Released in 1970
Written by Pete Ham • Tom Evans • Mike 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
This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:
Sep 26, 1969
Officially appears on Come And Get It / Rock Of All Ages
Officially appears on Come And Get It / Rock Of All Ages
Officially appears on Magic Christian Music
“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.
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
LP • Released in 1970
3:42 • Studio version • A • Stereo • The precise extent of Paul’s contribution to this track remains unclear.
Tony Visconti : ProducerPerformed by : Pete Ham • Tom Evans • Mike Gibbins
SessionRecording : Sep 26, 1969 • Studio : IBC Studios • London • UK
Magic Christian Music (2010 remaster)
CD • Released in 2010
3:42 • Studio version • A2010 • Stereo • 2010 remaster. The precise extent of Paul’s contribution to this track remains unclear.
Tony Visconti : ProducerPerformed by : Pete Ham • Tom Evans • Mike Gibbins
SessionRecording : Sep 26, 1969 • Studio : IBC Studios • London • UK
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.
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