Ghost in the Machine (song)

"Ghost in the Machine" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA from her second studio album, SOS (2022), featuring guest vocals by singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers.

This article is about the SZA song. For other songs of the same name, see Ghost in the Machine (disambiguation) § Songs.

"Ghost in the Machine"
Song by SZA featuring Phoebe Bridgers
from the album SOS
ReleasedDecember 9, 2022 (2022-12-09)
Genre
Length3:38
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Teo Halm
  • Michael Uzowuru
  • Rob Bisel
Lyric video
"Ghost in the Machine" on YouTube

Background

SZA released her debut studio album, Ctrl, in 2017. Primarily an R&B album that deals with themes like heartbreak, it received widespread acclaim for its vocals and eclectic musical style, as well as the emotional impact and confessional nature of its songwriting. The album brought SZA to mainstream fame, and critics credit it with establishing her status as a major figure in contemporary pop and R&B music and pushing the boundaries of the R&B genre.[note 1]

From April to May 2022, SZA told media outlets that she had recently finished the album in Hawaii and said that it was coming soon.[7] Wanting to experiment with genres she had not yet incorporated in her discography, she envisioned it to be an amalgamation of various disparate musical styles, or in her words, "a little bit of everything". While some tracks had an "aggressive" sound, certain others were balladic, soft, or heartfelt.[8] Apart from the "traditional" R&B that had been a staple of SZA's past works, the album also contained prominent elements of "acoustic singer-songwriter" music.[1][9]

During the build-up to the album's release, SZA created a list of possible collaborators for the album. The roster ranged from Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, and Olivia Rodrigo; to Doja Cat, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar.[10] Of the several artists she contacted for the album, only three people sent their verses: Don Toliver, Travis Scott, and Phoebe Bridgers.[11] Toliver and Scott appear in the tracks "Used" and "Open Arms",[note 2] respectively, while Bridgers contributed vocals for "Ghost in the Machine".[12][13]

Phoebe Bridgers performing in Minneapolis (2021)
SZA performing in Ctrl the Tour (2017–2018)
Phoebe Bridgers (left) collaborated with SZA (right) for "Ghost in the Machine".

Release and reception

During a Billboard cover story published in November 2022, SZA revealed the album title, as well as the release date which was scheduled sometime next month.[14] She posted the album's track list on Twitter on December 5, and SOS was released four days later. Out of 23 songs, "Ghost in the Machine" appears as the twelfth track.[15][16] It peaked at number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100,[17] Bridgers' first top 40 song in the United States,[18] and appeared in national charts for Canada, Australia, and Portugal.[note 3] On the Billboard Global 200, the song peaked at number 52.[19] "Ghost in the Machine" had its live performance debut on March 4, 2023, at the Madison Square Garden in New York City as part of a North American tour in support of SOS. Bridgers appeared as the concert's surprise guest, who joined SZA in performing her verse.[20][21]

Charts
Chart performance for "Ghost in the Machine"
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[22] 72
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[23] 51
Global 200 (Billboard)[19] 67
Portugal (AFP)[24] 121
UK Audio Streaming (OCC)[25] 96
US Billboard Hot 100[17] 40
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[26] 24

Certifications
Certifications for "Ghost in the Machine"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[27] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Notes
  1. Cited to Vulture,[2] The Line of Best Fit,[3] NME,[4] The Daily Telegraph,[5] and Consequence.[6]
  2. Also in "Low" as background vocals
  3. See the charts section for the exact peaks.

References
  1. Phan, Karena (December 9, 2022). "Review: SZA's Perfection Takes Time in Second Album SOS". Associated Press. Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  2. Curto, Justin (December 9, 2022). "SZA Finally Unleashed Her Inner Rock Star". Vulture. Archived from the original on December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  3. Taylor, Ims (December 9, 2022). "SZA Hits the Heights on the Dense but Masterful SOS". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on December 19, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  4. Daly, Rhian (December 9, 2022). "SZA – SOS Review: A Comeback Album Well Worth the Wait". NME. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  5. McCormick, Neil; Haider, Arwa; Johnston, Kathleen (December 9, 2022). "Sam Ryder Is No One-Hit Wonder, SZA Channels Princess Diana – The Week's Best Albums". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on December 17, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  6. Siregar, Cady (December 9, 2022). "On SOS, SZA Once Again Blows Expectations Out of the Water". Consequence. Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  7. Kenneally, Cerys (April 4, 2022). "SZA Says New Album Is 'Finished' and Describes It as Her 'Most Unisex' Project Yet". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  8. Blake, Cole (October 16, 2022). "SZA Confirms 'Shirt' Music Video Is on the Way: 'It's Turned In'". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  9. Wang, Steffanee (December 10, 2022). "SZA's SOS in 5 Essential Songs". Nylon. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  10. Shutler, Ali (December 17, 2022). "SZA's SOS Could Have Featured Harry Styles, Billie Eilish and More". NME. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  11. Paul, Larisha (December 7, 2022). "SZA Says New Album S.O.S. Almost Featured More Artist Collaborations — But They Ghosted Her". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 8, 2023. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  12. Guy, Zoe (December 9, 2022). "SZA Blesses Us with SOS This Holiday Season". Vulture. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  13. Jenkins, Craig (December 12, 2022). "SZA Wants It All". Vulture. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  14. Serrano, Athena (November 16, 2022). "SZA Is 'Currently Stressed' About Releasing New Album S.O.S.". MTV News. Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  15. Curto, Justin (December 5, 2022). "SZA Puts Fans on Alert, Announces New Album S.O.S". Vulture. Archived from the original on December 19, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  16. Paul, Larisha (December 5, 2022). "SZA Taps Phoebe Bridgers, Travis Scott for S.O.S Album". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  17. "SZA Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  18. Zellner, Xander (December 20, 2022). "SZA Debuts 20 Songs from SOS on Hot 100, Rules Artist 100 for First Time". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
  19. "SZA Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  20. Legaspi, Althea (March 5, 2023). "Watch Phoebe Bridgers, Cardi B Join SZA for Madison Square Garden Performance". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  21. "Watch Phoebe Bridgers and Cardi B Join SZA at MSG". Pitchfork. March 5, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  22. "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 19 December 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1711. Australian Recording Industry Association. December 19, 2022. p. 4.
  23. "SZA Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  24. "SZA feat. Phoebe Bridgers – Ghost in the Machine". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  25. "Official Audio Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  26. "SZA Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  27. "American single certifications – SZA feat. Phoebe Bridgers – Ghost in the Machine". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
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