Cover art for Phantom by Rina Sawayama
Aug. 25, 20221 viewer26.2K views

Phantom Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Once upon a time
There was a girl pleasing the world
Dying to be liked
Looking for love, wanting to trust


[Pre-Chorus]
Stickers and scented gel pens
Give possessions, get friends
Breaking off pieces, things started to change
I've been tryna find her since
She gave a little too much away

[Chorus]
I don't wanna do this without you
I don't wanna do this if you're just a ghost in the night
I tried everything to fill up the void that you left me with
My phantom (Phantom)

[Post-Chorus]
Phantom, phantom

[Verse 2]
If I could talk to you
I'd tell you not to rush, you're good enough
You don't have to lose
What makes you you, still got some growing to do
[Pre-Chorus]
When did we get so estranged?
Haunted by the way I've changed
Claiming back the pieces of me that I've lost
Reaching in and hoping you're still
Waiting by the windowsill, I'd bring you back to us


[Chorus]
I don't wanna do this without you
I don't wanna do this if you're just a ghost in the night
I tried everything to fill up the void that you left me with
My phantom (Phantom)

[Bridge]
Ooh, I was wrong to assume
I would ever outgrow you
I need you now, I need you close
How do you hold a ghost?
Inner child, come back to me

I wanna tell you that I'm sorry, I'm sorry

[Chorus]
I don't wanna do this without you
I don't wanna do this if you're just a ghost in the night
I tried everything to fill up the void that you left me with
My phantom
Don't wanna do this without you
Don't wanna do this if you're locked away in my mind
I tried everything to fill up the void that you left me with
My phantom, ooh (Phantom)
[Post-Chorus]
Phantom, phantom
Phantom, phantom

[Outro]
Once upon a time, there was a girl
Ooh, dying to be liked, looking for love
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh
I don't wanna do this without you

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Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did Rina Sawayama say about "Phantom"?
Genius Answer

I realised as an adult that I have spent my whole life pleasing other people and not realising it – constantly pushing my boundaries and not realising the difference between what I wanted to do and what other people wanted from me. Through the lyrics in the verse I’m trying to tell this story and then in the choruses I’m morning the loss of my real self.

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