Ships - Barry Manilow (1979) 7/25/22

What fascinates me the most about today's "Great Song of 1979," is how it resonated so similarly between the man who wrote and originally recorded it...and the man who made it a hit.

Ian Hunter from the British rock group Mott the Hoople wrote "Ships" about a father and son who, as years pass, begin to drift apart--telling themselves that everything is still "okay," even though they're like ships passing in the night. Most people agree the song was autobiographical.

Unfortunately, Ian's version (from his solo album "You're Never Alone with a Schizophrenic") didn't chart.

Barry Manilow, however, took his cover version to #4 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart and #9 on the Hot 100...and it was DEFINITELY autobiographical.

Instead of me capsulizing the story, here's how Casey Kasem told it on the October 27th, 1979 edition of American Top 40:

"Barry's father had been absent from his life since the age of two. Following a concert 30 years later in 1975, Barry 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."

After that jaw dropper, it's no wonder Barry recorded the song.

"Ships:" a very personal "Great Song of 1979" written by Ian Hunter, and a hit by Barry Manilow.

Barry:

Ian: