Ship of Fools (Erasure song)

Infobox Single |
Name = Ship of Fools


Caption =
Artist = Erasure
from Album = The Innocents
B-side = "When I Needed You", "River Deep, Mountain High"
Released = February 22, 1988
Format = 12", 7", CD
Recorded = 1987
Genre = Synthpop
Length = 4:01
Label = Mute
Writer = Vince Clarke, Andy Bell
Producer = Stephen Hague, Dave Jacob
Certification =
Last single = "The Circus"
(1987)
This single = "Ship of Fools"
(1988)
Next single = "Chains of Love"
(1988)

"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 in the UK and most of Europe 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).

Track listings

7" single (MUTE74)

# "Ship of Fools"
# "When I Needed You"

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