Barry Manilow’s “Ships”: A Heartfelt Ballad of Reconnection and Reflection
When Barry Manilow released “Ships” as the lead single from his sixth studio album One Voice in 1979, it quickly became one of the standout tracks of his illustrious career. Peaking at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and climbing to number 4 on the Adult Contemporary chart, the song resonated deeply with listeners, not just for its beautiful melody and arrangement, but for the poignant story behind its selection by Manilow himself.
Originally written and recorded by British singer-songwriter Ian Hunter, “Ships” is a tender ballad about the complicated emotions that come with reuniting with a long-lost loved one. When Manilow decided to cover the song, he brought his own deeply personal connection to the lyrics, infusing the track with a sense of vulnerability and longing that struck a chord with his audience. Manilow’s version also found international success, charting at number 28 in Canada and number 78 in Australia, further proving its universal appeal.
Cash Box, a leading music publication of the time, praised Manilow’s rendition, noting that he used a slightly different arrangement from Hunter’s original. The publication lauded Manilow’s vocal performance, stating that his “vocals have never been better” and that the instrumentals were “handled with the utmost taste.” This praise was a testament to Manilow’s ability to take a song and make it entirely his own, while still honoring the original composition.
The story of how “Ships” came into Manilow’s life is as touching as the song itself. On an American Top 40 broadcast in October 1979, host Casey Kasem revealed the reason behind Manilow’s choice to record the song. It was a deeply personal decision tied to a surprising and emotional event in Manilow’s own life. His father had been absent since Manilow was just two years old. Then, in 1975, after one of his concerts, a man entered Manilow’s dressing room and introduced himself as his father. This unexpected encounter, after so many years apart, profoundly affected Manilow and undoubtedly influenced his heartfelt delivery of “Ships”. The song’s lyrics about distant connections and the hope for reconciliation resonated on a personal level for the singer, making it not just another ballad but a reflection of his own life experiences.
“Ships” stands out as one of Barry Manilow’s most emotionally charged performances, a song that transcends its time on the charts to become a timeless piece of music history. The combination of Ian Hunter’s evocative songwriting and Manilow’s powerful, personal interpretation resulted in a track that still moves listeners today. It’s a reminder of the power of music to connect us with our own stories, to heal old wounds, and to bring us closer to those we love, even across the vast oceans of time and distance.