I'm a Ghost Artist on Spotify

Spotify uses "ghost artists" to cut costs and fill background playlists. Real musicians remain anonymous and earn money behind pseudonyms. The lyrics humorously depict their invisible work and the strange streaming business.

Work-for-Peanuts Productions

Manchester
England, United Kingdom, Europe
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Description

Inspired by https://www.spiegel.de/netzwelt/apps/so-profitiert-spotify-von-geistermusik-in-playlists-abgruende-des-streaming-geschaefts-a-e8db415f-152d-480d-958f-a9c3ffacb543

Lyrics:

Verse 1
I’m floating through your chill-out stream, no face for you to see
No Instagram, no Twitter feed, a mystery I must be
I’m a side gig in your headphones, just background to your day
Composed behind the scenes, so quietly I’ll stay

Pre-Chorus
You click on “Relax & Focus,” and there I always am
No fancy label branding, no proof of who I am

Chorus
I’m a ghost artist on Spotify
You never see my face and you never ask why
Yeah, I’m the tune with a thousand plays
But no real stage, no big fan craze
I’m a ghost artist on Spotify
Hiding behind the calm in your lullaby

Verse 2
Corporate deals keep me afloat, I’m cheaper for the stream
Whispering chords in dinner jazz, I slip into your dream
No storyline or concert dates, you’ll never catch me live
When algorithms govern taste, that’s where I will survive

Pre-Chorus
You wonder if I’m even real, but hey, I’m still a groove
Does it matter whose name is on the track if it helps your mood?

Chorus
I’m a ghost artist on Spotify
You never see my face and you never ask why
I’m hidden behind generic art
A perfect fit from the very start
I’m a ghost artist on Spotify
Here to keep the costs and the quiet high

Bridge
I’m just a part-time job for some musician out there
Like weddings or background lounge gigs, I pop up everywhere
I’m not your big-name idol, I’m not on late-night TV
But I keep your day from silence with an ambience so breezy

Chorus (Extended)
I’m a ghost artist on Spotify
Drifting through your playlists like a whispered sigh
I keep your focus nice and neat
You skip my name, but can’t skip my beat
I’m a ghost artist on Spotify
Blink and you’ll miss me—yet I’ll always supply
The tunes that soothe your mind all day
A hidden muse that loves to play

Outro
I’m a ghost artist on Spotify—
But that’s the secret, so don’t ask why.

Project
Location: Manchester, England, United Kingdom, Europe
Date: Jan 2025
Music Production Project Properties
Cover Design & Visualization Project Properties
Cover Style: Photography
Cover Props: Microphone
Expression of the person(s): Sad, Neutral
Image AI model / style used: Midjourney 6.1
Invite to Beta