Whispers in the Walls by Lisa Sanders

As an adolescent, I lived in a house that seemed to have its own life. From the creaks in the floorboards to the strange sounds that resonated down the halls, it constantly felt like something—or someone—was watching me. These bizarre incidents lingered with me long after I left the house, and I realized that the memories of that location would haunt my creative soul indefinitely. That unsettling inspiration eventually became the basis for a song I wrote, one that captures the feelings, terror, and mystery I felt all those years before.

When I started writing the song’s lyrics, I intended to convey the spooky feelings I had as a young girl in that haunted house. The atmosphere of terror and disorientation I experienced, the shadows that appeared to dance just out of sight, and the sense of helplessness in the face of something far stronger than myself are all reflected in the song. It seemed alive, full of unspoken tales and mysteries, and it wasn’t just a house. Here’s a sneak peek at the lyrics inspired by these feelings.

The tone of anxiety is established in verse 1 with the fear of being awakened by whispering in the middle of the night. I can still recall those times when I was lying in bed, hearing unreal sounds yet feeling them with all of my senses. It seems as though there is no way out because of the walls crowding in and the shadows moving on their own. I was surrounded by fear like a thick blanket, and I never really got over it.

Verse 2 describes the sensation of being followed by someone invisible. The echoes of footsteps in the corridor, a cold sensation running down your spine as if someone—or something—was present but you couldn’t see it. I always felt watched, as if the walls themselves had eyes, and the scariest aspect was not knowing what would happen if I slipped up.

The Chorus is the heart of the song, in which I ponder on the house’s unwavering grip on me. It wasn’t just a haunted house in a creepy, mythical sense; it was an actual location with ghosts of twilight and gray. The wails and screams of the past appeared to reverberate in the air, as if the house was playing a game with me that I could never win. It seemed like I was stuck in a chess game, where I was always the pawn, helpless and inconsequential.

Verse 3 introduces the tangible manifestations of the haunting: rattling windows, slamming doors, and the unending darkness. I felt like there was nowhere to escape or hide. Those icy, invisible hands reaching from the bottom and the words pleading for more made me feel helpless and insignificant. The home seemed to be demanding my attention, drawing me into its twisted embrace.

Verse 4 depicts a rising sensation of imprisonment. Every corner held a fresh horror and a new secret. The thump of my heartbeat as I attempted to navigate the house served as a continual reminder that I was always on edge, racing against time and terror. But no matter where I turned, I couldn’t get away from the house’s merciless grasp; it was always in charge.

The Outro adds to the eerie mood, with flickering flames and murmurs twisting inside my dreams. This is where I consider the thought that the house wields power over me, locking me in an eternal loop. It reigns supreme in my memory, a place I can never leave, no matter how much time passes. It’s the ultimate twist, the house’s unbreakable grip on me, and it feels like it’ll never let go.

When I look back, I understand that those scary situations, although leaving me rattled, inspired something creative and long-lasting. This music allows me to process my concerns, transforming what was previously a source of anxiety into something artistic. It reminds me that even the most traumatic situations can shape who we are today.

So, while the mansion previously held me captive in dread, it now has a special place in my heart because it inspired my song. And, in some ways, it has finally allowed me to change roles—no longer the pawn, but the one who gets to tell the story.