Forget haunted houses and things that go bump in the night. The ghosts in Mark Newman’s “Ghosts” are much more familiar: the people once known, the places left behind, and the moments that still find their way back to us.
The track blends rock, blues, Americana and R&B into a warm, guitar-driven reflection on memory and everything carried forward. As Newman puts it, “Some memories bring comfort, others bring pain, but they all become part of who you are.” It is a simple idea, but one that feels instantly relatable.
What makes “Ghosts” work is that it never pushes the emotion too hard. The arrangement has plenty of room to breathe, allowing Newman’s seasoned vocals and expressive guitar work to remain at the center. Naomi Margolin’s guitar and vocals add another layer to the performance, while John Cardone on bass and Shawn Murray on drums and percussion give the track an organic, cohesive foundation.
There is also something refreshingly mature about the way the song approaches memory. It doesn’t romanticize the past or suggest that every ghost needs to be confronted or forgotten. Some simply remain with us; as reminders of people, places, mistakes, joys, and versions of ourselves that helped shape who we are.
Written by Mark Newman and Michael Mills and produced by Newman and Fred Guarino, the recording has a rich, lived-in quality that suits its uplifting reflective mood. It feels honest without becoming overly sentimental, allowing the songwriting to do most of the emotional work.
Mark Newman’s “Ghosts” is less about what haunts us than what remains; and sometimes, the ghosts carried forward are simply proof that something, actually, once mattered!
