Wikipedia

The Ghosts of Beverly Drive

"The Ghosts of Beverly Drive" is a song by American indie rock band Death Cab for Cutie. It is the second single from their eighth studio album Kintsugi.

"The Ghosts of Beverly Drive"
Single by Death Cab for Cutie
from the album Kintsugi
ReleasedMarch 9, 2015
Genre
Length4:04
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)Ben Gibbard
Producer(s)Rich Costey
Death Cab for Cutie singles chronology
"Black Sun"
(2015) 		"The Ghosts of Beverly Drive"
(2015) 		"Good Help (Is So Hard to Find)"
(2016)

Background edit

"The Ghosts of Beverly Drive" deals with the specters remaining from Gibbard's ill-fated stint living in Los Angeles between 2009 and 2011,[3] and more directly, his marriage and divorce from actress Zooey Deschanel.[4][5] In the song's chorus, Gibbard finds himself "return[ing] to the scene of these crimes, where the hedgerows slowly wind."[2]

Music video edit

The song's music video was directed by Robert Hales. In the in black and white shot clip,[6] the members of the band play employees of a celebrity tour bus company in Los Angeles, cruising tourists around the city's ritziest neighborhoods in search of stars.[7][8] Hales took several star tours as research for the role, and based several moments, such as the scene in which the band are sprayed with a hose, from real moments. James Montgomery at Rolling Stone wrote that the video "explore[s] the sense of separation that's so prevalent in a city like Los Angeles, where societal divides are often as apparent as the ivy-covered walls surrounding a Bel-Air mansion."[9]

Release edit

The band debuted the song in live performances leading up to release of Kintsugi.[10] Its studio version premiered on March 9, 2015.[11] The band promoted the song and album with a performance on the late-night program Conan.[12]

Evan Sawdey at PopMatters praised its energy,[13] while Colin Stutz at Billboard called the song "a moving number from the band that’s no stranger to literary lyrics, as frontman Ben Gibbard leads listeners along a winding metaphor propped up by lush production."[14]

Charts edit

Weekly charts edit

Chart (2015) Peak
position
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[15] 3
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[16] 15
Canada Rock (Billboard)[17] 31
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[18] 4
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[19] 21

Year-end charts edit

Chart (2015) Position
US Rock Airplay Songs (Billboard)[20] 38
Chart (2016) Position
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[21] 97
US Rock Airplay Songs (Billboard)[22] 31

References edit

  1. ^ "Death Cab for Cutie - The Ghosts of Beverly Drive Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. March 10, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Review: Death Cab for Cutie returns to an L.A. that almost broke them". Los Angeles Times. July 13, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  3. ^ Payne, Chris (January 12, 2015). "Death Cab For Cutie Announces New Album, Moves on Without Chris Walla". Billboard. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  4. ^ White, Caitlin (June 15, 2015). "Death Cab For Cutie – "The Ghosts Of Beverly Drive" Video". Stereogum. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  5. ^ Partridge, Kenneth (April 3, 2015). "Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard Opens Up About Ex Zooey Deschanel, Celebrity 'Psychoses' and Why the Band Is in a 'Sweet Spot'". Billboard. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  6. ^ Ezell, Brice (June 16, 2015). "Death Cab for Cutie – "The Ghosts of Beverly Drive" (video), PopMatters". PopMatters. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  7. ^ Brodsky, Rachel (June 15, 2015). "Death Cab for Cutie Tour Los Angeles in 'The Ghosts of Beverly Drive' Video". SPIN. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  8. ^ Ladzinski, Alyssa (June 16, 2015). "Death Cab for Cutie Takes a Creepy L.A. Tour for 'The Ghosts of Beverly Drive' [WATCH]". Music Times. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  9. ^ Montgomery, James (June 15, 2015). "Watch Death Cab for Cutie's 'Ghosts of Beverly Drive' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  10. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (January 29, 2015). "Death Cab For Cutie Performs New Songs, Reveals Madison Square Garden Booking at Brooklyn Show". Billboard. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  11. ^ "Death Cab for Cutie Share "The Ghosts of Beverly Drive"". Pitchfork. March 9, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  12. ^ Unterberger, Andrew (July 14, 2015). "Death Cab for Cutie Bring 'The Ghosts of Beverly Drive' to 'Conan'". SPIN. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  13. ^ Sawdey, Evan (March 31, 2015). "Death Cab for Cutie: Kintsugi, PopMatters". PopMatters. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  14. ^ Stutz, Colin (March 9, 2015). "Listen to Death Cab for Cutie's New Song 'The Ghosts of Beverly Drive'". Billboard. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  15. ^ "Death Cab for Cutie Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  16. ^ "Death Cab for Cutie Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  17. ^ "Death Cab for Cutie Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  18. ^ "Death Cab for Cutie Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  19. ^ "Death Cab for Cutie Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  20. ^ "Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2015". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  21. ^ "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  22. ^ "Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2018.

External links edit


 

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