The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Walking with a Ghost" by the artist "White Stripes, The"

The song "Walking with a Ghost" by The White Stripes depicts the aftermath of a painful breakup. The "ghost" symbolizes the protagonist's former lover, who continues to haunt his thoughts and emotions despite being gone.

The line "no matter how you step, no matter how you leave" conveys a sense of desperation and hopelessness: the protagonist realizes that any outcome – the ex-lover's presence or absence – will cause him pain. The repetition of "you're out of my mind, out of my mind" emphasizes his obsession with her and the growing feeling of insanity.

The plea "please, please, don't be real" is addressed both to the "ghost" and to himself, reflecting the protagonist's desire to escape the tormenting memories. The repetition of "I've been walking with a ghost" amplifies the feeling of loneliness and his inability to let go of the past. The gradual fading of the lyrics, culminating in the endless repetition of "I've been walking with a ghost," indicates his descent into despair and obsession.