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Beautiful Ghosts
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| "Beautiful Ghosts" | |
|---|---|
| Promotional single by Taylor Swift | |
| from the album Cats: Highlights from the Motion Picture Soundtrack | |
| Released | November 15, 2019 |
| Recorded | 2019 |
| Genre | Orchestral |
| Length | 4:21 |
| Label | Polydor |
| Composers | |
| Lyricist | Taylor 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 (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]| Country | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | November 15, 2019 | Polydor | [37] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Burlingame, Jon (October 24, 2019). "Taylor Swift and Andrew Lloyd Webber Have Co-Written a New Song for 'Cats'". Variety. Archived from the original on October 25, 2019. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
- ^ a b c Vlessing, Etan (October 24, 2019). "Andrew Lloyd Webber Talks Working With Taylor Swift on New 'Cats' Song". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 25, 2019. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (January 5, 2018). "Andrew Lloyd Webber Pens New Song for Possible Cats Film". Playbill. Archived from the original on October 25, 2019. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
- ^ a b Swift, Taylor (November 15, 2019). "The Importance of 'Cats,' in Taylor Swift's Own Words". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 16, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
- ^ Aniftos, Rania (November 15, 2019). "Taylor Swift Releases 'Beautiful Ghosts,' Co-Written With Andrew Lloyd Webber for 'Cats' Film". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 19, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
- ^ Swift, Taylor (November 15, 2019), "Taylor Swift - Beautiful Ghosts (From The Motion Picture "Cats" / Lyric Video)", YouTube, archived from the original on November 29, 2019, retrieved November 30, 2019
- ^ Rubin, Rebecca (October 12, 2021). "Andrew Lloyd Webber Says Writing a Song With Taylor Swift Was the Only Enjoyable Part of 'Cats' Movie". Variety. Archived from the original on October 13, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
- ^ "Taylor Swift "Beautiful Ghosts"". www.musicnotes.com. November 15, 2019. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
- ^ Lloyd Webber, Andrew [@OfficialALW] (November 18, 2019). "Thrilled at the reaction to "Beautiful Ghosts". This collaboration with @taylorswift13 has been a joy, one of the finest of my 50-year career" (Tweet). Retrieved November 23, 2019 – via Twitter.
- ^ Lloyd Webber, Andrew [@OfficialALW] (December 1, 2019). "Taylor's lyric for Beautiful Ghosts is brilliant and her emotional performance of our song must be among the very best I've ever had" (Tweet). Retrieved December 2, 2019 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b Aderoju, Darlene; Goldstein, Joelle (November 15, 2019). "Taylor Swift Shows Off Her Impressive Vocals in New Song 'Beautiful Ghosts' from Cats Musical Film". People. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
- ^ Dicker, Ron (November 15, 2019). "Taylor Swift's New Song For 'Cats' Is An Absolute Showstopper". HuffPost. Archived from the original on November 16, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
- ^ Bolaños, Jessica (November 15, 2019). "Taylor Swift's "Beautiful Ghosts" Lyrics Will Make You So Emotional". Elite Daily. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
- ^ Bolaños, Jessica (November 15, 2019). "Taylor Swift's "Beautiful Ghosts" From 'Cats' Shows Off Her English Accent". Elite Daily. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
- ^ Willman, Chris (November 15, 2019). "Taylor Swift Releases 'Beautiful Ghosts,' Her Andrew Lloyd Webber Collaboration for 'Cats'". Variety. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
- ^ Spanos, Brittany; Reeds, Ryan (November 15, 2019). "Hear Taylor Swift's New 'Cats' Soundtrack Song 'Beautiful Ghosts'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
- ^ Roth, Madeline (November 15, 2019). "Taylor Swift Drops Her Pitch-Purrfect Cats Ballad 'Beautiful Ghosts'". MTV. Archived from the original on November 16, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
- ^ Droke, Carolyn (November 19, 2019). "All The Best New Pop Music From This Week". Uproxx. Archived from the original on November 20, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ Feldman, Adam (November 15, 2019). "The Taylor Swift song from Cats has dropped and it's terrible". Time Out New York. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
- ^ Oleksinski, Johnny (November 15, 2019). "Taylor Swift's 'Beautiful Ghosts' is a boring 'Memory' copycat". New York Post. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
- ^ Thomas, Leah Marilla (November 18, 2019). "Taylor Swift's 'Cats' Song Is Here and There's Sooo Much to Unpack". Cosmopolitan. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
- ^ "Let Us Gather to Discuss Taylor Swift and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats Song". Vulture. December 9, 2019. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
- ^ Ahlgrim, Callie; Larocca, Courteney (June 26, 2022). "Taylor Swift's 8 soundtrack songs, ranked from worst to best". Insider. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ Hipes, Patrick (December 9, 2019). "Golden Globes Nominations". Deadline. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
- ^ Babiana, Ana Maria (December 9, 2019). "Nominations for the 77th Golden Globes Have Been Announced". Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
- ^ "Nominations Announced for the 28th Huading Awards -- "The Global Film Satisfaction Survey Release Ceremony"". Tyler Morning Telegraph. October 23, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
- ^ "2021 GRAMMYs: Complete Nominees List". GRAMMY.com. November 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ ""Beautiful Ghosts" (From The Motion Picture Cats) by Taylor Swift". Tidal. Archived from the original on November 16, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
- ^ "ARIA Australian Top 40 Digital Tracks" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. November 25, 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 23, 2019. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
- ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 13, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
- ^ "Greece Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 6, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. November 25, 2019. Archived from the original on November 22, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 22/11/2019 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
- ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart on 22/11/2019 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
- ^ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
- ^ "Beautiful Ghosts (From the Motion Picture "Cats") - Single by Taylor Swift on Apple Music". Apple Music. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
Beautiful Ghosts
View on GrokipediaProduction
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 Jennifer Hudson, James Corden, and Ian McKellen, under director Tom Hooper. Principal photography began on December 12, 2018, in London. Swift's role as the flirtatious red cat Bombalurina was confirmed on January 22, 2019.[6][7] To deepen the film's narrative, Hooper expanded the role of the white kitten Victoria—played by Royal Ballet principal Francesca Hayward—envisioning her as a central figure and commissioning a new song to introduce her perspective as an outsider among the Jellicle tribe.[8] 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.[8] 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.[8] 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 stray cats.[9] Reflecting on the partnership in a 2021 interview, Lloyd Webber described working with Swift as the most enjoyable aspect of the Cats production.[10]Writing and recording
The collaborative writing process for "Beautiful Ghosts" began during principal photography rehearsals for the Cats film in December 2018, when Andrew Lloyd Webber presented Taylor Swift with a piano 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.[11][12] Swift's studio recording took place in October 2019 at a North London facility, as documented in behind-the-scenes footage released by Universal Pictures, where she delivered vocals in a style evoking live performance intimacy from her ongoing stadium tours. The track was produced by Greg Wells, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and director Tom Hooper, who incorporated orchestral arrangements to enhance its sweeping, cinematic quality, emphasizing a poignant piano-led ballad structure that aligned with the film's fantastical yet melancholic tone.[13][14] For the film's on-screen rendition, principal ballerina Francesca Hayward, 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.[15][16]Composition and lyrics
Musical composition
"Beautiful Ghosts" is classified as an orchestral pop ballad lasting 4:21.[17][18] The song is composed in the key of E minor, with a tempo of approximately 63 beats per minute.[19][20] It begins in E minor before modulating to the parallel major (E major) for a brighter resolution in the chorus.[21] 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 piano, and a full orchestra, 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 protagonist lacks.[22] 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 London streets, yearning for the community and past experiences she observes in the other cats.[23] 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.[24] Taylor Swift 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 2019 interview: "What if you’ve got this little kitten that’s been deserted and kind of tossed out by her owners, and she’s had to wander around the streets of London wondering where she’s going to find a home."[25] This input underscores Victoria's emotional vulnerability, transforming the song into a poignant counterpoint to "Memory," where Swift imagined the young cat responding to the older one's lament by acknowledging her own barren past while grappling with hope.[22] 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 beauty in my memory"—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."[24] This progression mirrors broader themes in Swift's discography, 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.[23] 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.[22]Release
Commercial release
"Beautiful Ghosts" was released as a digital single on November 15, 2019, through Polydor Records, in anticipation of the film's December 20 premiere.[2][26] The track served as the lead promotional single from the *Cats: Highlights from the Motion Picture Soundtrack* album, which followed on December 20, 2019.[1][26] The single was made available exclusively in digital formats on major streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music, with no commercial physical releases produced.[27][28] This digital-first approach emphasized accessibility and aligned with promotion efforts to amplify the song's reach.[26] Polydor Records executed a global simultaneous release strategy for "Beautiful Ghosts," aiming to generate international buzz for the upcoming Cats film adaptation.[2][1]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.[29] The video, directed by Taylor Swift and featuring animated imagery inspired by the Cats universe, had amassed over 8 million views by November 2025.[30] This visual accompaniment highlighted Swift's ethereal performance against a backdrop of feline motifs, enhancing the song's thematic connection to the movie.[22] In October 2019, Entertainment Tonight premiered a behind-the-scenes recording video showcasing Swift collaborating with composer Andrew Lloyd Webber during the song's creation at Abbey Road Studios.[31] The featurette captured their songwriting process, with Webber providing piano accompaniment as Swift developed the lyrics, emphasizing the collaborative spark that produced the track.[32] 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 Instagram. Following the song's nomination for Best Original Song at the 77th Golden Globe Awards in December 2019, she celebrated the achievement on her Tumblr, describing the collaboration as one of her most fulfilling creative experiences.[33] 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.[34] 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.[10] This endorsement reinforced the track's artistic value amid the film's promotional tour.[35]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 soundtrack. In the United States, the song debuted and peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Digital Song Sales chart.[5] It also reached number 22 on the Australia Digital Tracks chart and number 28 on the Scottish Singles Chart.[36] The track entered several other international markets in late 2019, including number 32 on the UK Singles Chart, number 31 on the Canadian Hot 100, and number 36 on the New Zealand Hot Singles chart.[37][38]| Country | Chart | Peak Position |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Billboard Digital Song Sales | 14 |
| Australia | ARIA Digital Tracks | 22 |
| Scotland | Official Scottish Singles (OCC) | 28 |
| United Kingdom | UK Singles (OCC) | 32 |
| Canada | Billboard Canadian Hot 100 | 31 |
| New Zealand | Recorded Music NZ Hot Singles | 36 |
Certifications
As of November 2025, "Beautiful Ghosts" has not received any major sales certifications from organizations such as the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) or the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), consistent with its modest commercial footprint as a promotional single tied to the 2019 film Cats. The song's digital sales were limited, peaking at number 14 on the Billboard Digital Song Sales chart and spending 12 weeks on the ranking, but failing to reach thresholds for gold or platinum status.[5] The underperformance of the Cats film, which grossed $78.4 million worldwide against a production budget of $95 million, contributed to the song's restrained sales figures compared to other Taylor Swift promotional releases like "Sweeter Than Fiction," which earned certifications in Australia and elsewhere.[39] By late 2025, streaming metrics show approximately 20 million plays on Spotify, underscoring its niche appeal without translating to official plaques or equivalent unit certifications.[40]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 HuffPost calling the track an "absolute showstopper" that showcases her haunting vocal abilities.[41] 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.[22] Rolling Stone described it as a "wistful new ballad" that fits the theatrical style of the Cats adaptation, emphasizing its cinematic quality.[42] 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.[43] 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.[44] 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.[45] 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.[46] 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.[10] 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.[47] 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 77th Golden Globe Awards, with nominations announced on December 9, 2019; it lost to "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" from Rocketman.[48] This marked Swift's third nomination in the category, following "Safe & Sound" in 2013 and "Sweeter Than Fiction" in 2014.[49] At the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards held in 2021, "Beautiful Ghosts" earned a nomination for Best Song Written for Visual Media, co-written with Andrew Lloyd Webber; the award went to "No Time to Die" by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell.[50] [51] This was Swift's fourth nomination in the category, after winning for "Safe & Sound" in 2013, and nominations for "Sweeter Than Fiction" in 2014 and "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" in 2018.[52] Although it did not secure any wins, the nominations underscored a significant milestone in Swift's career within film music composition.[53]| Award | Category | Result | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Globe Awards | Best Original Song | Nominated | 2020 |
| Grammy Awards | Best Song Written for Visual Media | Nominated | 2021 |
Role in Cats
Performances in the film
In the 2019 film adaptation of Cats, "Beautiful Ghosts" is prominently featured as a solo performance by Francesca Hayward 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 London, where she encounters the tribe of Jellicle cats for the first time. Sung softly while Hayward executes a poignant ballet 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.[54] The performance is seamlessly integrated with dance choreography crafted by Andy Blankenbuehler, 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 principal dancer with the Royal Ballet, leverages her classical training to blend song and ballet 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 counterpoint to the surrounding spectacle.[55] 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.[56][57]Soundtrack inclusion
"Beautiful Ghosts" appears twice on the soundtrack album Cats: Highlights from the Motion Picture Soundtrack, a 16-track compilation released on December 20, 2019, by Polydor Records.[58] The album features vocal performances by the film's cast, including James Corden, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, Taylor Swift, and Rebel Wilson, set against an orchestral score.[59] 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.[59] Taylor Swift's 4:22 end-credits variant closes the album as track 16.[59] The production was led by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tom Hooper, with additional contributions from Greg Wells and others.[60] Swift's version was issued as a promotional single on November 15, 2019, to build anticipation for the film and album.[61] This early standalone release helped drive digital downloads for the track upon the soundtrack's debut.[62]Credits and personnel
Production credits
"Beautiful Ghosts" was written by Taylor Swift, who provided the lyrics, and Andrew Lloyd Webber, who composed the music, marking a notable collaboration between the pop artist and the renowned composer.[57][63] The song emerged from Webber's initial acoustic melody, which Swift adapted into lyrics during a collaborative session facilitated by the film's production.[55] The production team included producers Greg Wells, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and director Tom Hooper, with Wells also handling vocal production.[18] This partnership underscored Swift and Webber's creative synergy, with no additional co-writers involved beyond the duo.[1] The single was released under Polydor Records, a division of Universal Music Group.[64]| Role | Personnel |
|---|---|
| Lyrics | Taylor Swift |
| Music/Adaptation | Andrew Lloyd Webber |
| Producers | Greg Wells, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tom Hooper |
| Vocal Production | Greg Wells |
| Label | Polydor Records/Universal |
Musical personnel
The lead vocals for the soundtrack version of "Beautiful Ghosts" are performed by Taylor Swift, while Francesca Hayward provides the vocals for the film's rendition of the song.[65] The orchestra, led by Everton Nelson, features more than 30 musicians divided into strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion sections.[66] Recording engineering was handled by Gus Pirelli,[67] and the orchestra sessions were recorded at Abbey Road Studios. Mixing was completed by Serban Ghenea, and mastering by Ryan Smith.[64] The overall sessions took place in London studios.Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Various | November 15, 2019 | Digital download, streaming | Polydor Records |
