Take Five: Classic Ringo Starr Singles

Ringo Starr was one-fourth of the most influential group in the history of rock music. His inimitable style, charm and drumming endeared him to legions of fans. He sang on a number of Beatles hits and deep album tracks. The one thing he rarely did in those years was write songs: Among Beatles tunes, only “Don’t Pass Me By” from the White Album and “Octopus’ Garden” (from Abbey Road) are credited to Ringo alone as composer.

But that didn’t stop the man born Richard Starkey from embarking upon a creatively fruitful post-Beatles solo career, one that continues to this day. Here are five classics that remind us what a fine pop star good old Ringo has always been.

“It Don’t Come Easy” (single, 1970)
The second song Ringo ever wrote would be his first solo single. Co-written by George Harrison (who isn’t credited), the song was recorded a few times before the session that yielded the finished version. An early mix from that session circulates among collectors; it features George on lead vocals instead of Ringo, and at one point backing vocalists Pete Ham and Tom Evans of Badfinger can be heard singing “Hare Krishna.” Other players on the session included Gary Wright, Jim Keltner, Klaus Voormann, Stephen Stills and Beatles roadie Mal Evans. The single made it to #1 on the U.S. Cash Box chart.

“Photograph” from Ringo (1973)
As he sang (in lyrics penned for him by John Lennon and Paul McCartney), Ringo really did get by with a little help from his friends. Once again, pal George co-wrote a song with him, this time receiving credit. With a soaring Jack Nitzsche arrangement and Richard Perry’s expert production, this lovely and sentimental tune ranks among the best post-Beatles singles. “Photograph” soared to the #1 spot on the U.S. singles chart, and hit the Top Ten in ten other countries.

“No No Song” from Goodnight Vienna (1975)
This playful tune is a wry tale of someone who claims to eschew various illicit and/or mind-altering substances (specifically pot, cocaine and moonshine). The song was written by acclaimed actor-songwriter Hoyt Axton, who also penned “Joy to the World” (Three Dog Night), “The Pusher” (Steppenwolf) and many other hits. The session for this song included Ringo’s old Hamburg friend Klaus Voormann, top session pianist Nicky Hopkins and others, including Keith Moon on spoken vocal. “No No Song” earned Ringo yet another U.S. #1 single.

“Wrack My Brain” from Stop and Smell the Roses (1981)
In 1980 Ringo began work on an album project planned as Can’t Fight Lightning. In an approach similar to that used on 1973’s hit LP Ringo, he sought help from his old Beatles band mates on various tracks. John Lennon was planning to participate, but was killed before that could happen. Then Ringo’s deal with his label fell through, and the project was shelved for a time. When it was revived, the re-titled album project included this song, written by Harrison. Released as a single, “Wrack My Brain” would be Ringo’s last Top 40 hit to date, making it to #38 in the U.S. Stop and Smell the Roses was reissued for Record Store Day 2023.

“Weight of the World” from Time Takes Time (1992)
After the flop of his 1983 album Old Wave, Ringo would take nearly a decade to record a follow-up. But when he did, it was worth the wait. Featuring production from some top names (Peter Asher, Jeff Lynne, Phil Ramone, Don Was) the album followed on the heels of Ringo’s first (and highly successful) All-Starr Band tour. Penned by outside songwriters, “Weight of the World” nonetheless had a very Beatlesque feel, and the recording featured keyboardist Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) along with Jellyfish duo Roger Joseph Manning Jr. and Andy Sturmer. Released as a single, the song just missed the Top 40 of the Mainstream Rock chart in the U.S. It did chart in six other countries, with Switzerland’s #21 spot as its best showing.