Ghosts 'n' Stuff

"Ghosts 'n' Stuff"
File:Deadmau5-Ghosts 'n' Stuff cover.png
Single by deadmau5 featuring Rob Swire
from the album For Lack of a Better Name
Released	25 November 2008 (2008-11-25)
Format	Digital download
Recorded	1 September 2004
Genre	Electro house
Length	6:10 (original version) 5:27 (5-min edit) 3:08 (album version and radio edit)
Label	Ultra
Writer(s)	Joel Zimmerman Rob Swire
Producer(s)	Joel Zimmerman
deadmau5 singles chronology
"I Remember" (2008) Ghosts 'n' Stuff (2008) "Slip" (2008)

"Ghosts 'n' Stuff" (also "Ghosts N Stuff") is a song by Canadian progressive house and electro house DJ deadmau5 featuring vocals from Rob Swire from Australian drum and bass and electronic rock band Pendulum and Knife Party. It was released as a single from deadmau5's studio album, For Lack of a Better Name. The opening theme is based on Piano Sonata No. 2 (Chopin) and featured a sample from the film The Brain from Planet Arous. The refrain is a reinterpretation of Chris Isaak's Wicked Game.

History

The original version of "Ghosts 'n' Stuff" was made in 2004, and it "ended up going through at least 10 revisions". Joel Zimmerman and Rob Swire had been coincidentally meeting each other backstage at various festivals and agreed to collaborate.

The song was made specifically for Pete Tong's BBC Radio 1 Essential Selection show on October 10, 2008. deadmau5 was a guest on the show along with Steve Angello (the two, with Tong, were playing a live set in Manchester, England that night). In the week leading up to the show, Tong requested that deadmau5 create something new for his appearance. At the 81:03 mark, deadmau5 states that the song was originally titled "Hotel" because he made it for Tong's show while staying in his hotel. He also states that the song was only "just now" finished and that he is now calling it "Ghosts 'n' Stuff". Deadmau5 debuted this song to a live audience at HARD Haunted Mansion 2008 in Los Angeles, CA.

Reception

The song peaked at number 12 in the United Kingdom on the UK Singles Chart week beginning 4 October 2009. It also placed at number 96 in the Triple J Hottest 100, 2009.

In the United States, Ghosts 'n' Stuff received exposure from use in TV shows such as America's Best Dance Crew and heavy radio airplay. In the May 15, 2010 issue of Billboard, the track reached number one on the magazine's Hot Dance Airplay chart after 24 weeks of charting, thus making the single the longest climb to number one ever on the chart, as well as the first single to reach the top spot after it had dropped off, then returned to the chart.

Music video

Zimmerman portraying a ghost.

A music video promoting the single was released and was directed by Colin O'Toole. It was shot in Toronto, Canada.

The clip begins as Joel Zimmerman is rushed into a hospital, but he dies within minutes of arrival. He is then revived as a ghost, and attempts to pass through the walls but finds he cannot. He leaves the hospital and wanders around town, getting a tattoo of a Space Invader alien, and running into a gang of other ghosts. After an unpleasant trip to a restaurant and a laundromat, Joel attends a rave with several people also dressed in costumes. At the party, someone wearing a mau5head pulls the white sheet off, as Joel comes back in the hospital. He finds that the Space Invader tattoo which he got as a ghost remains on his neck.

Track listing

1. "Ghosts 'n' Stuff" (Radio Edit) – 3:11
2. "Ghosts 'n' Stuff" (Extended Version) – 5:27
3. "Moar Ghosts 'n' Stuff" (Original Mix) – 4:57
4. "Ghosts 'n' Stuff" (Nero Remix) – 6:55
5. "Ghosts 'n' Stuff" (Sub Focus Remix) – 4:26
6. "Ghosts 'n' Stuff" (Original Instrumental Mix) – 6:10

Chart (2009)	Peak position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)	53
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)	12
UK Dance (Official Charts Company)	2
US Billboard Hot Dance Airplay	1
US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs	1

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics

Preceded by "Break Your Heart" by Taio Cruz featuring Ludacris

Billboard's Hot Dance Airplay number one single May 15, 2010

Succeeded by "Heartbreak on Vinyl" by Blake Lewis