"Ships with Sails" is a composition by Robby Krieger and John Densmore, written for The Doors' 1971 album Other Voices. The album was the band's first recording made after the death of Jim Morrison, with the three surviving members -- Krieger, Densmore, and Ray Manzarek -- continuing as a trio augmented by session musicians. The composition is notable for its departure from typical Doors material, incorporating a gentler, more contemplative approach that reflects the band's exploratory post-Morrison direction. The arrangement features acoustic bass work by Willie Ruff, a distinguished musician known for his work spanning classical and jazz contexts, whose presence on the track lends the piece a warmth and sophistication distinct from the electric intensity of The Doors' earlier recordings. With Krieger and Densmore sharing the compositional credit, the piece highlights the rhythm section's creative voice within a band often dominated by Morrison's lyrics and Manzarek's keyboards. Other Voices was produced by the band members themselves alongside engineer Bruce Botnick, who had worked on their previous albums, and was released on Elektra Records. The composition remains a deep cut within The Doors' catalog, representative of the band's effort to forge a new creative identity during a transitional and ultimately brief final chapter.
