Ghost in the Machine (song)

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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
Written2022
ReleasedDecember 9, 2022 (2022-12-09)
Recorded2022
Genre
Length3:38
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Rob Bisel
  • Carter Lang
Lyric video
"Ghost in the Machine" on YouTube

"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. It won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 66th ceremony.

Background[edit]

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 SZA's vocal performance, the musical style, as well as the 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: "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 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 included artists like Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, Olivia Rodrigo, Doja Cat, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar.[10] Of the several more artists she contacted, 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]

Music and production[edit]

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

Having been categorized as an R&B artist throughout her career, which she believed was because she was a Black woman,[14] SZA sought to prove her musical versatility and combine the R&B sound that had been a staple of her past works[15][16] with a diverse set of other genres and soundscapes.[17] SZA described "Ghost in the Machine" as a "super alternative and strange" song,[18] whereas critics have described it as an intersection between SZA's R&B style and Bridgers' alternative, indie pop style.[19] NPR Music directly called the song indie pop.[20] Over a stringed and minimal[21] electronic production,[22] SZA and Bridgers harmonize their voices to match each other's vocal timbres,[21][23] delivering their verses breathily.[24][25]

The making of "Ghost in the Machine" began in 2022 with a drum loop by Matt Cohn, credited as an additional producer in the liner notes, followed by piano and keyboard notes from Rob Bisel. Joined by Carter Lang, Bisel worked on improving and overhauling the tracks before showing the demo for SZA, a few days after recording another SOS track, "Blind". At the middle of the demo was an open instrumental section, where Bisel thought singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers would fit, so he suggested a feature from her to SZA, to which SZA agreed.[26]

While Bisel was trying to make the feature happen through his publisher,[26] SZA personally contacted Bridgers through online messages in their first interaction together.[27] The turnaround time was fast; Bridgers came to the studio for sessions a week or two after being asked to feature,[26] recording her vocals a week before the album's scheduled release. She at first wanted to provide background harmonies only, but she received encouragement from Bisel and the others to record a full verse. They liked her first take and kept it for the final song, almost identical except for some cut-out parts.[26]

Lyrics[edit]

Similar to other SOS tracks like "Snooze" and "Kill Bill", writing "Ghost in the Machine" was a spontaneous feat; it took SZA 20 to 30 minutes to write her verses.[26] SZA told Alternative Press that she was motivated by exhaustion around the constant fighting between people on Internet spaces such as Instagram over morality, which she believed was at the expense of meaningful connections: "I feel like there's so much debate about what's good, what's bad, what's this, what's that?” The lyrics incorporate a conversational style, which SZA believed Bridgers could provide.[28]

"Ghost in the Machine" explores SZA's contempt for the music industry "machine" she finds herself in.[29] She feels almost controlled and manipulated by external forces. She looks towards her partner to offer her an escape from her situation, even if it is just temporary. The song discusses the impact of technology and the superficiality of modern society. The lyrics revolve around the loss of authentic connections. Several lines speak on the disconnection of modern relationships calling out self-centeredness and lack of empathy. It also suggests her frustration with the pressure that is associated with fame. SZA illuminates love and compassion as the fundamentals of society in her song. "Ghost in the Machine" challenges listeners to embrace their humanity and find consolation in meaningful, authentic interactions.[30]

Release and reception[edit]

During a Billboard cover story published in November 2022, SZA revealed the album title, as well as the release date which was scheduled sometime the following month.[31] She posted the album's track list on Twitter on December 5, 2022, and SOS was released four days later. Out of 23 songs, "Ghost in the Machine" appears as the 12th track.[32][33] It peaked at number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100,[34] becoming Bridgers' first top 40 song in the United States,[35] and appeared on the national charts in Canada, Australia, and Portugal.[note 3] On the Billboard Global 200, the song peaked at number 52.[36] "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.[37][38]

Accolades[edit]

List of awards and nominations received by "Ghost in the Machine"
Year Award Category Result Ref.
2024 Grammy Awards Best Pop Duo/Group Performance Won [39]

Charts[edit]

Weekly charts[edit]

Weekly chart performance for "Ghost in the Machine"
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[40] 72
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[41] 51
Global 200 (Billboard)[36] 67
Portugal (AFP)[42] 121
UK Audio Streaming (OCC)[43] 96
US Billboard Hot 100[34] 40
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[44] 24

Year-end charts[edit]

Year-end chart performance for "Ghost in the Machine"
Chart (2023) Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[45] 65

Certifications[edit]

Certifications for "Ghost in the Machine"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[46] Gold 20,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[47] Platinum 80,000‡
United States (RIAA)[48] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Notes[edit]

  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[edit]

  1. ^ a b 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. ^ Blake, Cole (December 12, 2022). "SZA Says She's Tired of Being Labeled an R&B Artist". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ McNeal, Bria (December 9, 2022). "SZA's SOS Is Unpolished—and Completely Thrilling". Esquire. Archived from the original on December 11, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ Jones, Damian (December 7, 2022). "SZA talks "super alternative and strange" Phoebe Bridgers collaboration". NME. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  19. ^ Hopper, Alex (December 17, 2022). "Phoebe Bridgers Says She Recorded Her SZA Feature a Week Before it Came Out—"That Record is Insane"". American Songwriter. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  20. ^ NPR https://www.npr.org/2023/12/05/1211225533/best-albums-2023. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. ^ a b Amorosi, A. D. (December 9, 2022). "SZA Sends Out an 'SOS' That Will Be an Emergency Addition to Everyone's 10-Best Lists: Album Review". Variety. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  22. ^ Pareles, Jon; Zoladz, Lindsay (December 9, 2022). "SZA and Phoebe Bridgers's Team-Up, and 8 More New Songs". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  23. ^ Shepherd, Julianne Escobedo. "SZA: SOS". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  24. ^ Dazed (December 9, 2022). "4 albums to stream this week". Dazed. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  25. ^ Frank, Jason P. (December 9, 2022). "SZA Lights Up and Spits Fire in 'Smoking on My Ex Pack'". Vulture. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  26. ^ a b c d e Hiatt, Brian (January 29, 2023). "The Making of SZA's SOS". Rolling Stone Music Now (Podcast). Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  27. ^ "SZA Says Phoebe Bridgers Collab Came After Connecting Over DMs: 'She Was Cool as F---'". Peoplemag. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  28. ^ Gore, Sydney (February 27, 2023). "SZA Has Always Been Alternative—You Just Weren't Listening". Alternative Press. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  29. ^ Willets, Melissa (December 10, 2022). ""Ghost In The Machine" by SZA: The Meaning Behind the Song Broken Down". Distractify. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  30. ^ Galindo, Thomas (November 18, 2023). "The Meaning Behind SZA and Phoebe Bridgers' Grammy-Nominated "Ghost in the Machine"". American Songwriter. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  31. ^ 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.
  32. ^ 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.
  33. ^ 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.
  34. ^ a b "SZA Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  35. ^ 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.
  36. ^ a b "SZA Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  37. ^ Legaspi, Althea (March 5, 2023). "Watch Phoebe Bridgers, Cardi B Join SZA for Madison Square Garden Performance". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 5, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  38. ^ "Watch Phoebe Bridgers and Cardi B Join SZA at MSG". Pitchfork. March 5, 2023. Archived from the original on March 5, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  39. ^ "Grammy Nominations 2024: See the Full List Here". Pitchfork. November 10, 2023. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  40. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 19 December 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1711. Australian Recording Industry Association. December 19, 2022. p. 4.
  41. ^ "SZA Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  42. ^ "SZA feat. Phoebe Bridgers – Ghost in the Machine". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  43. ^ "Official Audio Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  44. ^ "SZA Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  45. ^ "Year-End Charts – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs 2023". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  46. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – SZA – Ghost in the Machine feat. Phoebe Bridgers" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  47. ^ "Canadian single certifications – SZA – Ghost in the Machine". Music Canada. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  48. ^ "American single certifications – SZA – Ghost in the Machine feat. Phoebe Bridgers". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
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