When The Ship Goes Down

Album: Water In A Whale (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Jillette Johnson was still living in New York City when she wrote this song, which deals with the overwhelming feeling that came with being a young musician trying to get her feet off the ground in the big city. "I was straddling the line of being aware of how small I was and how huge the mountain I'm trying to climb was," she said on the Songfacts Podcast. "I was also aware of how romantic of a city New York is, being a young person living there. I was in my early 20s living my dream. I had a record deal and I was touring, so I was in this constant back and forth of being really humbled and also being in a fantasy world."
  • "When The Ship Goes Down" is part of Johnson's debut album, Water In A Whale. A few years later, she moved to Nashville, which is where she met her husband. The song stuck in her live repertoire, but has evolved. "I love this song," she said. "It's definitely one of those songs from my first record that still hits me in different ways when I hear it and I still love to play it. I do think I have evolved as a songwriter since I wrote this song."
  • At the time, I was living in New York City and I was straddling the line of being aware of how small I was and how huge the mountain I'm trying to climb was. I was also aware of how romantic of a city New York is, being a young person living there. I was in my early 20s living my dream. I had a record deal and I was touring, so I was in this constant back and forth of being really humbled and also being in a fantasy world.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Gavin Rossdale of Bush

Gavin Rossdale of BushSongwriter Interviews

On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Petula Clark

Petula ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Petula talks about her hits "Downtown" and "Don't Sleep In The Subway," and explains her Michael Jackson connection.

Dr. John

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.