Ringo Starr, the beloved drummer of The Beatles, carved out a notable solo career after the band’s dissolution, often battling the unfair perception that he “wasn’t even the best drummer in The Beatles.” This quip, famously attributed to comedian Jasper Carrott rather than John Lennon, has overshadowed Ringo’s significant contributions and musical talent for years.
While Ringo’s drumming style might not be described as technically virtuosic, it was undeniably unique and integral to The Beatles’ iconic sound. His songwriting contributions to the Fab Four were modest – ‘Don’t Pass Me By’ and ‘Octopus’s Garden’ – especially when compared to the prolific Lennon-McCartney partnership and even George Harrison’s growing songwriting prowess.
However, when The Beatles disbanded in 1970, Ringo Starr seized the opportunity to redefine his narrative as a solo artist. He stepped out from behind the drum kit and into the spotlight, delivering a series of hit songs and albums, most notably his 1973 album, Ringo, his first solo venture featuring original material.
Although his peak commercial success as a solo artist was relatively brief, Ringo remained musically active, touring extensively with his All-Starr Band and lending his drumming skills as a session musician to renowned artists like Bob Dylan and Tom Petty.
It’s time to re-evaluate the legendary drummer’s solo work and celebrate his best compositions. Here’s a ranking of Ringo Starr’s 10 greatest solo songs:
1. ‘Weight Of The World’
Ringo Starr in a promotional video for "Weight Of The World" showing him singing with energy.
After a period of relative studio silence throughout the 1980s, Ringo Starr made a welcome return in 1992 with Time Takes Time. This album marked his first studio effort since 1983 and showcased a renewed creative spark. ‘Weight Of The World’, emerged as a standout track, penned by a group of session musicians who admired Starr and had collaborated with artists such as Bonnie Raitt and Linda Ronstadt.
This song perfectly captured a blend of country rock sensibilities with a touch of the era’s burgeoning retro-indie jangle pop. While ‘Weight Of The World’ achieved modest chart success, reaching No.74 in the UK charts, it served as a powerful reminder of Ringo Starr’s enduring musical relevance and his ability to still deliver a song with genuine swagger and appeal. It’s a testament to his capacity to adapt and remain engaging in a changing musical landscape, making it a worthy inclusion among the best Ringo Starr Songs.
2. ‘Pure Gold’
Ringo Starr performing "Pure Gold" in a vintage television appearance, showcasing his charismatic stage presence.
As the 1970s progressed, Ringo Starr’s solo career experienced a decline in commercial returns. Recognizing this, his longtime friend and former bandmate, Paul McCartney, stepped in to lend a helping hand for Ringo’s 1976 album, Ringo’s Rotogravure. McCartney contributed ‘Pure Gold’, a song that undoubtedly shines as the album’s highlight.
With backing vocals from Linda McCartney, this breezy blues-infused track has become arguably Ringo Starr’s last significant hit of the decade. ‘Pure Gold’ also holds a unique place in Beatles history, marking the final project where all four members of the iconic band – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr – contributed individually before John Lennon’s tragic death in 1980. This historical context, combined with the song’s catchy melody and McCartney’s signature touch, elevates ‘Pure Gold’ among the essential Ringo Starr songs.
3. ‘You Don’t Know Me At All’
Ringo Starr in the music video for "You Don't Know Me At All" sporting a shaved head and eyebrows, emphasizing the song's theme of being misunderstood.
For the promotional music video accompanying his 1976 single ‘You Don’t Know Me At All,’ Ringo Starr unveiled a dramatic and unexpected new look. Shaving both his head and eyebrows, Starr fully embraced a transformation that mirrored the song’s thematic exploration of being unrecognizable and misunderstood. This bold visual statement amplified the song’s message and added a layer of intrigue to its release.
‘You Don’t Know Me At All,’ penned by Dave Jordan and featured on the Ringo’s Rotogravure album, also benefited from guest appearances by notable friends like Eric Clapton. This underrated gem delves into a more introspective and melancholic side of Ringo, a departure from his typically jovial public persona. The song reveals a sense of pain and misunderstanding, offering a different facet of Ringo Starr’s artistry and emotional range, solidifying its place within the collection of noteworthy Ringo Starr songs.
4. ‘No No Song’
Ringo Starr performing "No No Song" live, possibly with the All-Starr Band, engaging with the audience.
Continuing his collaborative approach for the 1974 album Goodnight Vienna, Ringo Starr once again surrounded himself with talented friends and musical collaborators in the studio. Elton John and Bernie Taupin contributed the single ‘Snookeroo’, but it was the B-side, ‘No No Song’, that unexpectedly became the album’s biggest commercial success.
While the snooker references in ‘Snookeroo’ may have been lost on some, the American audience readily embraced the drug-related undertones of ‘No No Song’. The single soared to No.3 on the US Billboard charts, becoming Ringo Starr’s seventh and final top ten hit in the United States. Despite Ringo’s insistence that it was an anti-drug song, his anecdote about recording it with Hoyt Axton while enjoying cannabis and Jack Daniel’s adds a layer of playful ambiguity to its interpretation. Regardless of its intended message, ‘No No Song’ remains one of the most recognizable and popular Ringo Starr songs, demonstrating his enduring appeal in the US market.
5. ‘Easy For Me’
Ringo Starr singing "Easy For Me" at a piano, conveying the emotional depth of the ballad.
Another of Ringo Starr’s close friends, Harry Nilsson, lent his songwriting talents to create ‘Easy For Me’, a beautifully crafted and traditional piano ballad. Nilsson was a frequent presence within The Beatles’ inner circle, particularly associated with John Lennon during his infamous “Lost Weekend” period in Los Angeles.
Ringo tapped into Nilsson’s expertise in poignant songwriting, especially known for the heartbreaking ballad ‘Without You’, for his 1974 album Goodnight Vienna. While Ringo Starr may not have possessed the most technically refined vocal instrument, he had a unique ability to convey heartbreak with a distinctive and affecting delivery. ‘Easy For Me’ showcases this strength, proving that Ringo could sing a ballad with as much tragic sincerity as anyone, making it a standout track in the realm of Ringo Starr songs.
6. ‘You’re Sixteen’
Ringo Starr performing "You're Sixteen" with playful energy, possibly during a live concert or television appearance.
‘You’re Sixteen’, a song centered around a singer’s infatuation with a young girl, carries lyrics that, viewed through a modern lens, haven’t aged entirely gracefully. Penned by The Sherman Brothers, known for their work on Disney classics like ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ and ‘It’s A Small World’, the song reflects the sensibilities of a different era.
Despite the potentially dated lyrical content, Ringo Starr’s cover version of this rockabilly tune became a massive success for the former Beatle. It reached the coveted number one spot on the US Billboard charts. Adding to the song’s playful charm, Harry Nilsson and Paul McCartney famously contributed improvised kazoo sounds using their voices. Producer Richard Perry, who had worked with music icons like Barbra Streisand, Ray Charles, and Carly Simon, described producing Ringo’s album, which included ‘You’re Sixteen’, as the “greatest thrill” of his career. This chart-topping success solidifies ‘You’re Sixteen’ as one of the most commercially successful and recognizable Ringo Starr songs.
7. ‘Back Off Boogaloo’
Ringo Starr in a glam rock style performance of "Back Off Boogaloo", reflecting the song's energetic and edgy vibe.
Co-written with George Harrison shortly after the Concert For Bangladesh, ‘Back Off Boogaloo’, released in 1972, is a glam rock stomper that clearly demonstrates the influence of T. Rex and Marc Bolan on Ringo Starr. Marc Bolan himself would later collaborate with Ringo on one of his albums, further cementing this musical connection.
Interestingly, the song’s subject matter is actually Paul McCartney. “Boogaloo” was Ringo’s affectionate nickname for the former Wings frontman. Starr’s lyrics are a playful but pointed message to McCartney, urging him to cease making critical remarks about his former Beatles bandmates in the press and to refocus on creating great music, as suggested by the line “give me something tasty.” ‘Back Off Boogaloo’ reached number two in the UK charts, becoming and remaining Ringo Starr’s biggest hit on his home turf. Its catchy glam rock energy makes it a standout among Ringo Starr songs.
8. ‘I’m The Greatest’
Ringo Starr performing "I'm The Greatest" with a confident and joyful expression, highlighting the song's playful and boastful nature.
‘I’m The Greatest’, the opening track from Ringo Starr’s first full album of original material, Ringo, holds a special significance as it was penned by John Lennon. Drawing inspiration from Muhammad Ali’s famous catchphrase, Lennon recognized that the song’s tongue-in-cheek and slightly boastful nature might be misconstrued if he were to record it himself. To avoid any accusations of arrogance, Lennon wisely passed the song to Ringo.
Although ‘I’m The Greatest’ was never released as a single, it has become a firm favorite among fans of Ringo and The Beatles, widely considered one of his signature songs. Adding to its historical importance, ‘I’m The Greatest’ is the only track recorded between The Beatles’ 1970 breakup and John Lennon’s tragic death a decade later that features three of the Fab Four: Ringo Starr, John Lennon, and George Harrison, along with Billy Preston. This unique reunion element elevates ‘I’m The Greatest’ beyond just another Ringo Starr song, making it a significant piece of Beatles history.
9. ‘Photograph’
Ringo Starr in the music video for "Photograph", holding a photograph and expressing a sense of longing and nostalgia.
‘Photograph’ delves into themes of lost love and lingering memories, with Ringo Starr lamenting a past relationship and the enduring pain caused by a former lover, symbolized by a photograph that constantly reminds him of her. This poignant ballad is another successful collaboration with George Harrison. The lyrical concept also received input from their then-wives, Pattie Boyd and Maureen Starkey, and even Cilla Black, who was vacationing with the former Beatles.
‘Photograph’ became a massive hit for Ringo Starr, reaching the top of the US charts in 1973 and achieving top ten status in numerous countries worldwide. Its commercial success and emotional resonance solidify its place as one of the most beloved Ringo Starr songs. In a later performance at the 2014 Grammy Awards, Ringo Starr reimagined the song’s sentiment, transforming it into a nostalgic and contented reflection on his time with The Beatles, accompanied by a projected image of the band. This reinterpretation showcases the song’s enduring power and its capacity to evoke different emotions over time.
10. ‘It Don’t Come Easy’
‘It Don’t Come Easy’ marked Ringo Starr’s breakthrough as a bonafide solo artist and stands as arguably his most instantly recognizable solo hit. Released as a single in 1971, it was the first original song credited solely to Ringo, although George Harrison’s musical fingerprints are undeniably present throughout the track. Harrison’s influence is evident in the song’s vibrant brass instrumentation, reminiscent of The Beatles’ ‘Savoy Truffle’.
Following two commercially unsuccessful albums consisting of cover songs, Sentimental Journey and Beaucoup Blues, ‘It Don’t Come Easy’ served as Ringo’s joyous and energetic statement, firmly establishing his ability to step out from the shadow of his former band. He aimed to “combat … the original image of me as the downtrodden drummer,” acknowledging the challenge of overcoming that perception. Thanks to the generosity of George Harrison, who ensured Ringo received full songwriting credit, ‘It Don’t Come Easy’ propelled Ringo Starr to solo stardom. The song peaked at number four in both the UK and US charts, paving the way for Ringo’s successful solo career throughout the 1970s and beyond, making it the quintessential entry in any list of Ringo Starr songs.
