Studio Album · No. 11
The Last Ship Songwriting Credits by Sting
Produced by Sting, Rob Mathes · Engineered by Donal Hodgson, Peter Cobbin, Jonathan Allen, Scott Hull
A&M Records
Folk rockCelticSea shanty
100%
Authorship
Holds writing credit on 12 of 12 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 12 / 12 documented
Who wrote the songs?
Scored across the 12 tracks with documented writers, by whether Sting carries a lyricist or composer credit.
12 trackswritten by Sting
0 tracksoutside writers
Sting's roles on this album
Share of the 12 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer100%
Performer100%
By the Numbers
12
Tracks
9
Lyricists
2
Producers
2013
Released
Data Insight
The Last Ship is fully self-written, a return to original songwriting after several interpretive and orchestral projects. Every song is Sting's own, written for and inspired by his stage musical about the shipbuilding community of Wallsend where he grew up. Produced with Rob Mathes, the album draws on folk, Celtic, and sea-shanty traditions.
Track Listing & Credits 12 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Last Ship
|
Sting | Sting | StingRob Mathes | Sting (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
Dead Man's Boots
|
Sting | Sting | StingRob Mathes | Sting (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
And Yet
|
Sting | Sting | StingRob Mathes | Sting (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
August Winds
|
Sting | Sting | StingRob Mathes | Sting (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
Language of Birds
|
StingRob Mathes | StingRob Mathes | StingRob Mathes | Sting (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
Practical Arrangement
|
StingRob Mathes | StingRob Mathes | StingRob Mathes | Sting (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
The Night the Pugilist Learned How to Dance
|
Sting | Sting | StingRob Mathes | Sting (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Ballad of the Great Eastern
|
StingRob MathesDominic MillerKathryn TickellJo LawryPeter TickellIra Coleman | StingRob MathesDominic MillerKathryn TickellJo LawryPeter TickellIra Coleman | StingRob Mathes | Sting (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
What Have We Got?
|
StingJimmy NailKathryn TickellPeter TickellJulian SuttonJo Lawry | StingJimmy NailKathryn TickellPeter TickellJulian SuttonJo Lawry | StingRob Mathes | Jimmy Nail |
| 10 |
I Love Her But She Loves Someone Else
|
StingRob Mathes | StingRob Mathes | StingRob Mathes | Sting (Lead Vocals) |
| 11 |
So to Speak
|
Sting | Sting | StingRob Mathes | Becky Unthank |
| 12 |
The Last Ship (Reprise)
|
Sting | Sting | StingRob Mathes | Sting (Lead Vocals) |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 10 contributors
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Frequently Asked Questions The Last Ship
Did Sting write The Last Ship himself?
Yes. The Last Ship is fully self-written, with every song an original Sting composition. It marked his return to writing original material after several covers and orchestral projects.
What is The Last Ship by Sting about?
The Last Ship contains songs written for and inspired by Sting's stage musical of the same name. The music draws on the shipbuilding heritage of Wallsend, the English town where he grew up.
Is The Last Ship by Sting connected to a musical?
Yes. The album is tied to Sting's Broadway musical The Last Ship, which premiered in 2014. Many of the songs were written for that production.
What genre is The Last Ship by Sting?
The Last Ship is a folk rock album with strong Celtic and sea-shanty influences. It is rooted in the working-class culture of northeast England.
How did The Last Ship by Sting perform commercially?
The Last Ship reached number 13 on the Billboard 200 and number six on the Top Rock Albums chart. It was a modest commercial performer but a personal, critically respected project.
Who produced The Last Ship by Sting?
The Last Ship was produced by Sting and Rob Mathes. Mathes also worked with Sting on the Symphonicities project.