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On April 15, 1912, the RMS Titanic collided with an iceberg and sank in the North Atlantic during its maiden voyage, claiming around 1500 lives. The disaster of the so-called “unsinkable ship” has been depicted in numerous films, with James Cameron’s 1997 movie Titanic standing out, largely due to its unforgettable theme song, Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On.” However, beyond this iconic track, there are many other songs inspired by the Titanic, some from artists you likely know. Here are 10 tracks about the Titanic that steer clear of hearts, perseverance, or tin whistles.
“The Titanic” // Lead Belly
In the year the Titanic sank, three films and numerous songs were created to commemorate the tragedy. Among them was a song titled “The Titanic,” performed by various artists, including Huddie William Ledbetter, famously known as Lead Belly. His career took off after being discovered while serving time in prison, and he became renowned for his powerful voice and mastery of the 12-string guitar. Ledbetter later claimed that “The Titanic” was the first song he ever learned to play on the 12-string.
Though the song primarily recounts the events of the disaster, the line “Jack Johnson want to get on board / Captain said, ‘I ain’t hauling no coal’” alludes to a rumor that Captain Edward Smith denied Johnson entry because of his race. While the topic of race in relation to the Titanic is significant, there’s no evidence that Johnson was near the ship or attempted to board it.
“Tempest” // Bob Dylan
When you hear that Bob Dylan has a song about the Titanic, it seems inevitable. Yet, searching through his discography for such a track proves elusive. The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan? Not there. The Times They Are A-Changin’? No luck. Blonde on Blonde? Still nothing.
Dylan finally addressed the Titanic in the title track of his 2012 album Tempest. Inspired by the Carter Family’s “The Titanic” (and James Cameron’s film—Leonardo DiCaprio even makes a lyrical appearance), Dylan’s nearly 14-minute epic delves into themes of loss and remorse as life nears its end. However, the song isn’t purely sentimental: it includes sharp lyrics about familial strife, with lines like “Brother rose up ‘gainst brother,” and biting commentary on the “traitors” and “turncoats” scrambling for lifeboats.
“God Moves on the Water” // Blind Willie Johnson
Though “God Moves on the Water” isn’t confirmed to be written by evangelist and blues musician Blind Willie Johnson, his 1929 recording is the oldest known version. The song intertwines the story of the Titanic with themes of divine intervention, as seen in lyrics like “Lord Jesus, will you hear us now / help us in our distress / God moves, God moves, God moves, ah / people had to run and pray.” Johnson’s focus isn’t solely on the tragedy but also on the spiritual quest for redemption in life’s final moments. The song remains influential, with covers still being produced, including a 2020 rendition by Larkin Poe.
“Titanic” // Falco
Falco is best known for his 1985 smash “Rock Me Amadeus,” inspired by the renowned composer who starred in a wildly popular, award-winning biopic released the previous year. However, his song “Titanic” from the album Nachtflug debuted in 1992, five years before James Cameron’s film reignited global interest in the Titanic saga. Had Falco’s track been released closer to the film’s iconic “I’ll never let go” moment, could it have achieved worldwide fame? While possible, the song’s predominantly German lyrics likely hindered its international appeal.
The translated lyrics portray the Titanic’s sinking as a celebration of the era’s excess rather than a moral lesson: “The Titanic sinks in panic ... She’ll go down in history / ’Cause the unsinkable Titanic’s / Decadence in mystery.” It’s certainly a unique perspective!
“Be British” // Ernest Gray
Released in 1912, “Be British” glorifies the unyielding composure of the English upper class even in the face of inevitable death. The lyrics are predictably stoic: “What a glorious thing it is to know / When danger’s hour was nigh / When the mighty liner sank to her rest / Our men knew how to die.”
Ernest Gray was a stage name; the song was actually sung by Robert Carr, and proceeds from the record—which also included the track “Stand by your Post”—were donated to the Titanic Relief Fund.
“Titanic Blues” // Hi Henry Brown
Details about Hi Henry Brown and his song “Titanic Blues” are limited: Brown was a country blues artist who possibly hailed from Pace, Mississippi. In 1932, he recorded six songs in New York City, including “Titanic Blues,” which was paired on the same record with a track called “Preacher Blues.”
Lyrically, “Titanic Blues” reflects the stark, everyday reality of death, even in the face of tragedy. “Some was drinkin’, some was playing cards ... Some was in the corner praying to their God.” Written two decades after the Titanic disaster and during America’s Great Depression, the song’s straightforward tone is unsurprising.
“Down With The Old Canoe” // The Dixon Brothers
The builders of the Titanic never outright claimed it was unsinkable: While the term appeared in advertisements, it was often prefaced with words like practically. These qualifiers vanished after the ship sank, and in popular culture, the Titanic became a symbol of the White Star Line’s overconfidence. The Dixon Brothers—Dorsey and Howard Dixon, mill workers from South Carolina—captured this sentiment in their song “Down With The Old Canoe,” recorded in Charlotte, North Carolina, on January 25, 1938. “The great ship was built by man, that is why she could not stand / ‘She could not sink’ was the cry from one and all / But an iceberg ripped her side and it cut down all her pride / They found the hand of God was in it all.” In essence, if you’re seeking sympathy, the Dixon Brothers aren’t your go-to.
“When That Great Ship Went Down” // William and Versey Smith
Like many Titanic songs recorded years after the disaster, “When the Great Ship Went Down” likely originated shortly after the event and evolved over time, much like a game of musical telephone. Married duo William and Versey Smith recorded it in 1927. “When the Great Ship Went Down” critiques the wealthy and their lack of compassion: “When that ship left England, making for the shore / The rich had declared that they would not ride with the poor / Put the poor below / Where first they had to go.”
“The Titanic” // Ernest Stoneman
Ernest V. Stoneman’s “The Titanic” (later re-recorded as “The Sinking of the Titanic”) shares nearly identical lyrics with William and Versey Smith’s “When the Great Ship Went Down,” but the musical arrangement is entirely distinct. Stoneman’s version bears little resemblance to the Smiths’ rendition. Notably, despite its similarities to other songs, Stoneman and this track were honored with a Grammy award in 2013.
“The Titanic Is Doomed and Sinking” // Owen Lynch
Owen Lynch penned the lyrics for “The Titanic is Doomed and Sinking,” with William H. Farrell composing the music. Unlike many songs on this list, the creation of this track in 1912 by these two individuals is well-documented, as the New York Public Library holds the sheet music in its digital archives.
“The Titanic Is Doomed and Sinking” includes multiple verses; one recounts the Titanic’s tragic sinking, while others highlight the bravery of John Jacob Astor and speculate that Captain Edward Smith was attempting to set a speed record when the ship struck the iceberg. The chorus paints a vivid picture of “whale and shark” encircling the Titanic, where “she’s lost forever more.” A somber reflection indeed.
