Ghost (Ella Henderson song)

"Ghost"
Single by Ella Henderson
from the album Chapter One
Released 6 June 2014
Format
Recorded 12 January 2014
(Denver, Colorado, U.S.)
Genre Pop
Length 3:36
Label Syco
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
  • Ryan Tedder
  • Noel Zancanella
Ella Henderson singles chronology
  • "Ghost"
  • (2014)

"Ghost" is the debut single by British singer Ella 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[1] and its producers, Ryan Tedder and Noel Zancanella.

The music video was filmed in New Orleans, Louisiana in March 2014. The song entered at number one on the UK Singles Chart, as well as in the Republic of Ireland. It has also peaked within the top ten of the charts in Australia, Belgium, Germany, Hungary and New Zealand. Since its release, it has sold over 750,000 copies in the UK and in excess of 1 million in the US. It was also the fifth best-selling single of 2014 in the UK.[2]

Background and recording

On 18 November 2012, Henderson finished in sixth place on ninth series The X Factor, despite being the favourite to win.[3] On 15 December, whilst being interviewed on The Saturday Night Show in Ireland, she revealed that she had signed a record deal with Sony Music.[4] On 22 January 2013, Henderson confirmed she had signed to Simon Cowell's record label Syco Music.[5] 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 that Cowell is letting me be involved creatively is overwhelming."[6]

"Ghost" was co-written by Henderson, Kenan Williams*,[1] OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder, and record producer Noel Zancanella, and produced by Tedder and Zancanella. The song was recorded at Tedder's recording studio in Denver by Smith Carlson on 12 January 2014, Henderson's 18th birthday.[7] In March 2014, Henderson announced that it would be her debut single,[8] and released on 8 June 2014.[9] The song received its debut radio airplay on Capital FM on 10 May 2014.[10]

Critical reception

Lewis Corner of Digital 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 of Adele and the pop sensibility of Leona 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." [11]

Chart performance

"Ghost" was commercially successful, entering at number one on the UK Singles Chart on 15 June, selling 132,000 copies in its first week on sale.[12] The song remained number one in the UK for a second week, outselling 5 Seconds of Summer's "Don't Stop" by 3,000 copies.[13] The single has been certified Platinum by the BPI for sales of over 600,000 copies in the UK. It was the sixth best-selling song of 2014 in the UK, selling 750,000 copies.[2]

In the Republic of Ireland, the song debuted at the top of the Irish Singles Chart. It has also charted in the top 10 of the singles charts in Australia, Belgium, Germany, Hungary and New Zealand.

"Ghost" debuted at number 75 on Billboard 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[14] and rose from number 14 to number 10 on Hot 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 14 on US Mainstream Top 40.

Music videos

The official music video was filmed in New Orleans, Louisiana on 10 March 2014.[9] The video was released to YouTube on 23 April 2014.[15] The video shows Henderson performing the track in a red-lit motel.[16]

Another video was released for the Switch remix of the song on 14 April 2014.[17] This video, directed by Jem Talbot, features a young woman (played by Samara Zwain) exploring an empty house and reminiscing on a relationship.[18]

Live performances

On 26 May 2014, Henderson performed "Ghost" for the first time on the first live semi-final of Britain's Got Talent.[19] She also performed an acoustic cover for 4Music.[20] Henderson also performed the song at the Capital Summertime Ball on 22 June. Henderson made her American television debut on 6 August as she performed "Ghost" on Good Morning America.[21] She later made her Australian television debut on 18 August when she sang the song on The X Factor Australia.[22] Henderson has also performed the song on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. Henderson also performed the song on the 14 February 2015 at the NBA All-Stars weekend.

It has also been performed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and The Voice in both the US and Germany. The song was covered three times by contestants on her origin show, The X Factor, in series 11—firstly by Only The Young at judges' house's, next by Paul Akister in the first live performance by a contestant in that series, and then by Andrea Faustini, who sang the song with Henderson in the celebrity duets round of the final.

Track listing

Digital download - Single[23]
No. Title Length
1. "Ghost"   3:36
CD single
No. Title Length
1. "Ghost"   3:36
2. "Ghost" (Switch Remix Radio Edit) 3:40
Digital download - Remixes[24]
No. Title Length
1. "Ghost" (Switch Remix Radio Edit) 3:40
2. "Ghost" (Kastle Remix Radio Edit) 3:36
3. "Ghost" (Oliver Nelson Remix) 5:04

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (2014–15) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[25] 3
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[26] 2
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[27] 28
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[28] 12
Canada AC (Billboard)[29] 9
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[30] 21
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[31] 9
Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[32] 8
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[33] 9
Denmark (Tracklisten)[34] 15
Europe (Euro Digital Songs)[35] 1
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[36] 20
Germany (Media Control Charts)[37] 3
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[38] 3
Hungary (Single Top 40)[39] 6
Iceland (Tonlist)[35] 16
Ireland (IRMA)[40] 1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[41] 37
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[42] 32
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[43] 4
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 20)[44] 8
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[45] 1
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[46] 3
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[47] 13
South Africa (EMA)[48] 8
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[49] 11
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[50] 10
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[51] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[52] 21
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[53] 15
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[54] 5
US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[55] 20
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[56] 11

Year-end charts

Chart (2014) Position
Australia (ARIA)[57] 31
Germany (Media Control Charts)[58] 37
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[59] 33
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[2] 6

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Australia (ARIA)[60] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Germany (BVMI)[61] Gold 200,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[62] Platinum 15,000*
Sweden (GLF)[63] Gold 20,000x
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[64] Gold 15,000x
United Kingdom (BPI)[65] Platinum 757,000[2]
United States (RIAA)[66] Platinum 1,000,000*
Streaming
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[67] Platinum 2,600,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone

Release history

Country Date Format Label
Austria[68] 6 June 2014 Digital download Syco Music
Germany[68]
Ireland[23][24]
Switzerland[68]
United Kingdom[23][24] 8 June 2014
France[69] 9 June 2014
Spain[70]
Italy[71] 10 June 2014 Digital download
Italy[72] 25 July 2014 Contemporary hit radio Sony Music Italy
United States[73] 29 July 2014 Digital download Columbia Records
Austria[74] 29 August 2014 CD single Syco Music
Germany[74]
Switzerland[74]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Ella Henderson's "Ghost" Arrives at US Pop Radio". Headline Planet.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Copsey, Rob (31 December 2014). "The Official Top 100 Biggest Songs of 2014 revealed". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  3. ↑ Rigby, Sam (18 November 2012). "Ella Henderson leaves 'The X Factor'". Digital Spy (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  4. ↑ Wilde, Joe (16 December 2012). "Ella Henderson Signs Recording Deal With Sony Music, Promises: "This Is Just The Beginning"". contactmusic.com. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  5. ↑ Hind, Katie (9 January 2013). "I've got the new 'Adella': Simon Cowell wins fight to sign X Factor's Ella Henderson". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  6. ↑ Foster, Alistair (23 January 2013). "Ella Henderson: I signed with Simon Cowell after he put me in control". London Evening Standard (Daily Mail and General Trust). Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  7. ↑ Harvey, Gill (6 June 2014). "Ella Henderson marked 18th birthday by writing Ghost with Ryan Tedder". STV. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  8. ↑ "X Factor's Ella Henderson announces début single". RTÉ.ie. 10 March 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Moss, Liv (15 April 2014). "Ella Henderson unveils artwork for new single, Ghost". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  10. ↑ "Ella Henderson's debut single Ghost is played on Capital Radio". Grimsby Telegraph. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  11. ↑ Corner, Lewis (6 June 2014). "Ella Henderson: 'Ghost' single review - 'An unforgettable debut' - Music Review". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  12. ↑ Lane, Daniel (15 June 2014). "Ella Henderson's Ghost debuts at Number 1 with spooktacular sales". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  13. ↑ Alexander, Susannah (22 June 2014). "Ella Henderson holds on to No.1 single, pushes 5SOS into second". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  14. ↑ "The Hot 100 – Week of January 10, 2015". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  15. ↑ "Ella Henderson - Ghost (Official Video)". YouTube.
  16. ↑ Corner, Lewis (23 April 2014). "Ella Henderson unveils debut single 'Ghost' - watch the music video". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  17. ↑ "Ella Henderson - Ghost (Switch Remix)". YouTube. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  18. ↑ Brown, Jimmy (14 April 2014). "Ella Henderson 'Ghost (Switch Remix) by Jem Talbot". Promonews.tv. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  19. ↑ Wilson, Jess (26 May 2014). "Ella Henderson makes comeback on BGT semi-final". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  20. ↑ "This Week's Fresh Music Top 20". 15 June 2014. 4Music. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. ↑ Smith, Carl (7 August 2014). "Ella Henderson heads Stateside to perform 'Ghost' on Good Morning America - Watch". sugarscape.com. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  22. ↑ Best, R (13 August 2014). "Ella Henderson to visit Australia for a promotional tour!". Spotlight Report. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 "iTunes - Music - Ghost - Single by Ella Henderson". iTunes.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 "iTunes - Music - Ghost (Remixes) - Single by Ella Henderson". iTunes.
  25. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Ella Henderson – Ghost". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  26. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Ella Henderson – Ghost" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  27. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Ella Henderson – Ghost" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  28. ↑ "Ella Henderson – Chart history: Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  29. ↑ "Ella Henderson – Chart history: Canada AC". Billboard. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  30. ↑ "Ella Henderson – Chart history: Canada CHR/Top 40". Billboard. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  31. ↑ "Ella Henderson – Chart history: Canada Hot AC". Billboard. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  32. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201447 into search.
  33. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201442 into search.
  34. ↑ "Danishcharts.com – Ella Henderson – Ghost". Tracklisten.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 "Euro Digital Songs – Week Ending 22 June 2014". Billboard. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  36. ↑ "Ella Henderson: Ghost" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  37. ↑ "Officialcharts.de – Ella Henderson – Ghost". GfK Entertainment.
  38. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  39. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  40. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 24, 2014". Irish Singles Chart.
  41. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Ella Henderson search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40.
  42. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Ella Henderson – Ghost" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  43. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Ella Henderson – Ghost". Top 40 Singles.
  44. ↑ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 20. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  45. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2014-06-21". Scottish Singles Top 40.
  46. ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 20151 into search.
  47. ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201444 into search.
  48. ↑ "South African Airplay Chart Top 10 - May 21, 2014". Entertainment Monitoring Africa. Archived from the original on September 5, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  49. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Ella Henderson – Ghost". Singles Top 60.
  50. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Ella Henderson – Ghost". Swiss Singles Chart.
  51. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2014-06-21" UK Singles Chart.
  52. ↑ Illegal name entered Ella Henderson/Ella+Henderson/chart?f=379 "Ella Henderson Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for Ella Henderson.
  53. ↑ Illegal name entered Ella Henderson/Ella+Henderson/chart?f=341 "Ella Henderson Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Ella Henderson.
  54. ↑ Illegal name entered Ella Henderson/Ella+Henderson/chart?f=343 "Ella Henderson Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Ella Henderson.
  55. ↑ Illegal name entered Ella Henderson/Ella+Henderson/chart?f=348 "Ella Henderson Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Dance/Mix Show Airplay for Ella Henderson.
  56. ↑ Illegal name entered Ella Henderson/Ella+Henderson/chart?f=381 "Ella Henderson Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Pop Songs for Ella Henderson.
  57. ↑ "End of Year Charts – ARIA Top 100 Singles 2014". ARIA Charts. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  58. ↑ "Jahrescharts Deutschland – Hits 2014". Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  59. ↑ "Top Selling Singles of 2014". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  60. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2014 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  61. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Ella Henderson; 'Ghost')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  62. ↑ "NZ Top 40 Singles - 10 November 2014". nztop40.com. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  63. ↑ "Ella Henderson Facebook Post 1 September 2014". Ella Henderson Facebook Page. 1 September 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  64. ↑ "Awards 2014". swisscharts.com. 10 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  65. ↑ "British single certifications – Ella Henderson – Ghost". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 1 January 2015. Enter Ghost in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Platinum in the field By Award. Click Search
  66. ↑ "American single certifications – Henderson, Ella – Ghost". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 15 January 2015. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  67. ↑ "Certificeringer - Ella Henderson - Gold" (in Danish). IFPI Denmark. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  68. ↑ 68.0 68.1 68.2 "Ghost: Ella Henderson: Amazon.de: Musik-Downloads". Amazon.de. 6 June 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  69. ↑ "Ghost: Ella Henderson: Amazon.fr: Téléchargement de musique". Amazon.fr. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  70. ↑ "Ghost: Ella Henderson: Amazon.es: Música digital". Amazon.es. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  71. ↑ "Ghost: Ella Henderson: Amazon.it: Musica Digitale". Amazon.it. 10 June 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  72. ↑ Corradini, Paola (23 July 2014). "Ella Henderson - Ghost (Radio Date)". Sony Music Italy. Earone. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  73. ↑ "Ghost: Ella Henderson: Amazon.com: Digital Music". Amazon.com. 29 July 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  74. ↑ 74.0 74.1 74.2 "Ghost: Ella Henderson: Amazon.de: Musik". Amazon.de. 29 August 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2014.