‘Ghost Train’ was the first song I released as part of my Orange Peel project in September 2024. The song was originally written back in 2019.
The DNA of the piece can be clearly heard in the demo (included below). In fact, I think producer Patrick James Fitzroy and I even used a couple of the elements (the core drum beat and the string synth) in the final version of the song. ‘Ghost Train’ was composed on my Eastwood baritone tenor guitar, an instrument that has opened up lots of new and interesting chord shapes and sounds for these songs.
‘Ghost Train’ - demo version 2019.
About six months ago, my friend and sometime creative collaborator Ross McClure directed a music video for ‘Ghost Train’ around the single’s release. We shot the video in our neighbourhood in Barcelona. I helped out with the shoot and even had a cameo filmed, though this didn’t make the final cut (guess my acting chops weren’t up to scratch).
Some of the video was shot with a Snorricam, and we got some pretty trippy visual effects. Our main actor, Neema Lahon, was a fearless collaborator on this shoot. I tried out the Snorricam myself, and it was seriously heavy, so I’m not sure how she managed to move around so freely while wearing it.
Anyway, it’s been great to revisit this song in its various versions over the past couple of days.
Ghost Train lyrics:
This ride won’t stop for you
You left the Funhouse,
you didn’t want to
ride the Rollercoaster,
the River Rapids,
the Helter Skelter.
I’ll meet you
under the
Ferris Wheel.
Candy floss rots your teeth.
The Hall of Mirrors.
On the Waltzers.
In the Tunnel of Love
Hearts and Diamonds
Pendulum above.
I’ll play
Ladder Climb
And I’ll play
Coconut Shy
with you
with you
Even if we never win anything
before we’re through.
With you
With you
Even if we never win anything
there's me and you.
Wait in line for the Ghost Train,
the Wheel of Fortune
ride the Hurricane.
Head for the Wall of Death
We’ve reached the entrance,
it’s our turn next.
And I’ll play
Ring Toss
And I’ll play
Milk Bottle
with you
with you
even if we never win anything
before we’re through,
there’s me and you.
—
Thanks for listening.
JCV
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