Best Songs About Shipwreck
Accidents at sea, such as shipwrecks, are unfortunately not uncommon for mariners. The record of many shipwrecks, including the famous Titanic, has been preserved throughout history.
I do not doubt that the majority of us are familiar with this particular event. The risk of a shipwreck is greatest during times of high tide when it is more likely that you will collide with large rocks and lose control of your vessel.
Shipwrecks, in the same vein as the previous metaphor, can also be taken to signify a relationship that has ended. It is possible that this is a metaphor for a relationship that was easy going in the beginning but has become more difficult as time goes on (which is analogous to a storm in the sea).
It is possible that, if left uncontrolled, it will lead to a shipwreck, which would result in the end of that relationship.
This selection of songs about shipwrecks, which we have gathered with great care, includes historical mysteries and adventures as well as songs that we are already familiar with.
In either case, you are going to be captivated by the sheer number of songs that are out there that are about shipwrecks.
1. “Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot
It’ll be remiss of me if another came before this; Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald is one of my personal favourite songs about Shipwreck.
“Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” is one of the very few songs about shipwreck which was based on an actual event that ended in tragedy. On November 10, 1975, a freighter known as the SS Edmund Fitzgerald went down in the waters of Lake Superior, quite a distance from the lake’s shore.
As a direct consequence of this, all 29 of the crew members that were aboard the vessel perished. And despite the passage of several decades, this tragedy is still regarded as one of the most catastrophic shipwrecks in the annals of Great Lakes maritime history.
But that being said, if you want an in-depth history lesson on what actually took place on that calamitous day, you would be better off consulting an encyclopaedia or magazine than listening to this song. It will not give you the complete picture.
The “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” is a very lengthy piece, and while it does a good job of presenting the information, it is not entirely factual.
In addition, given that this is, in fact, a song, at various points, Gordon Lightfoot was logically more committed to the musical aesthetics than he was to precisely conveying particular facts.
However, this is acceptable taking into consideration that at the end of the day, his purpose was not so much to deliver a news broadcast as it was to release a true “folk song.” In fact, Mr. Lightfoot hails himself from the Great Lakes region.
As a consequence of this, he was privy to a great deal of local gossip concerning the catastrophe that was not covered by the more established forms of media. As a direct result of this, many of the lyrics have a sort of mystical or religious vibe to them.
2. “Sink the Bismarck” by Johnny Horton
The Bismarck was a magnificent ship that first set sail in the year 1939. Actually, it was a German battleship, and as the year suggests, it was consequently involved in World War II.
This is inferred by the fact that the year was specified. Not only was it the largest battleship in German history, but it was also the largest battleship in the history of Europe as a whole. This is another reason why it was so impressive; it was actually part of a pair that held this title.
In addition, it is important to note that Bismarck still maintains both of these characteristics at the time that this piece was written. Therefore, as we already know from the sinking of the Titanic, the loss of these renowned and massive warships can occasionally be comparable to a significant turning point in history.
In a manner similar to that of a folk ballad, this music chronicles the events leading up to the sinking of the Bismarck.
After Horton has established the setting in 1941 and mentioned how large and quick the Bismarck was, we will move on to the meat of the matter. And the primary contributor to that victory was a British battle cruiser by the name of the Hood.
3. “Titanic” by Juice WRLD
Another reason why this song makes our list of the most popular songs about shipwreck is because of its subject matter
This song’s title, “Titanic,” alludes to the infamous ship that bore the same name and sank in 1912, making it an important part of maritime history. To get to the heart of the matter, Juice WRLD is drawing parallels between his own life and a shipwreck.
And to be even more explicit, he portrays himself as someone who is kind and generous at their core, but who is trapped in a destructive way of life. In other words, despite the fact that he has noble goals, he finds himself mired in a pattern of actions that raises serious ethical concerns.
And once again, referring to the title of the song, he is aware that at the end of the day, the story of his life is not likely to end in a positive way. This is something that he is able to recognise.
4. “Seven Cities Of Gold” By Rush
To put this song into its appropriate historical context, the Seven Cities of Gold were mythical locations that were said to exist in the region that is now known as New Mexico.
These locations were said to be located in the southwestern United States. And in keeping with the connotations of their namesake, folklore asserted that the areas were abundant with precious minerals.
Bear in mind, as you have probably already deduced, that this took place way back in the 16th century, which corresponds to the age of European exploration into the New World.
People were willing to travel great distances, including the seas, just for the opportunity to conquer one of these cities, also known as looting. This song is built around such an overarching idea, which is why it is so catchy.
The album that this track was taken from is a conceptual one that is stated to be centred on “a young man’s quest to fulfil his ambitions.” This track was taken from that album.
According to the comprehensive analysis of the idea, the aforementioned person must serve as the song’s narrator in order for such to be the case.
5. “Shipwreck” By Ubiquitous Synergy
Shipwreck is meant to be interpreted as a metaphor for a life that has been ruined due to drug addiction. These verses discuss battling addiction and seeking out for assistance in the midst of that battle.
The verses that come before the chorus make reference to the process of taking baby steps toward recovery.
The chorus itself circles back around to both the maritime theme and the subject of drug usage. Before the chorus is repeated for the final time, there is a powerful buildup in the bridge about the sensation of the storm approaching.
The first step toward overcoming addiction is acknowledging that one does not have control over their addiction or compulsion.
This idea is repeated at many points during the song. If you’ve got a compilation of songs about shipwreck either on your smartphone on your car cd, then this song should not be missing in it.
