Erasure - Ship Of Fools | Song Analysis

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  • Опубліковано 11 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 91

  • @VaughnGeorge
    @VaughnGeorge  8 місяців тому +12

    Full analysis and demonstration of the song structure and chords of "Ship Of Fools" by Erasure from the Innocents album, released in September 1988.

    • @vsevolod20
      @vsevolod20 8 місяців тому

      Released in September 1988? Not in April?

    • @HJPhilippi
      @HJPhilippi 8 місяців тому +1

      @@vsevolod20 Yes, „The Innocents“ was released in April and „Ship of Fools“ in February 1988. I remember exactly where I was and what I did back then and how this song hit me… To me, it’s an undying monument of a song and a cornerstone of my history.

  • @micmarkno
    @micmarkno 8 місяців тому +7

    Very nice interpretation!
    I absolutely agree, it is one of ERASURE's most beautiful songs - I love it!

    • @VaughnGeorge
      @VaughnGeorge  8 місяців тому +1

      Thank you so much !! VG 😎🎹👍

  • @johnathanellis9010
    @johnathanellis9010 8 місяців тому +4

    Ship of fools and Blue Savannah always put me in a great mood

  • @johannmarcelo2865
    @johannmarcelo2865 8 місяців тому +2

    Ship Of Fools is my favourite Erasure song along with Crown Of Thorns from Wild!, two brilliant ballads, but the first one hypnotized me so deep when I heard for the first time, one of the most beautiful melodies I've ever heard, I absolutely love

  • @pierrepy2931
    @pierrepy2931 8 місяців тому +6

    Without any doubt me fav Erasure song

  • @theoldloveexcuse7860
    @theoldloveexcuse7860 8 місяців тому +2

    Ship of fools is an old favourite. It translates very well to acoustic guitar aswell. Beautiful song.

  • @peterracz8410
    @peterracz8410 8 місяців тому +5

    Yes, Sometimes is my favourite Erasure song!

  • @skroll71
    @skroll71 8 місяців тому +3

    I actually started with Erasure, then discovered VC, then Yazoo and then, finally, DM!!
    Looking back at that journey today, it is just - wow! (Yes - I am from the DM/Erasure «top days»)
    I love how you break down the songs. It is so inspiring!

    • @VaughnGeorge
      @VaughnGeorge  8 місяців тому

      Hello to you Sir! Thank you fro your message and your kind words!! I am happy you enjoyed it!! VG :)

  • @valdaskmita2643
    @valdaskmita2643 8 місяців тому +2

    This is one of my favorite Erasure songs. I'm not a very emotional person, but I often find myself in tears when I listen to this song. Great review! Your version of this song is very beautiful.

    • @VaughnGeorge
      @VaughnGeorge  8 місяців тому +1

      🙏 thank you ! I appreciate your compliment and a share your passion for this song!! VG🎹😎

  • @mrmitchell78
    @mrmitchell78 8 місяців тому +1

    A great sign of a band’s/artist’s output for me is when I’m asked what my favourite song of theirs is, it changes regularly. If anyone likes music they should like Erasure.

  • @HJPhilippi
    @HJPhilippi 8 місяців тому +2

    I think the similarity between Erasure and DM is some special sort of melancholy many of their songs have. With DM, it’s more obvious, because of the arrangements and sounds. With Erasure, it’s more subtle. But IMO that’s the reason why so many Goths do hear the (seemingly) colorful and poppy Erasure stuff!

  • @FrankieTeardrop1998
    @FrankieTeardrop1998 6 місяців тому +3

    My favourite Erasure song.

  • @takeontechnology
    @takeontechnology 8 місяців тому +2

    Thank you, Vaughn for a moving performance on this song! Wow. It brings back so many memories. The essence really comes through that much more without all of the synthesizers (not to say it wasn't innovative). Why is music of this time just so evocative and deeply emotional?

  • @kevinspencer516
    @kevinspencer516 8 місяців тому +3

    Saw them on this tour. Was probably 16 or 17 ish? Birmingham NEC. Remember it like it was yesterday because it was my first proper concert. This album will always have a special place in my heart.

  • @Cl4rendon
    @Cl4rendon 8 місяців тому +3

    Thank you so much Vaughn for covering my also very favorite Erasure song.
    I joined in singing the whole way myself!

  • @supergeorge72
    @supergeorge72 8 місяців тому +2

    0:10 Nice intro, sounds amazing. Great analysis. Erasure, great band.

  • @leuk146
    @leuk146 8 місяців тому +1

    Awesome Vaughn. I think it's a great idea having this channel be more widespread now that you have the Depeche Mode Hub as well. Your input on any and all music is always enjoyable.

    • @VaughnGeorge
      @VaughnGeorge  8 місяців тому +1

      That's the plan! Glad you like the format !! Thank you my friend!! VG :-)

  • @wabi.sabi_
    @wabi.sabi_ 8 місяців тому +1

    Ship of Fools was the most played song in my UA-cam recap last year! Simply beautiful 💙

  • @hooikaika69
    @hooikaika69 8 місяців тому +1

    I love Erasure. I love this song too. Near the end of this song, Andy Bell actually sings:
    why is life so fragile and so cruel? Instead of why is life so precious and cruel. That sometimes throws me off when I try to sing along. I really would like you to do more Erasure songs. Andy Bell's voice is one of my faves. I love so many songs of theirs. Circus, Sometimes, A Little Respect, Who Needs Love Like That, Chorus, Oh Lamour... but my fave is Chains of Love. Good job on this breakdown. Looking forward to more. One thing I really enjoy in your Depeche Mode breakdowns is when you reproduce the synth sounds on the keyboard and break it down. Also I love how you analyze the lyrics and try to interpret what they mean. Thanks.

  • @jamesmincher3435
    @jamesmincher3435 8 місяців тому +4

    Learnt the intro on keyboard bout year ago to this song was quite chuffed with myself lol

  • @davieandpambeveridge3040
    @davieandpambeveridge3040 8 місяців тому +1

    By far, my favourite Erasure track

  • @syracusemusic1539
    @syracusemusic1539 8 місяців тому +6

    Beautiful song Innocents is my favourite album.

  • @ondinamc
    @ondinamc 8 місяців тому

    One of my faves as well! Vivid memory of their performance of this when I saw the Phantasmagorical tour.

  • @Tr0n-1-CZ
    @Tr0n-1-CZ 8 місяців тому +1

    For me also the most favourite Erasure song. I think besides quite original but simple melody is for me most appealing the heavy synthesizers as bass. And thats what I love about DM songs too.

  • @MattHalpain
    @MattHalpain 8 місяців тому

    Beautiful rendition of Erasure Ship of Fools. Thank you, Vaughn.

  • @antonyhudson5029
    @antonyhudson5029 8 місяців тому +3

    Love this track

  • @dafunkester
    @dafunkester 4 місяці тому +1

    Amazing performance thanks for sharing VG.

  • @Suspended4thYT
    @Suspended4thYT 2 місяці тому

    It really is a simple track to master. I think this was probably the first "modern pop song" I learned to play without reading it out of a book, 35 years ago in high school.
    When listening to the original song on headphones, you can't help notice the amount of counter melody in the track. VERY CONTRAPUNTAL, as my old music teacher would say. When you listen to either of the official 12" mixes, it really highlights the number of different melodies that sit underneath the vocal track. Just great songwriting.

    • @VaughnGeorge
      @VaughnGeorge  2 місяці тому

      Yep!I It is pop music after all ! Simple yet affective. VG :-)

  • @ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣΤ-β6σ
    @ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣΤ-β6σ 8 місяців тому +6

    Very melodic song!
    What about "sometimes"?

  • @mikeL65000
    @mikeL65000 8 місяців тому

    Nice! One of my favorite Erasure songs from one of my favorite Erasure albums.

  • @jounikainulainen7625
    @jounikainulainen7625 8 місяців тому +3

    This is one of my favorite songs. 👍🙂

    • @VaughnGeorge
      @VaughnGeorge  8 місяців тому

      You have good taste !! VG :-)

  • @cristianstocker6736
    @cristianstocker6736 8 місяців тому

    A very nice interpretation Vaughn. You sound Andy like and you are very talented at imitating other artist’s voices.

  • @m.stimson3829
    @m.stimson3829 8 місяців тому +2

    2:29 Cool, C, Am, F, Dm, G, I wish I still playing songs 🎵 like 🎶 this [again]( actually I used to play guitar), well thank you so much Vaughn... p.s. every time I the Erasure, I usually think of the song called: A Little Respect but I think would of overlooked as a connect with Depeche mode (because of Vince Clark)... and BTW I think this is an excellent song 🎵 😀 Thank 👏 you for sharing (I love it already)❤.

  • @sageril12
    @sageril12 8 місяців тому +2

    Amazing song…

  • @MrChavochin
    @MrChavochin 8 місяців тому +3

    Cool!! I love this song!!!❤

  • @benchmark76
    @benchmark76 8 місяців тому +1

    Lovely song with lots of goodebumps memories back in the days❤️

  • @berlinsneakerz
    @berlinsneakerz 8 місяців тому +3

    Lovely pick!

  • @michaelkuchenbecker1688
    @michaelkuchenbecker1688 8 місяців тому

    In the verses it's actually A MAJOR, that's what makes it special.

  • @robastle7112
    @robastle7112 8 місяців тому

    Erasure is one of my favs. I believe it’s partially because of my gratitude and respect for Vince Clarke and his talent, creativity and genius. I actually do see the connection between DM and Erasure, especially when you listen to early DM and Vince’s influence. You can see it in Yaz as well. It’s interesting, when you played the intro to “Ship of Fools” I could almost envision it as an early DM song. I believe Vince did have an influence on Martin. Even now you see it come out in “Precious” and “Ghost Again”, etc. These songs almost have a Vincesque sound to them and you’ve even mentioned how “Ghost Again” doesn’t follow conventional DM sound and patterns. That said, I can’t completely separate Erasure and DM because of Vince’s enduring influence. The first album “Speak and Spell” was so impactful that I can still feel and hear the influence till this day. Thanks for reviewing “Ship of Fools”! One of the best. “Phantom Bride” to me is right up there too. 🤙🏻

  • @rodrigonomadesfilms6507
    @rodrigonomadesfilms6507 8 місяців тому +2

    Una cancion simple pero que sigue siendo hermosa con el pasar del tiempo.

    • @VaughnGeorge
      @VaughnGeorge  8 місяців тому

      Indeed ! Thank you Sir!! VG :-)

  • @terratonic
    @terratonic 8 місяців тому +1

    Oh good choice of song, absolutely love this erasure gem :)

  • @leenewcome85
    @leenewcome85 8 місяців тому

    Great track you played it very well VG ....... 😊

  • @pablo3349
    @pablo3349 8 місяців тому +4

    I am erasure & depeche m fan , pet shop boys and OMD too 😅...

    • @hooikaika69
      @hooikaika69 8 місяців тому +2

      Same here. Along with New Order, The Smiths, The Cure, Human League, Thompson Twins, Howard Jones...Just so many awesome 80's artists.

  • @jamesspear9711
    @jamesspear9711 8 місяців тому

    Thanks Vaughn, great interpretation. Been a big fan of Erasure and Depeche Mode since the mid 90's and both now have a staggering array of songs over 30 and 40+ years respectively. I've noticed they've even swapped song titles over the years as well 😂. Would you ever consider doing an Erasure album review series or at least a few more piano interpretations of their songs?

    • @VaughnGeorge
      @VaughnGeorge  8 місяців тому

      Cool, thanks! I appreciate that!! VG :-)

    • @jamesspear9711
      @jamesspear9711 8 місяців тому

      @VaughnGeorge That's cool. Do you reckon you will continue with the Depeche Mode album review series post Alan Wilder with Ultra or will you not rate that album because it's no good?

  • @linobianchi7728
    @linobianchi7728 8 місяців тому

    U're wright VG. I love DM but on the podium there are also Erasure and Pet Shop Boys!

  • @FredrikAndersson597
    @FredrikAndersson597 8 місяців тому +1

    Vince Clarke and his various musical projects initially belonged to the same category of music as Depeche Mode, the same genre of synthpop, so to speak.
    Depeche of course took a slightly different, darker, musical direction than Erasure, but the interest in Vince Clark's music and projects remained. Therefore, many Early Depeche fans can easily relate to V Clark's type of music and melodies. As a Depeche Mode fan in the 80s, it was natural to also follow Vince with first Yazoo and then Erasure.
    There was a time in the mid-80s when I myself had a hard time deciding which of Depeche or Yazoo/Erasure I appreciated the most. After that, my personal taste in music went more towards Depeche and progressively less towards Erasure. The last Erasure record I bought was I say I say I say. After that record, I thought the quality dropped quite drastically, whereupon the interest in Erasure completely disappeared. I've also never been that fond of A Bell's and thus Erasure's feminine image and appearance.
    I like the sound-wise more serious records like The Innocent with A little respect and Ship of fools, as well as Yazoo's two records that feel more serious in sound than what Erasure gradually developed into.

  • @HenningUhle
    @HenningUhle 8 місяців тому

    With "Ship of Fools" an actually with the whole "The innocents" album, Erasure showed the world how to produce catchy songs with serious content. "Ship of Fools" will always remain as one of my favorite songs of all time. How to deal with the reality of being gay may not have been easy in Great Britain. This is what I condense out of the lyrics. And by the way, nice interpretation of this awesome song.

  • @SandroRMontenegro
    @SandroRMontenegro 8 місяців тому

    Muito legal seu vídeo 😁👍 Erasure tem muitos fans no Brasil.

    • @VaughnGeorge
      @VaughnGeorge  8 місяців тому

      Sending lots of love to you and all the Erasure fans in Brazil !! Lots of love and thank you my brother !! VG :-)

  • @michaelwilson2340
    @michaelwilson2340 6 місяців тому +1

    It has to be freeing to be able to play and sing at the same time? I certainly can't. Erasure reminds me of the good old 80's and very early 90's when keyboards ruled the world. Have you ever done an episode on Cabaret Voltaire? I'm interested on any views you may have on their career, the late Richard H. Kirk, and their switch to house/club music in 1990.

    • @VaughnGeorge
      @VaughnGeorge  6 місяців тому +1

      Thank you for your kind words and for your video suggestion my friend ! VG 😎🎹👍

  • @runoneman
    @runoneman 8 місяців тому +1

    I like Erasures music. At yhe top, it would have to be Oh L'Amour. Innocents is my favorite album of theirs.

  • @peterracz8410
    @peterracz8410 8 місяців тому +1

    Thanks for the video. Again I think your voice is very similar to Andy Bell's. 😉

    • @VaughnGeorge
      @VaughnGeorge  8 місяців тому

      That's a huge compliment. VG :-)

  • @sawilliams
    @sawilliams 5 місяців тому

    @VaughnGeorge what is your favorite Erasure song?

  • @hakanostman896
    @hakanostman896 8 місяців тому +2

    Hi enjoy your analysis, can you please analyse Breath of life😊

    • @VaughnGeorge
      @VaughnGeorge  8 місяців тому

      Great choice !! Thank you! VG :-)

  • @t.s.8783
    @t.s.8783 8 місяців тому

    Well done. Your voice Sounds a little bit like Andys voice for me. But i can't better explain it, i'm not a musician.
    I love depeche and Erasure too and I really dont now why. 😄
    My favorite Albums are "The innocents" and "Chorus".

  • @maximilianolopez6644
    @maximilianolopez6644 8 місяців тому

    Its Oh what a poor soul instead of Oh what a fool...My favourite song of The Innocents but prefer the Shiver Me Timbers Mix with the instrumental intro. Great analysis!

  • @chibuzoakobundu8264
    @chibuzoakobundu8264 8 місяців тому

    One of my favorite songs by Erasure besides my other favorite by them "chains of love." Orbital made a great remix of "Ship of fools" and it's my usual preferred method of listening to the track. ua-cam.com/video/NdVMtgricME/v-deo.htmlsi=R3bqwZQd0Ic7C6yC. It is a great track. I bought their album just for this track back in the day.

  • @vladimirpolakovic1110
    @vladimirpolakovic1110 19 днів тому

    Rad som to hraval

  • @hakasuro
    @hakasuro Місяць тому

    What`s up with the left hand middle finger?

    • @VaughnGeorge
      @VaughnGeorge  Місяць тому

      I have no idea - You tell me! VG :-P

  • @Mario-xr3jo
    @Mario-xr3jo 2 місяці тому

    Where's that promised ABBA songs analysis, my friend, eh?

  • @gloraditch6915
    @gloraditch6915 8 місяців тому

    I remember it as being a soulful ballad song...think it was about a young, gay man who passed away? My favorite song ballad of theirs is 'How Many Times'

  • @mikemeengs5720
    @mikemeengs5720 8 місяців тому

    Have you heard the AI-created "Depeche Mode song" yet?

  • @leagreenall5972
    @leagreenall5972 3 місяці тому

    I saw Erasure in concert on the Innocents tour in the UK 1988.
    You should listen to Thierry Meignan's instrumental of Ship of Fools;
    ua-cam.com/video/Lza2PlzQOSQ/v-deo.html

  • @pvdmarch
    @pvdmarch 8 місяців тому +1

    You almost hit the notes 😬

  • @IainJohnson-l2k
    @IainJohnson-l2k 8 місяців тому

    This was the era when Erasure were good … The Innocents / Chorus … sadly they’ve been meh for many years … Ship of fools is excellent alongside A little respect 👍

  • @IainJohnson-l2k
    @IainJohnson-l2k 8 місяців тому

    This was the era when Erasure were good … The Innocents / Chorus … sadly they’ve been meh for many years … Ship of fools is excellent alongside A little respect 👍

  • @IainJohnson-l2k
    @IainJohnson-l2k 8 місяців тому +5

    This was the era when Erasure were good … The Innocents / Chorus … sadly they’ve been meh for many years … Ship of fools is excellent alongside A little respect 👍

    • @HJPhilippi
      @HJPhilippi 8 місяців тому

      Agreed. The first three albums were gigantic, the next three good and from then on they just repeated themselves in my ears.