"The Last Ship" is the eleventh studio album by Sting, released on 20 September 2013 in Germany and on 24 September 2013 in the UK and US. This album marks Sting's return to original material, following his 2003 release Sacred Love. It features songs written for and inspired by the musical of the same name, which premiered in June 2014.
The album reflects the historical context of the shipbuilding town of Wallsend, where Sting grew up, focusing on the impact of the shipyard closures. It includes contributions from various guest artists with ties to northeast England, such as Brian Johnson of AC/DC, Jimmy Nail, The Unthanks, The Wilson Family, and Kathryn Tickell, enriching the album's regional and cultural depth.
The Last Ship draws inspiration from the musical of the same name, which premiered in June 2014, featuring songs penned by Sting. The musical explores themes of homecoming and self-discovery, reflecting Sting's memories of growing up in the shipbuilding town of Wallsend. It delves into the complexities of relationships, the passage of time, and the significance of family and community.
While the album contains twelve tracks, only six are shared with the musical, with the deluxe version including three additional songs and the "super deluxe" edition adding four more. Some discrepancies between the album and the musical stem from changes made after the album's recording, such as the replacement of "Practical Arrangement" with "What Say You Meg?".
