Ian Hunter, "Ships"

Hunter started writing "Ships" when he was with Mott The Hoople, but it didn't appear on vinyl until 1979 when he recorded it for his solo album You're Never Alone With A Schizophrenic; the song has been described as a hymn-like ballad about his relationship with his father.

Barry Manilow's version was a #9 US hit in 1979. Hunter recalled to Mojo magazine: "That whole Manilow thing was quite amusing. That guy's no slouch when it comes to arranging. His dad had died. . . . It worked out fine for him."