peak
position
US Christian Airplay (Billboard)[4] 27
US Christian Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[5] 5

Release history

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Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various July 24, 2020 Bethel Music [17]

References

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  1. ^ Clarks, Jessie (July 24, 2020). "Bethel Music's Brandon Lake Steps into the Solo Spotlight with "I Need a Ghost"". The Christian Beat. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  2. ^ "I Need A Ghost | Chords, Lyrics and Sheet Music | SongSelect®". SongSelect. CCLI. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  3. ^ "Bethel Music's Brandon Lake Steps into the Solo Spotlight with "I Need a Ghost" : News : JubileeCast". JubileeCast. July 25, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Brandon Lake Chart History (Christian Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Brandon Lake Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Christian Digital Song Sales Chart. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  6. ^ "Brandon Lake steps into solo spotlight with 'I Need A Ghost'". Niagara Frontier Publications. July 24, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  7. ^ "JFH News: Brandon Lake Steps into Solo Spotlight with "I Need a Ghost"". Jesus Freak Hideout. July 24, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  8. ^ Schoonhoven, Tess (August 14, 2020). "Brandon Lake of Bethel Music Collective Discusses Inspiration Behind Solo Effort, "I Need a Ghost"". American Songwriter. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  9. ^ Andre, Joshua (September 9, 2020). "Brandon Lake – House Of Miracles | 365 Days of Inspiring Media". 365 Days of Inspiring Media. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  10. ^ "I Need a Ghost by Brandon Lake". MultiTracks. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  11. ^ Grein, Paul (August 11, 2021). "2021 GMA Dove Award Nominees: Full List | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  12. ^ "Christian Digital Song Sales Chart | Billboard". Billboard. Hot Christian Songs. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. August 4, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  13. ^ "I Need A Ghost - Brandon Lake | House of Miracles [Official Music Video] - YouTube". YouTube. YouTube, LLC. July 24, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  14. ^ "I Need A Ghost (Acoustic) - Brandon Lake - YouTube". YouTube. YouTube, LLC. July 31, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  15. ^ Clarks, Jessie (July 31, 2020). "Brandon Lake Drops Acoustic Version Of "I Need A Ghost"". The Christian Beat. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  16. ^ "I Need A Ghost - Brandon Lake | House of Miracles - YouTube". YouTube. YouTube, LLC. August 28, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  17. ^ "I Need a Ghost - Single by Brandon Lake on Apple Music". Apple Music. United States. Apple Inc. July 24, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
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