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Beautiful Ghosts
Beautiful Ghosts
from Wikipedia

"Beautiful Ghosts"
Promotional single by Taylor Swift
from the album Cats: Highlights from the Motion Picture Soundtrack
ReleasedNovember 15, 2019 (2019-11-15)
Recorded2019
GenreOrchestral
Length4:21
LabelPolydor
Composers
LyricistTaylor Swift
Producers
Lyric video
"Beautiful Ghosts" on YouTube

"Beautiful Ghosts" (also subtitled "(From the Motion Picture Cats)") is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the English composer Andrew Lloyd Webber from the 2019 Cats film adaptation, in which Swift played Bombalurina. The song was written by Swift (lyrics and music) and Cats creator Andrew Lloyd Webber (music), and produced by Greg Wells, Lloyd Webber, and Cats director Tom Hooper. It was released on November 15, 2019. Considered as its signature song, it is performed in the film by the principal character Victoria, portrayed by Francesca Hayward. A 30-second reprise is also sung by Judi Dench as Old Deuteronomy.[1] Swift performs the official single version that is played over the ending credits.[2]

Upon release, the song received positive reviews from music critics. It received nominations for Best Original Song at the 77th Golden Globe Awards and Best Song Written for Visual Media at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards—Swift's third nomination for the latter, following "Safe & Sound" (2011) and "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" (2016).

Background and release

[edit]

As a concept, the then-untitled song was first reported in early 2018, when the film adaptation was in early stages of production.[3] The song was designed to provide a way for Victoria to introduce her character to the audience, as she communicates solely through gestures and dance in the original stage show.[2] Swift described the song as such:

"Beautiful Ghosts" is sung from a young voice who is wondering if she will ever have glory days. Longing for the sense of belonging she sees everyone else finding. Reaching for it, desperately afraid of never having beautiful ghosts of days gone by to cling to in her older years.[4]

The song was released on digital platforms and to streaming services on November 15, 2019, one month before the film's theatrical release.[5] A lyric video for the song was released on YouTube the same day. The lyric video has over 8 million views on YouTube.[6] In a 2021 interview, Webber said writing "Beautiful Ghosts" with Swift was his "only enjoyable part" of working in Cats.[7]

Composition

[edit]

The song has a running time of four minutes and twenty-one seconds. It is in the key of E, modulating from a minor key in the verses to a major key in the chorus with a vocal range spanning from G#3 to C#5. It has a tempo of 60 beats per minute. The song is in a compound meter that changes between 6
8
and 9
8
throughout most of the song, with the ending in compound septuple meter 21
8
.[8] The orchestral ballad started as an acoustic melody composed by Lloyd Webber.[2] During rehearsals in December 2018 at his London studio, he played Swift the melody on the piano, and Swift immediately started improvising lyrics.[1][4] According to Lloyd Webber, the two "wrote 90 percent of it pretty much over an afternoon."[1] He described the collaboration with Swift as "a joy", the collaboration as "one of the finest of [his] 50-year career",[9] Swift's lyrics as "brilliant", and her performance of the song as "emotional" and "among the very best [he's] ever had".[10] Tom Hooper, director of the film and a producer of the song, complimented the "extraordinary beauty" of Swift's lyrics and praised Swift for her "profound understanding of what we're trying to do with the movie."[11]

Critical reception

[edit]

In contrast to the negative reception Cats received, the song received positive reviews from music critics, who praised Swift's vocal performance. Darlene Aderoju and Joelle Goldstein of People described the song as "chillingly-beautiful" and a "haunting melody" that "speaks to a feeling of longing to be wanted and reminiscing on better memories." They also praised Swift's singing, describing it as "impressive pipes beyond her typical country-pop style", especially the final belted note.[11] Writing for HuffPost, Ron Dicker complimented Swift's vocals, referring to the song as "hauntingly gorgeous" and an "absolute showstopper".[12] Elite Daily's Jessica Bolaños opined that the song is "nothing short of perfection" and stated that the lyrics are "dripping with passion".[13][14] Chris Willman of Variety wrote that the song is a return to the "youthful tonality" in Swift's voice, typical of "her Fearless days".[15] Brittany Spanos and Ryan Reeds of Rolling Stone described the song as "cinematic" and "wistful". They also opined that the song "builds to a rousing climax with the singer's voice in a full roar".[16] MTV's Madeline Roth praised Swift's vocal performance and labeled the final high note of the song as "more powerful than anything we've heard from T. Swift in recent memory".[17] Carolyn Droke of Uproxx wrote that the song is about "the melancholy feeling that comes with reminiscing on old memories" and appreciated Swift for showing off her vocal range.[18]

Others gave the song less favourable reviews. Adam Feldman wrote for Time Out that "Beautiful Ghosts" is "terrible", saying that "Swift's lyrics clank with banality at nearly every turn of phrase".[19] Johnny Oleksinski of the New York Post agreed, calling the song "a boring 'Memory' copycat".[20] Leah Marilla Thomas of Cosmopolitan praised the final chorus, but described the song as "a little bonkers", and said that listeners need to lower their expectations before listening.[21] Various Vulture staff also criticized the song, describing the lyrics as nonsensical and corny; Swift's vocal performance was criticised, with Rebecca Alter summarizing the song as Swift "leaping for that note and falling off a cliff".[22] In June 2022, Insider ranked "Beautiful Ghosts" as Swift's worst soundtrack song.[23]

Accolades

[edit]

The song was nominated for Best Original Song at the 77th Golden Globe Awards, becoming Swift's third nomination in the category, following "Safe & Sound" (2013) and "Sweeter than Fiction" (2014).[24] At the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, "Beautiful Ghosts" was nominated for Best Song Written for Visual Media, marking Swift's third nomination in the category, following "Safe & Sound" (2011) and "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" (2016).

Year Organization Award Result Ref.
2020
Golden Globe Awards Best Original Song Nominated [25]
Huading Awards Best Global Film Theme Song Nominated [26]
2021
Grammy Awards Best Song Written for Visual Media Nominated [27]

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits are adapted from Tidal.[28]

  • Taylor Swift – vocals, songwriter
  • Andrew Lloyd Webber – producer, songwriter
  • Greg Wells – producer
  • Tom Hooper – producer
  • Gus Pirelli – engineer, studio personnel
  • Ryan Smith – mastering engineer, studio personnel
  • Serban Ghenea – mixer, studio personnel
  • John Ashton Thomas – conductor
  • Everton Nelson – orchestra leader
  • Susie Gillis – orchestra contractor
  • Eliza Marshall, Helen Keen – alto flute, flute
  • Anthony Pike – bass clarinet
  • Jodi Milliner – bass guitar
  • Andy Wood – bass trombone
  • Adrian Bradbury, Caroline Dearnley, Chris Worsey, Frank Schaefer, Ian Burdge, Paul Kegg – cello
  • John Carnac – clarinet
  • Jane Marshall – cor anglais
  • Allen Walley, Mary Scully, Richard Pryce, Steve Mair – double bass
  • Alexei Watkins, Martin Owen, Richard Watkins, Simon Rayner – French horn
  • Skaila Kanga – harp
  • David Thomas – oboe
  • Chris Baron, Frank Ricotti – percussion
  • John Ashton Thomas, Peter Murray – piano
  • Bill Lockhart – timpani
  • Ed Tarrant, Mark Nightingale – trombone
  • Dan Newell, Kate Moore, Pat White – trumpet
  • Owen Slade – tuba
  • Andy Parker, Gillianne Haddow, Gustav Clarkson, Jake Walker, Martin Humbey, Peter Lale, Polly Wiltshire, Sue Dench – viola
  • Dai Emanuel, Dave Williams, Debbie Preece, Debbie Widdup, Emil Chakalov, Everton Nelson, Ian Humphries, Jonathan Evans-Jones, Julian Leaper, Kate Robinson, Laura Melhuish, Lorraine McAslan, Mark Berrow, Martyn Jackson, Miranda Dale, Natalia Bonner, Odile Ollagnon, Patrick Kiernan, Paul Willey, Ralph de Souza, Richard George, Rick Koster – violin

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "Beautiful Ghosts"
Chart (2019) Peak
position
Australia Digital Tracks (ARIA)[29] 22
Canada Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[30] 31
Greece Digital Songs (Billboard)[31] 5
Hungary (Single Top 40)[32] 26
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[33] 36
Scotland Singles (OCC)[34] 44
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[35] 32
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[36] 14

Release history

[edit]
Release history and formats for "Beautiful Ghosts"
Country Date Format Label Ref.
Various November 15, 2019 Polydor [37]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
"Beautiful Ghosts" is an original song written for the 2019 film adaptation of the musical Cats, with music composed by and lyrics penned by . The track features in the movie as a poignant solo for the character Victoria, portrayed by ballerina , expressing themes of longing and isolation amid the feline ensemble. Swift, who also stars in the film as , performs her version during the end credits. Released as a single by on November 15, 2019, via , the song preceded the film's theatrical debut on December 20, 2019, directed by . It was created specifically to expand Victoria's role in the narrative, drawing inspiration from the musical's lore while introducing a fresh perspective on belonging and faded dreams. The collaboration marked a notable intersection of pop and musical theater, with Webber providing the melody and Swift contributing lyrics that evoke ethereal melancholy. "Beautiful Ghosts" garnered critical recognition, earning nominations for Best Original Song at the in 2020 and Best Song Written for Visual Media at the in 2021. Commercially, Swift's recording achieved moderate success, peaking at No. 14 on the Digital Song Sales chart and charting in several international markets. The song's release included a lyric video and behind-the-scenes footage, highlighting the production process and Swift's involvement in the Cats project. Despite the 's mixed reception, "Beautiful Ghosts" stands as a highlight of Swift's foray into film soundtracks, blending her songwriting prowess with Webber's theatrical legacy.

Production

Background and development

Taylor Swift's involvement in the film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Cats was announced on July 20, 2018, when she was cast in the ensemble alongside , , and , under director . Principal photography began on December 12, 2018, in . Swift's role as the flirtatious red cat was confirmed on January 22, 2019. To deepen the film's narrative, Hooper expanded the role of the white kitten Victoria—played by principal —envisioning her as a central figure and commissioning a new song to introduce her perspective as an outsider among the Jellicle tribe. In response to Hooper's script, Lloyd Webber developed an initial acoustic melody for the song, drawing from T.S. Eliot's poetic spirit while tailoring it to Victoria's emotional arc. That same month, Swift met with Lloyd Webber at his London home to rehearse her performance of "Macavity the Mystery Cat" and discuss the film's overall musical requirements, marking the origins of their collaboration on the new track. Swift later explained that the song's conception explored dual themes of longing and belonging, mirroring Victoria's isolation and yearning for acceptance in the story's world of . Reflecting on the in a 2021 interview, Lloyd Webber described working with Swift as the most enjoyable aspect of the Cats production.

Writing and recording

The collaborative writing process for "Beautiful Ghosts" began during rehearsals for the Cats film in December 2018, when presented with a melody he had composed for the character Victoria. Swift, drawing from the kitten's perspective of isolation and longing, penned the lyrics spontaneously in approximately 20 minutes during an afternoon session, capturing themes of memory and resilience to parallel the musical's emotional core. Swift's took place in 2019 at a facility, as documented in behind-the-scenes footage released by , where she delivered vocals in a style evoking live performance intimacy from her ongoing stadium tours. The track was produced by , , and director , who incorporated orchestral arrangements to enhance its sweeping, cinematic quality, emphasizing a poignant piano-led structure that aligned with the film's fantastical yet melancholic tone. For the film's on-screen rendition, principal ballerina , portraying Victoria, underwent intensive vocal coaching under specialist Fiona McDougal to build her singing technique from a ballet foundation, focusing on breath control and emotional delivery during daily hour-long sessions. Swift provided additional encouragement during Hayward's preparation, ensuring the performance integrated seamlessly into the score as a narrative highlight for the character's arc. The production choices prioritized raw vulnerability in Hayward's version, blending her operatic tone with Lloyd Webber's orchestration to evoke a sense of haunting beauty suited to the Jellicle lore.

Composition and lyrics

Musical composition

"Beautiful Ghosts" is classified as an lasting 4:21. The song is composed in the key of , with a of approximately 63 beats per minute. It begins in before modulating to the parallel major () for a brighter resolution in the chorus. The meter is in compound time, primarily 6/8, to heighten dramatic tension. Swift's vocal performance spans from G♯3 to C♯5, showcasing her dynamic delivery through breathy verses and soaring choruses. Instrumentation centers on lush strings, delicate , and a full , creating a theatrical atmosphere reminiscent of musical theater traditions.

Lyrics and themes

"Beautiful Ghosts" explores the core theme of longing for a sense of belonging, juxtaposed against the reluctant acceptance of one's isolated past, where "beautiful ghosts" serve as metaphors for cherished memories and lost opportunities that others possess but the lacks. The song, written from the perspective of Victoria, the abandoned white kitten in the Cats film adaptation, captures her isolation as a newcomer wandering the streets, yearning for the community and past experiences she observes in the other cats. This theme is embodied in key lyrics such as "Follow me home if you dare to" and "I wouldn't know where to lead you," which evoke Victoria's tentative outreach amid her uncertainty and solitude, and "Born into nothing / At least you have something, something to cling to," highlighting her envy of Grizabella's nostalgic recollections contrasted with her own lack of foundational memories. Taylor infused the lyrics with personal reflections on outsider experiences, drawing from the idea of a deserted figure seeking a home, as she described in a : "What if you’ve got this little that’s been deserted and kind of tossed out by her owners, and she’s had to wander around the streets of wondering where she’s going to find a home." This input underscores Victoria's emotional vulnerability, transforming the song into a poignant to "," where Swift imagined the young cat responding to the older one's lament by acknowledging her own barren past while grappling with hope. The song follows a verse-chorus structure that builds an emotional arc, progressing from introspective verses depicting fear and haunting isolation—"So I watch from the dark, wait for my life to start / With no in my "—to expansive choruses that crescendo into tentative resilience, culminating in the bridge's flicker of connection: "Out here, the wild ones are taming the fear within me." This progression mirrors broader themes in Swift's , such as reflection on personal hardships and emerging resilience, akin to the nostalgic yearning and self-reckoning in tracks like "Fifteen" from her earlier work. Interpretations often link "Beautiful Ghosts" to Swift's recurring motifs of embracing imperfection and finding solace in unconventional belonging, reinforcing her narrative of turning isolation into quiet strength.

Release

Commercial release

"Beautiful Ghosts" was released as a digital single on November 15, 2019, through , in anticipation of the film's December 20 premiere. The track served as the lead promotional single from the *Cats: Highlights from the Motion Picture , which followed on December 20, 2019. The single was made available exclusively in digital formats on major streaming platforms, including and , with no commercial physical releases produced. This digital-first approach emphasized accessibility and aligned with promotion efforts to amplify the song's reach. Polydor Records executed a global simultaneous release strategy for "Beautiful Ghosts," aiming to generate international buzz for the upcoming Cats film adaptation.

Promotion

The promotion of "Beautiful Ghosts" began with the release of an official lyric video on YouTube on November 15, 2019, coinciding with the song's launch as a promotional single for the Cats film. The video, directed by Taylor Swift and featuring animated imagery inspired by the Cats universe, had amassed over 8 million views by November 2025. This visual accompaniment highlighted Swift's ethereal performance against a backdrop of feline motifs, enhancing the song's thematic connection to the movie. In October 2019, premiered a behind-the-scenes recording video showcasing Swift collaborating with composer during the song's creation at . The captured their songwriting process, with Webber providing piano accompaniment as Swift developed the lyrics, emphasizing the collaborative spark that produced the track. This footage served as an early teaser to build anticipation for both the song and Swift's role in the film. Swift actively engaged fans through social media teasers in the lead-up to the release, sharing snippets of the melody and behind-the-scenes glimpses on platforms like . Following the song's nomination for Best Original Song at the in December 2019, she celebrated the achievement on her , describing the collaboration as one of her most fulfilling creative experiences. Snippets of "Beautiful Ghosts" were also incorporated into Cats film trailers, including the November 2019 international teaser, to underscore the movie's emotional core and Swift's contribution. Promotion extended to cross-marketing during Cats press activities, where Webber frequently highlighted the song's merits. In a 2021 Variety interview, he praised "Beautiful Ghosts" as the sole enjoyable aspect of his involvement with the film, crediting Swift's lyrics for their poignant depth over his melody. This endorsement reinforced the track's artistic value amid the film's promotional tour.

Commercial performance

Chart performance

"Beautiful Ghosts" achieved moderate success on various digital sales charts following its release in November 2019, primarily driven by download sales tied to the promotional campaign for the Cats film . In the United States, the song debuted and peaked at number 14 on the Digital Song Sales chart. It also reached number 22 on the Digital Tracks chart and number 28 on the Scottish Singles Chart. The track entered several other international markets in late 2019, including number 32 on the UK Singles Chart, number 31 on the , and number 36 on the New Zealand Hot Singles chart.
CountryChartPeak Position
United StatesBillboard Digital Song Sales14
AustraliaARIA Digital Tracks22
ScotlandOfficial Scottish Singles (OCC)28
United KingdomUK Singles (OCC)32
CanadaBillboard Canadian Hot 10031
New ZealandRecorded Music NZ Hot Singles36
Overall, "Beautiful Ghosts" charted in several countries, with its performance largely attributed to strong initial digital upon release. As a promotional single, it did not receive sustained radio and thus did not appear on major radio-based charts.

Certifications

As of November 2025, "Beautiful Ghosts" has not received any major certifications from organizations such as the (RIAA) or the (BPI), consistent with its modest commercial footprint as a promotional single tied to the Cats. The song's digital were limited, peaking at number 14 on the Digital Song Sales chart and spending 12 weeks on the ranking, but failing to reach thresholds for or platinum status. The underperformance of the Cats film, which grossed $78.4 million worldwide against a of $95 million, contributed to the song's restrained sales figures compared to other promotional releases like "," which earned certifications in and elsewhere. By late 2025, streaming metrics show approximately 20 million plays on , underscoring its niche appeal without translating to official plaques or equivalent unit certifications.

Reception

Critical reception

Upon its release, "Beautiful Ghosts" received a mixed critical response, often praised for Taylor Swift's vocal performance and emotional resonance while facing criticism for its lyrical simplicity and perceived similarities to existing material from the Cats musical. Reviewers highlighted Swift's delivery as a standout element, with calling the track an "absolute showstopper" that showcases her haunting vocal abilities. Similarly, Vox commended the song for adding emotional depth to the protagonist Victoria's storyline, providing a poignant exploration of longing and belonging that enriches the film's narrative. described it as a "wistful new " that fits the theatrical style of the Cats adaptation, emphasizing its cinematic quality. Critics were less favorable toward the lyrics and overall originality, with Time Out dismissing "Beautiful Ghosts" as too modern-sounding and overplayed within the film's score. The New York Post labeled it a "boring 'Memory' copycat," critiquing lines like "A flicker of light before the dawning" as vapid echoes of the classic ballad's themes without sufficient innovation. In a 2022 ranking of Swift's soundtrack contributions, Business Insider placed "Beautiful Ghosts" at the bottom, faulting it for feeling unnecessary amid the film's poor reception and noting Swift's use of an affected English accent in the recording. The song's reception was influenced by the broader backlash against the Cats film, which earned a Metacritic score of 32 out of 100 based on 51 reviews, reflecting widespread disapproval of its execution. Despite this, Swift's vocals were frequently cited as a highlight, offering a moment of sincerity in an otherwise divisive project. Andrew Lloyd Webber, who co-wrote the music, later reflected in 2021 that collaborating with Swift on "Beautiful Ghosts" was "probably the enjoyable experience" from the production, praising her professionalism. Director Tom Hooper emphasized the track's importance in developing Victoria's character arc, integrating it to convey her isolation and growth within the story. Overall, the consensus leaned neutral, buoyed by the song's nominations but tempered by the movie's context.

Accolades

"Beautiful Ghosts" received multiple high-profile award nominations, recognizing Taylor Swift's contributions to the film's soundtrack despite the movie's mixed reception. The song was nominated for Best Original Song at the , with nominations announced on December 9, 2019; it lost to "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" from Rocketman. This marked Swift's third nomination in the category, following "" in 2013 and "" in 2014. At the held in 2021, "Beautiful Ghosts" earned a for Best Song Written for Visual Media, co-written with ; the award went to "" by and . This was Swift's fourth in the category, after winning for "Safe & Sound" in 2013, and nominations for "" in 2014 and "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" in 2018. Although it did not secure any wins, the nominations underscored a significant milestone in Swift's career within film music composition.
AwardCategoryResultYear
Best Original SongNominated2020
Best Song Written for Visual MediaNominated2021

Role in Cats

Performances in the film

In the 2019 film adaptation of Cats, "Beautiful Ghosts" is prominently featured as a solo performance by in the role of Victoria, the film's central white kitten protagonist. This sequence occurs early in the narrative, shortly after Victoria's abandonment on the streets of , where she encounters the tribe of for the first time. Sung softly while Hayward executes a poignant solo amid the foggy, nocturnal urban backdrop, the number establishes Victoria's backstory as a lost and isolated stray yearning for belonging and a sense of past memories, setting the emotional tone for her journey of integration into the group. The performance is seamlessly integrated with dance choreography crafted by , the film's overall choreographer, who emphasizes visual storytelling through fluid, expressive movements that convey Victoria's vulnerability and grace without overpowering the vocal delivery. Hayward, a with , leverages her classical training to blend song and in a manner that highlights the character's ethereal longing, making the sequence a standout moment of intimate emotional depth amid the film's more ensemble-driven numbers. This integration underscores the song's role in advancing the plot by humanizing Victoria and providing a quiet to the surrounding spectacle. Later in the film, a brief reprise of "Beautiful Ghosts" is performed by Judi Dench as Old Deuteronomy, the wise elder cat, in conjunction with Hayward's Victoria and Jennifer Hudson's Grizabella during the climactic resolution. This reprise, lasting under a minute, offers narrative closure by linking Victoria's initial isolation to the themes of redemption and community, reinforcing the film's arc toward collective acceptance and farewell. Notably, Taylor Swift's studio-recorded version of the song does not appear in the main body of the film but plays exclusively over the end credits, providing a reflective coda to the story.

Soundtrack inclusion

"Beautiful Ghosts" appears twice on the Cats: Highlights from the Motion Picture Soundtrack, a 16-track compilation released on December 20, 2019, by . The album features vocal performances by the film's cast, including , , , , and , set against an orchestral score. Francesca Hayward's rendition, subtitled "(Victoria's Song)" and running 2:49, serves as the film's in-story version and is positioned as track 8. Taylor Swift's 4:22 end-credits variant closes the album as track 16. The production was led by and , with additional contributions from and others. Swift's version was issued as a promotional single on November 15, 2019, to build anticipation for the film and . This early standalone release helped drive digital downloads for the track upon the soundtrack's debut.

Credits and personnel

Production credits

"Beautiful Ghosts" was written by , who provided the , and , who composed the music, marking a notable between the pop artist and the renowned composer. The song emerged from Webber's initial acoustic melody, which Swift adapted into during a collaborative session facilitated by the film's production. The production team included producers , , and director , with Wells also handling vocal production. This partnership underscored Swift and Webber's creative synergy, with no additional co-writers involved beyond the duo. The single was released under , a division of .
RolePersonnel
Lyrics
Music/Adaptation
Producers, ,
Vocal Production
Label/Universal

Musical personnel

The lead vocals for the soundtrack version of "Beautiful Ghosts" are performed by , while provides the vocals for the film's rendition of the song. The , led by Everton Nelson, features more than 30 musicians divided into strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion sections. Recording engineering was handled by Gus Pirelli, and the orchestra sessions were recorded at . Mixing was completed by , and mastering by Ryan Smith. The overall sessions took place in .

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
VariousNovember 15, 2019Digital download, streaming

References

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