Ship of Fools (Erasure song)
Encyclopedia
"Ship of Fools" is a song by British synthpop
duo Erasure
, released in February 1988 as the duo's eighth single overall.
The song was issued by Mute Records
as the lead single from Erasure's third album The Innocents
(released eight weeks later in April 1988). It was not released as a single in the United States.
"Ship of Fools" marked Erasure's first release without record producer
Flood. Known for creating slick, pop-oriented production style, Stephen Hague
took over producing duties for The Innocents album. "Ship of Fools" also marks Erasure's first ballad
single-release. Its B-side, "When I Needed You", is also a ballad. Both tracks were written by Vince Clarke
and Andy Bell
.
Upon its release, "Ship of Fools" hit number six in the UK singles chart
, becoming the group's third consecutive Top 10 single (and fourth overall).
Synthpop
Synthpop is a genre of popular music that first became prominent in the 1980s, in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in progressive rock, electronic art rock, disco and particularly the "Kraut rock" of...
duo Erasure
Erasure
Erasure are an English synthpop duo, consisting of songwriter and keyboardist Vince Clarke and singer Andy Bell. Erasure entered the music scene in 1985 with their debut single "Who Needs Love Like That"...
, released in February 1988 as the duo's eighth single overall.
The song was issued by Mute Records
Mute Records
Mute is an independent record label based in the UK. It was founded in 1978 by Daniel Miller and featured several prominent musical acts on its roster such as Goldfrapp, Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Erasure and Fad Gadget.-Beginnings:...
as the lead single from Erasure's third album The Innocents
The Innocents (album)
After releasing The Two Ring Circus, a remix album in 1987, The Innocents was the third proper studio release from Erasure, released in 1988...
(released eight weeks later in April 1988). It was not released as a single in the United States.
"Ship of Fools" marked Erasure's first release without record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Flood. Known for creating slick, pop-oriented production style, Stephen Hague
Stephen Hague
Stephen Hague is an American music producer most active with various British acts in the 1980s. He was an influential figure in the synthpop movement.-Early career:...
took over producing duties for The Innocents album. "Ship of Fools" also marks Erasure's first ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
single-release. Its B-side, "When I Needed You", is also a ballad. Both tracks were written by Vince Clarke
Vince Clarke
Vince Clarke is an English synthpop musician and songwriter. Clarke has been involved with a number of successful groups, including Depeche Mode, Yazoo, The Assembly and Erasure....
and Andy Bell
Andy Bell (singer)
Andrew Ivan "Andy" Bell is the lead singer of the English synthpop duo Erasure. He also has a solo career, with the albums Non-Stop and Electric Blue.-Early life:Andy Bell originates from the Dogsthorpe area in Peterborough...
.
Upon its release, "Ship of Fools" hit number six in the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, becoming the group's third consecutive Top 10 single (and fourth overall).
12" single (12MUTE74)
- "Ship of Fools" (Shiver Me Timbers Mix)
- "River Deep, Mountain High" (Warm Depths Mix)
- "When I Needed You" (Melancholic Mix)
Limited 12" single (L12MUTE74)
- "Ship of Fools" (RC Mix)
- "River Deep, Mountain High" (Private Dance Mix)
- "When I Needed You"
CD single (CDMUTE74)
- "Ship of Fools" (Shiver Me Timbers Mix)
- "When I Needed You" (Melancholic Mix)
- "River Deep, Mountain High" (Private Dance Mix)
Chart performance
| Chart (1988) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| German Singles Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
9 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
6 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 44 |
| South African Singles Chart | 11 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 12 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
6 |