Ghost Story (song)

"Ghost Story" is a song by American singer Carrie Underwood, released as the first single from her ninth studio album Denim & Rhinestones.[1] It is the only song from the album that Underwood did not have a hand in writing.[2] The song was released digitally on March 18, 2022.[3]

For other songs with the same name, see Ghost Story.
"Ghost Story"
Single by Carrie Underwood
from the album Denim & Rhinestones
ReleasedMarch 18, 2022 (2022-03-18)
GenreCountry pop
Length3:01
LabelCapitol Nashville
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Carrie Underwood
  • David Garcia
Carrie Underwood singles chronology
"If I Didn't Love You"
(2021)		 "Ghost Story"
(2022)		 "Hate My Heart"
(2022)
Music video
"Ghost Story" on YouTube

Writing and composition

"Ghost Story" was written by Josh Kear, Hillary Lindsey, and David Garcia.[4] Underwood said of the single, "Ghost Story is a thrilling, dramatic song that David, Hillary and Josh wrote for me. They are such talented, amazing songwriters who know me so well, and from the first time I heard it I knew I had to record it. I have always loved performing songs that tell a story and inspire some kind of cinematic imagery when you hear them, and that is definitely true of 'Ghost Story.' It creates a mood and a vibe that is different than anything else I've recorded before."[5]

The song is written in the key of G major and a 6/8 time signature. It has an approximate tempo of 48 beats per minute and a vocal range of E3 to D5. The song's main chord pattern on the verses is CMaj7-Asus2-Em-D.[6]

Critical reception

The Nash News gave a positive review of the song, writing, "One of Underwood’s strengths has been the storytelling within her songs...["Ghost Story"] is ethereal in style and vulnerable in message and it brings a new sound to the current radio climate.[7] Rolling Stone gave a positive review, praising its "slowed down, waltzing rhythm" and "eerie atmosphere", noting its departure from another of Underwood's breakup hits, "Before He Cheats".[8] Taste of Country praised Underwood's vocal performance, saying, "[she] belts emotively on the chorus, displaying her unbridled desire to hold her old flame captive" and calling the song "vividly-painted".[9]

Promotion

Underwood performed the song live for the first time at the 64th Grammy Awards, held in Las Vegas, on April 3, 2022.[10] The official lyric video was posted to YouTube on March 18, 2022.[11] She again performed the song live for the 2022 CMT Music Awards on April 11, while being suspended in the air.[12] She included "Ghost Story" as part of her set at Stagecoach Festival, along with "Denim and Rhinestones" and "Crazy Angels".[13] She performed it again at CMA Music Fest in June 2022.[14] When Apple Music debuted its Sessions EP feature in July, Underwood was the first artist featured; she performed three songs, including "Ghost Story" and "Blown Away."[15] She included it for the setlist during an iHeart concert special, which aired September 29.[16]

Commercial performance

"Ghost Story" marks Underwood's thirtieth top ten on the Country Airplay;[17] it also reached No. 61 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

Music video

The video for the song premiered on April 29, 2022.[18] The music video was filmed in the Los Angeles Theatre[19] and was directed by Randee St. Nicholas.[20] Underwood said of Nicholas, "I am very visually-oriented and from the first time I heard 'Ghost Story,' I had a vision for how I wanted to bring this song to life in performance and Randee always takes everything to a whole other artistic level beyond my own imagination." The male lead in the video is Craig Geoghan.[21] An alternate version of the video premiered in July.[22]

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[31] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. @carrieunderwood (April 7, 2022). "I can't wait any longer!! I have a new album coming June 10! Get ready for #DenimAndRhinestones! Pre-order beginning at midnight ET!" (Tweet). Retrieved April 8, 2022 – via Twitter.
  2. Dukes, Billy (April 8, 2022). "JUST IN: Carrie Underwood Drops 'Denim & Rhinestones' Track List". Taste of Country.
  3. DeSantis, Rachel (March 18, 2022). "Carrie Underwood Shares 'Thrilling, Dramatic' New Single 'Ghost Story': 'A Great Story Song'". people.com.
  4. Freeman, Jon (March 18, 2022). "Carrie Underwood Exacts Mental Revenge in New Song 'Ghost Story'". Rolling Stone.
  5. Major, Michael. "Carrie Underwood Releases New Single 'Ghost Story'". BroadwayWorld.com.
  6. "'Ghost Story' sheet music". MusicNotes.com. March 18, 2022. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  7. Janes, Lesley (March 18, 2022). "Carrie Underwood "Ghost Story" Song Review". The Nash News.
  8. "Carrie Underwood Exacts Mental Revenge in New Song 'Ghost Story'". Rolling Stone. March 18, 2022.
  9. Chua, Jeremy (March 18, 2022). "LISTEN: Carrie Underwood's 'Ghost Story' Is a Haunting Breakup Story". Taste of Country. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  10. "See Carrie Underwood Haunt the Grammys with Live Debut of 'Ghost Story'". Archived from the original on April 10, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  11. "Carrie Underwood is someone's 'Ghost Story' in new song". UPI. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  12. "Watch Carrie Underwood defy gravity in a dazzling aerial performance at CMT Awards". April 12, 2022.
  13. "Stagecoach 2022: Carrie Underwood and Guns N' Roses vocalist Axl Rose bring Day 2 to a rockin' close". Daily News. May 1, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  14. Paulson, Marcus K. Dowling, Rachel Wegner, Molly Davis, Matthew Leimkuehler and Dave. "CMA Fest updates: Carrie Underwood closes Saturday night with a Louisville Slugger". The Tennessean. Retrieved June 12, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. "Apple introduces Apple Music Sessions". Apple Newsroom. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  16. "Carrie Underwood Powerfully Performs Career-Spanning Hits In Unique VR Show". iHeartCountry Radio. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  17. "Carrie Underwood Hits Country Airplay Top 10 … with Help from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow". Billboard.
  18. "Carrie Underwood Posts Haunting Teaser Of Unreleased 'Ghost Story' Video". iHeart. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  19. JessJess (April 30, 2022). "WATCH: Carrie Underwood Haunts Old Flame in Theatrical 'Ghost Story' Video". Taste of Country. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  20. "WATCH: Carrie Underwood's 'Ghost Story' Music Video Is a Visual Masterpiece". Country Now. April 30, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  21. "Who Is The Actor In Carrie Underwood's "Ghost Story" Music Video? Meet Craig Geoghan". Music Mayhem Magazine. May 9, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  22. "Carrie Underwood's Cinematic 'Ghost Story' Video Gets Alternate Version: 'How Many Differences Can You Spot?'". iHeartCountry Radio. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  23. "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  24. "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  25. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  26. "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  27. "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  28. "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  29. "Country Airplay – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  30. "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  31. "American single certifications – Carrie Underwood – Ghost Story". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
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