“Ships” is a poignant ballad performed by Barry Manilow, known for its introspective lyrics and emotive melody.
Release Date: 1979
Background and Inspiration
“Ships” was written by Ian Hunter, the lead singer of Mott the Hoople, and originally appeared on his 1979 album You’re Never Alone with a Schizophrenic. Barry Manilow covered the song the same year for his One Voice album. The song is a reflective piece about Hunter’s relationship with his father, touching on themes of distance, reconciliation, and the passage of time.
Lyrics Overview
The lyrics of “Ships” express a longing to reconnect with a loved one after being apart. The imagery of ships passing in the night symbolizes the fleeting and often missed opportunities to truly connect with someone.
Lyrics
We walked to the sea, just my father and meAnd the dogs played around on the sandWinter cold cut the air, hangin’ still everywhereDressed in gray, did he say, “Hold my hand”I said, “Love’s easier when it’s far away”We sat and watched a distant light
We’re two ships that pass in the nightWe both smile and we say, “It’s alright”We’re still here, it’s just that we’re out of sightLike those ships that pass in the night
There’s a boat on the line where the sea meets the skyThere’s another that rides far behindAnd it seems you and I are like strangers a wide ways apartAs we drift on through timeHe said, “It’s harder now we’re far away”We only read you when you write
We’re two ships that pass in the nightAnd we smile when we say it’s alrightWe’re still here, it’s just that we’re out of sightLike those ships that pass in the night
We’re just ships that pass in the nightAnd we smile when we say it’s alrightWe’re still here, it’s just that we’re out of sightLike those ships that pass in the night
We’re just two ships that pass in the nightAnd we smile when we say it’s alrightWe’re still here, it’s just that we’re out of sight
