Ships (song)

"Ships" is a song written and originally performed by British musician Ian Hunter. The song was first released on Hunter's fourth solo album, You're Never Alone with a Schizophrenic in 1979.[1] The song is said to be about Hunter's relationship with his father.[2]

"Ships"
Song by Ian Hunter
from the album You're Never Alone with a Schizophrenic
Released1979 (1979)
Length4:11
LabelChrysalis
Songwriter(s)Ian Hunter
Producer(s)Mick Ronson, Ian Hunter
"Ships"
Single by Barry Manilow
from the album One Voice
B-side"They Gave in to the Blues"
ReleasedOctober 1979 (1979)
Length4:06
LabelArista
Songwriter(s)Ian Hunter
Producer(s)Barry Manilow, Ron Dante
Barry Manilow singles chronology
"Somewhere in the Night"
(1978)		 "Ships"
(1979)		 "When I Wanted You"
(1979)

Barry Manilow cover

"Ships" was later recorded by singer Barry Manilow for his sixth studio album, One Voice. It was the first of three singles released from the LP, all of which became U.S. Top 40 hits.

Manilow's rendition of "Ships" peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100[3] and number 4 on the Adult Contemporary chart.[4] His version also charted at number 78 in Australia and number 28 in Canada.

Casey Kasem reported on the American Top 40 broadcast of October 27, 1979, the reason that Manilow selected this song to record. His father had been absent from his life since the age of two. Following a concert 30 years later in 1975, Manilow was changing clothes in his dressing room. An unknown man entered his room, telling him simply, "I'm your father. I enjoyed the concert and would like to see you again." He then left.

Charts
Year-end chart (1980)Rank
US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)[5] 98

References
  1. "You're Never Alone with a Schizophrenic - Ian Hunter - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  2. "Ships by Ian Hunter". Songfacts. Songfacts, LLC. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  3. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  4. Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 156.
  5. "1980 Talent in Action – Year End Charts : Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 92 no. 51. December 20, 1980. p. TIA-10. Retrieved 5 April 2020.


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