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Released in 1970

Crimson Ship

Written by Pete HamTom EvansMike Gibbins

Last updated on May 17, 2025


Album This song officially appears on the Magic Christian Music LP.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1970

Related session

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

Other songs by Badfinger

Crimson Ship” is a song written by Tom Evans, Pete Ham and Mike Gibbons that was first released on Badfinger’s 1970 album “Magic Christian Music.”

In 1969, Paul McCartney was asked to contribute three songs to the soundtrack of “The Magic Christian,” a new film starring Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr. Seeing an opportunity for The Iveys (soon to be renamed Badfinger), a Welsh-English rock band signed to Apple, Paul offered them one of his own compositions, “Come And Get It,” which they recorded on August 2, 1969 with him as producer.

Paul then had to convince Commonwealth United Films, the company producing “The Magic Christian,” that The Iveys could supply the other two tracks. He played them “Come and Get It,” which the company liked. They agreed to let The Iveys contribute two additional songs, provided Paul supervised the recordings. He then took on the role of producer for “Carry On Till Tomorrow” and “Rock of All Ages.”

The Iveys still had some studio time booked with Paul. They presented him with “Crimson Ship,” a track for which he gave them some advice, even if Tony Visconti was ultimately listed as producer for the track.


The Iveys had now completed their soundtrack obligations to Commonwealth United, but they still had more studio time booked with McCartney. Pete and Tom were riding high. Their enthusiasm inspired them to write a song about Paul. They came up with “Crimson Ship,” a metaphor for McCartney’s whirlwind recording lessons. They proudly played it for him and he liked it. He gave the band extended leeway to arrange the tune. Tom explained, “He took us through the stages to where we were doing a lot ourselves. He gave us the confidence.”

“Crimson Ship” is packed with references to Paul and The Beatles – most of the lyrics are Tom’s – and it’s fun picking them out. The first verse is the most telling, as it illustrates The Iveys fervent appreciation of Paul’s help:

From “Without You: The Tragic Story of Badfinger” by Dan Matovina, 1997

It is well documented that Paul McCartney was directly involved in the recording of “Come and Get It,” “Carry On Till Tomorrow,” and “Rock of All Ages” for Badfinger’s album “Magic Christian Music.”

In the book “The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present“, Paul includes a handwritten document that suggests he may have had a role in additional tracks from “Magic Christian Music.” The notes feature detailed diagrams of track layouts for “I’m In Love,” “Crimson Ship,” “Beautiful,” and “Blue, Midnight Sun.” He also sketched a rough version of a prominent visual element that would later appear on the album’s front cover.

While these documents indicate a deeper interest or involvement, the precise extent of Paul’s contribution to these additional songs remains unclear.

From “The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present“, 2021 – Recording notes from Badfinger’s album sessions for “Magic Christian”

Lyrics

My life was colored, painting pictures out of tune

You came from nowhere in a song

It might have been the way I laughed, he made the jokes

Could only show me what was wrong

He took me flying on his crimson ship

He never left me his number

He took me flying on his crimson ship

Then he was gone and I wondered

Who put the knots on all the crosses on the hill?

Why did the old man wash his hands?

Who grew the flower that was big enough to kill?

And blew the trumpet in the van, a-an

He took me flying on his crimson ship

He never left me his number

He took me flying on his crimson ship

Then he was gone and I wondered

Oh-oh, oh-oh

When they were busy throwing kisses at the moon

A father lost his mother's son

And though they knew the resurrection would be soon

The time was spent, they carried on, o-on

He took me flying on his crimson ship

He never left me his number

He took me flying on his crimson ship

Then he was gone and I wondered

Wondered wondered wondered

Variations

Officially appears on


Going further

Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989

With 25 albums of pop music, 5 of classical – a total of around 500 songs – released over the course of more than half a century, Paul McCartney's career, on his own and with Wings, boasts an incredible catalogue that's always striving to free itself from the shadow of The Beatles. The stories behind the songs, demos and studio recordings, unreleased tracks, recording dates, musicians, live performances and tours, covers, events: Music Is Ideas Volume 1 traces McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1970 to 1989 in the form of 346 song sheets, filled with details of the recordings and stories behind the sessions. Accompanied by photos, and drawing on interviews and contemporary reviews, this reference book draws the portrait of a musical craftsman who has elevated popular song to an art-form.

Buy on Amazon

Paul McCartney writing

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