Dance Macabre

"Dance Macabre" explores the theme of finding joy and love in the face of certain doom. The song's title directly references the "Danse Macabre," a medieval artistic allegory about the universality of death, which became prominent during the Black Death. This allegory depicted people from all walks of life—popes, kings, peasants—dancing to their graves, led by a personification of Death. It served as a memento mori, a reminder of life's fragility.

Ghost's frontman, Tobias Forge, explained that the song is set during the 14th-century plague. Faced with a swift and certain death, many people abandoned societal norms and spent their last days in fervent celebration, partying in pubs and brothels "literally like there was no tomorrow." The song aims to capture this "joyous nocturnal sort of life in a disco song." Lyrically, it's a farewell love song where the narrator wants to spend their last night on Earth in a passionate, enchanting embrace with their lover. The repeated line, "Just wanna be, wanna bewitch you," which can be misheard as "wanna be with you," adds a layer of clever wordplay, fitting the band's occult and horror imagery while conveying a deep sense of enchantment and final connection. The song is a celebration of living life to the fullest and finding human connection, even when—and especially when—the end is near.

The narrative unfolds from the perspective of someone facing an imminent and inescapable end, seemingly on their last night. The chiming of the clock close to midnight signals that time is running out. There's a palpable sense of regret and a desperate wish to turn back time to correct whatever led to this final moment. The parting is bittersweet and filled with a certain tension, described as a "sting" in a lover's kiss. The narrator sees a finality in their partner's eyes, a silent acknowledgment that this is their last time together. The song's central, recurring desire is to "bewitch" this person in the moonlight, to spend this one last night lost in a captivating, enchanting embrace. This plea is not just to be with them, but to create a final, magical memory. As the moment progresses, the feeling of impending doom intensifies, described as chills that confirm the end is near. Each moment and every touch feels like a step closer to a "last vow." The lyrics capture a specific historical scenario: during the Black Death in the 14th century, many people, knowing death was inevitable and swift, chose to spend their final days in hedonistic revelry. They indulged in parties, drink, and romance, living with an intensity that only the proximity of death can inspire. The song channels this spirit of joyous defiance. It’s a love song set against the backdrop of a plague, where the protagonists choose to dance and love passionately as their world collapses, finding solace and a final blaze of life in each other's arms before it's all over.

"Dance Macabre" was released on May 18, 2018, as the second single from Ghost's fourth studio album, Prequelle. The album's central theme revolves around the Middle Ages, particularly the Black Death, drawing parallels between the anxieties of that era and contemporary fears. Tobias Forge, the creative force behind Ghost, conceived the album's theme years before its release.

Forge revealed that he initially didn't envision "Dance Macabre" as a Ghost song due to its distinct, dance-oriented pop-rock sound. However, after writing the lyrics, which tied into the album's plague theme, he realized it could work. He was also encouraged by songwriter friends to include it. The song was co-written by Forge and two professional Swedish songwriters, Salem Al Fakir and Vincent Pontare. Forge was inspired by the musical diversity of bands like Queen, wanting to show that a Ghost song didn't have to start with a heavy guitar riff and could embrace different styles. The track was debuted at a surprise live show on May 5, 2018, before its official release. A popular disco remix by synthwave artist Carpenter Brut was also released in August 2018.

The song is built around the central metaphor of the "Danse Macabre" or "Dance of Death." This historical allegory symbolizes several key ideas:

• The Universality of Death: The original Danse Macabre art depicted skeletons leading people from every social class to their graves, emphasizing that death is the great equalizer. While the song focuses on a personal romance, this historical backdrop lends a universal weight to the lovers' final night.
• Carpe Diem in the Face of Annihilation: The "dance" in the song is a metaphor for celebrating life with hedonistic abandon when faced with imminent death. During the Black Death, people would literally party and dance until they died. The song turns this historical reality into a symbol of defiance and a desperate seizure of final moments of joy.
• Pestilence as a Metaphor: The entire Prequelle album uses the plague as a metaphor for the spread of destructive ideas, societal collapse, and the existential dread of any era. "Dance Macabre" becomes the human response to this overwhelming dread—turning to connection and passion when the world is falling apart.
• "Bewitch": The use of the word "bewitch" instead of the more common "be with" is a significant lyrical choice. It aligns with Ghost's occult and satanic imagery while also suggesting a desire to create a moment so magical and enchanting that it transcends the horror of their reality, even if only for one night.

The emotional landscape of "Dance Macabre" is a complex and powerful juxtaposition of euphoria and desperation. Despite being set against the grim backdrop of the Black Death, the song's predominant tone is not one of sorrow or fear, but of defiant joy and passionate abandon. This atmosphere is created through its driving, upbeat tempo, soaring melodies, and anthemic chorus, which sound more like a celebration than a lament. It captures the feeling of people choosing to live their last hours with intense, hedonistic fervor rather than succumbing to despair.

There is an undercurrent of bittersweetness and urgency, particularly in the verses with lines like "There's a sting in the way you kiss me" and "it could be the last time." This acknowledges the tragedy of the situation, but this feeling is consistently overwhelmed by the exhilarating rush of the chorus. The song creates a feeling of romantic, apocalyptic exhilaration—the sense of two lovers finding a perfect, magical moment together as their world ends. The overall emotional impact is one of triumph over despair, a celebration of life and love at the very edge of the abyss.

"Dance Macabre" is widely regarded as one of Ghost's most successful and pivotal songs, significantly boosting their crossover appeal and solidifying their status as an arena-rock powerhouse. The track was a commercial success, topping the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in the US.

Its accessible, 80s-influenced sound and incredibly catchy chorus allowed it to reach a broader audience beyond the traditional heavy metal community, receiving praise for being a "pure 80s rock-club banger." The song's music video gained significant attention for its narrative, which serves as a prequel to the Ghost mythology, depicting the origin story of how the character Papa Emeritus met Sister Imperator. The video's homage to films like The Rocky Horror Picture Show further enhanced its appeal.

"Dance Macabre" is a fan favorite and a staple of Ghost's live shows. Tobias Forge himself considers it one of the band's "cream-of-the-crop" immediate songs that he will likely play for the rest of his life. The song's success demonstrated Forge's ability to blend diverse musical influences while staying true to the band's thematic core, proving that Ghost could be "more Queen than AC/DC."

The song's structure is built to be incredibly catchy and rhythmically compelling, reflecting its dance-oriented theme.

Rhyme Scheme: The rhyme scheme in the verses is relatively simple and direct, often following an AABB pattern. For example: "You'll soon be hearing the chime (A) / Close to midnight (B) / If I could turn back the time (A) / I'd make all right (B)." This straightforward structure makes the lyrics easy to follow and sing along to, which is characteristic of pop and rock anthems.

Rhythm and Tempo: "Dance Macabre" has a driving, uptempo rhythm with a consistent four-on-the-floor beat that makes it highly danceable, living up to its title. The tempo is brisk and energetic, creating a feeling of urgency and exhilaration rather than dread. This upbeat musical foundation deliberately contrasts with the apocalyptic lyrical themes, creating the song's signature mood of joyous defiance. The interplay between the pulsing bassline, steady drums, and melodic guitar and synth lines creates a rhythmic landscape that is pure 80s rock club energy.

Lyrical Flow: The lyrical rhythm is syncopated and flows naturally with the music. The chorus, in particular, uses repetition and a strong, memorable cadence—"Just wanna be / wanna bewitch you / in the moonlight"—that serves as the song's powerful, unforgettable hook.

"Dance Macabre" is notable for its deliberate fusion of contrasting styles, creating a unique and memorable track.

Musical Techniques:

• Genre Fusion: The song masterfully blends an 80s arena rock and pop-rock sensibility with Ghost's signature heavy metal and hard rock sound. It has been described as a "disco song" and a "pure 80s rock-club banger." This stylistic choice makes the dark lyrical theme more accessible and creates an ironic, euphoric atmosphere.
• Instrumentation: It features prominent, driving basslines, shimmering synthesizers reminiscent of 80s AOR, and a powerful, anthemic guitar riff. The arrangement is clean and polished, prioritizing melody and a danceable rhythm over the raw aggression often found in metal.
• Vocal Delivery: Tobias Forge's vocals are melodic and clear, with a soaring quality in the chorus that enhances the song's anthemic feel. The delivery is passionate and emotive, capturing the desperation and exhilaration of the lyrics without resorting to harshness.
• Arrangement: Forge described the song's placement and function in the album as being like a "car chase" in a movie, designed to inject a burst of high energy and momentum into the album's narrative arc.

Literary Techniques:

• Wordplay: The primary literary device is the pun or double-entendre in the chorus: "Just wanna be, wanna bewitch you," which sounds almost identical to the more cliché "Just wanna be, wanna be with you." This clever twist infuses a simple declaration of love with the band's dark, occult aesthetic.
• Atmospheric Contrast: The lyrics create a powerful juxtaposition between the joyful, romantic act of dancing all night and the grim reality of impending death ("this could be the last time"). This contrast between mood and subject matter is a hallmark of the song's effectiveness.

What is the meaning of the song 'Dance Macabre' by Ghost?

The song is about finding joy and love in the face of certain death. Inspired by the medieval 'Danse Macabre' allegory, it's set during the Black Plague, where people would party hedonistically knowing they were going to die. It's a celebration of living life to the fullest in your final moments.

What historical event is 'Dance Macabre' based on?

'Dance Macabre' is thematically based on the Black Death, the bubonic plague pandemic that devastated Europe in the mid-14th century. The album it's on, 'Prequelle', explores this era of death and turmoil as a central concept.

What does the lyric 'wanna bewitch you' mean?

The line is a clever play on the more common phrase 'wanna be with you.' By using 'bewitch,' the song aligns with Ghost's horror and occult imagery while also conveying a desire to enchant or cast a spell on a lover, making their final moments together magical and transcendent.

What genre is 'Dance Macabre'?

The song is primarily a mix of arena rock, hard rock, and pop rock, with strong disco and 80s AOR (Album-Oriented Rock) influences. It was a deliberate stylistic choice to create an upbeat, danceable track that contrasts with its dark lyrical themes.

Who wrote 'Dance Macabre'?

The song was written by Ghost's mastermind Tobias Forge in collaboration with Swedish songwriters and producers Salem Al Fakir and Vincent Pontare.

What is the story in the 'Dance Macabre' music video?

The music video serves as a prequel in the Ghost lore, showing the origin story of the relationship between key characters Sister Imperator and Papa Nihil (a younger version of a future Papa Emeritus). It depicts them meeting at a party and falling in love.

What is the 'Danse Macabre' art allegory?

The Danse Macabre, or Dance of Death, was a medieval artistic genre showing a personification of Death leading people from all walks of life (kings, popes, peasants) to their grave. It was a memento mori, reminding people of the universality and inevitability of death.