GH()ST

GH()ST, read as "ghost", is the main theme for Viola, from the video game Bayonetta 3. This theme is heavily inspired by alternative rock and likely tells the perspective of Viola as an thematically uncertain teenager, largely wrangled by the death of her mother and overwhelmed with the tasks forced upon her by events caused by the Singularity.

This angst seem to source from the course of Bayonetta 3's story, where Viola witnesses the destruction of her real mother before her eyes, and is plunged into a journey to prevent the same tragedies from happening to other universes. Specifically, the beginning of the track seems to describe Viola's inner thoughts while the Singularity is waging war on the β0 universe, which is the home to Viola's real mother (β0 Bayonetta) and Viola herself. It both discusses the emotions experienced from the trials Viola faces as a person exposed to this domestic ruin early in her life, as well as Viola's anxiousness for growing up to only be a shadow of her mother (a "ghost"; a "secret").

During the events of Bayonetta 3, Viola is consistently portrayed as a character in the shadow of Bayonetta. Any time Viola has a time in the spotlight, it is quickly nullified by other characters and events. Midway through the track, Viola seems to gain a source of focused confidence to change this. The chorus becomes targeted at Cereza ("I don't wanna be your ghost"), implying that Viola now wants to surpass the legacy of her mother, as β0 Bayonetta captured and destroyed after the beginning of the game. This is further corroborated with the stanzas "Can't repeat this nightmare, this misery" which indicates that Viola's journey into the multiverse to stop the Singularity from destroying other universes has started.

Despite the title of Bayonetta being handed down to Viola from a version of the main universe Bayonetta, Viola still has feelings of anxiety, saying that she hasn't been able to save herself even at the end of the track.

GH()ST is a phenomenal track that is exemplary of the amount of thought put into its lyrics, which has been a consistent boon for Bayonetta 3's original soundtrack thus far. GH()ST is sung by Mikaila Delgato of the Australian band Yours Truly. They are a clear showcase of the progression and intent of Viola's goals throughout the story of Bayonetta 3, and it is sung to an amazingly satisfying melody full of energy. I don't know how it took me this long to discover this song, but it has become one of my most played tracks of the year despite me only listening to it for about a month.

GH()ST

Lyrics	Notes	Comments
Warning signs are written on the wall, yeah In my head, I can't wrap around it all And the red that's been drippin' down on the edge For far too long It's what we're bleeding for	This describes the beginning of the game, with Viola not being able to make sense of the senseless ruin she experiences.
I don't wanna be a ghost and Don't wanna be a little secret My heart's sinking on the other side Trapped between the walls That you'll never find	This represents the sinking feeling Viola experiences while β0 Bayonetta fights off the Singularity, not knowing of what her own legacy will become in comparison.
My heart is buried in sinking sand My fate, my time slips right through my hands From the top of my lungs, I'm screamin', Speaking in tongues Why can't you hear me (Why can't you hear me?)	Viola has no one else to turn to once she is forced to flee her home universe, following the death of β0 Bayonetta.	This is my favorite stanza in the entire track. The detail of the lyrics paired with its effortless flow via Mikaila's vocals are outstanding.
I don't wanna be your ghost And don't wanna be your little secret All the hate grows inside of me These memories that I can't speak of	Viola doesn't want to become a mere knockoff version of her mother; she now plans to avenge her legacy.
I'm the ghost within you You're my history Begging to be free But you don't hear me	Viola seems to have a problem with her sense of identity, wanting to be broken free from her association with Bayonetta as a mere apprentice, despite her history.
Can't repeat this nightmare, this misery In a loop, it’s tearing apart at the seams In a loop, let's rewrite our history And time won't stop For now the fate's got me	Failing in the task to destroy Singularity would result in a replication of the tragedy that befell Viola's original universe.
I don't wanna be a ghost, and Can't have any unfinished business The world's weight is on my shoulders Set it free, the fire in me, that's trapped inside The fire that's trapped inside	This corroborates the newfound flame Viola has to break free from her chains and protect the multiverse.
My eyes are blinded, a clouded mind, And the storm inside me is ragin' wild, From the top of my tower, I'm waitin', Still is the air Why can't I save me? (Why can't I save me?)	And despite this flame to protect others, Viola still has to deal with her feelings of self-doubt and confidence.
I don't wanna be your ghost And don't wanna be your little secret All the hate grows inside of me These memories that I can't speak of
I'm the ghost within you You're my history Begging to be free But you don't hear me