When it comes to The Beatles, it was often Paul McCartney and John Lennon who got the most shine. After that duo, George Harrison was considered the next best artist and songwriter. And then there was Ringo Starr, the comic relief, the peace sign-waving, smiling drummer, who often felt like he was put over on the side on a riser and left to his own devices.
But once the former mop tops split up, music fans got to see more of Ringo as a bandleader, songwriter, recording artist, and performer, and much of what he put out into the world was appreciated on a new level. Here below, we wanted to explore three such songs. A trio of tracks from Starr that have since stood the test of time.
“Photograph” from Ringo (1973)
When they were with The Beatles, Ringo and George Harrison were known to write songs together, including the hit “Octopus’s Garden.” But here the two collaborated on this single from Starr’s self-titled 1973 LP Ringo. The Gold-selling track, which the two began writing in France in 1971, is about the value of a photograph and how it can sometimes be the last remaining element from an otherwise cherished relationship. Love is beautiful but is also fleeting. And Ringo sings of this fact on the track, offering,
Ev’ry time I see your face,
It reminds me of the places we used to go.
But all I got is a photograph
And I realize you’re not coming back anymore.
.
I thought I’d make it the day you went away,
But I can’t make it
Till you come home again to stay.
I can’t get used to living here,
While my heart is broke, my tears I cried for you.
I want you here to have and hold,
As the years go by and we grow old and grey.
“It Don’t Come Easy” from Ringo (1971)
Another collaboration between Ringo and Harrison, this standalone single is one of the drummer’s most well-known offerings. He began to write it when The Beatles were still together around 1968 and it was finished as the band was disbanding in 1970. The lyrical idea behind the track is the difficulty of life and the inherent difficulty of success. Staying in a band doesn’t come easy, picking up the pieces after the group is dismantled doesn’t come easy. On the rhythmic offering, Ringo sings,
It don’t come easy
You know it don’t come easy
It don’t come easy
You know it don’t come easy
.
Got to pay your dues if you wanna sing the blues
And you know it don’t come easy
You don’t have to shout or leap about
You can even play them easy
Forget about the past and all your sorrows
The future won’t last, it will soon be your tomorrow
.
I don’t ask for much, I only want trust
And you know it don’t come easy
“Back off Boogaloo” (Single, 1972)
Another standalone single by Ringo, this 1972 track marked yet another collaboration between the former Beatles drummer and lead guitarist. Featuring a rollicking snare and lively piano chords, this track, inspired by Marc Bolan of the glam rock band T. Rex, is perhaps the most catchy of the three on this list. On the song, which hit No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, Ringo sings what could be interpreted as tossed-off, even nonsense lyrics. While some have said it’s a criticism of Paul McCartney, that seems unlikely and has been denied by Ringo himself. On the tune, Ringo sings,
Back of boogaloo,
What d’yer think i’m gonna do?
I got a flash right from the start.
.
Wake up, meat head,
Don’t pretend that you are dead,
Get yourself up off the cart.
.
Get yourself together now
And give me something tasty.
Ev’rything you try to do,
You know it sure sounds wasted.
