[audio http://www.hotlinkfiles.com/files/2307932_9ecgf/TheBeatles-Octopus_sGarden.mp3] The Beatles – Octopus’ Garden (1969)
Released in 1969, “Abbey Road” was the last Beatles album to be recorded (But not the last to be released). “Rolling Stone” magazine named it the 14th greatest album of all time.
“OG” was Ringo’s solo vocal contribution the this set. He wrote the lyrics and George Harrison helped him flesh out the melody.
I hope that you have enjoyed listening and reading some of the fine contributions that Richard Starkey made to The Beatles this past month. So often his participation, in addition to his stellar beat keeping, are overlooked and we need to give him his due — don’t you agree?
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The Beatles – Boys (1963)
“Boys,” with Ringo singing lead, was on of the 14 songs recorded in one day for The Beatles first ever LP “Please Please Me.” It was the first of two LPs released in 1963.
“Boys,” composed by Luther Dixon & Wes Farrell, is a cover of the B-side of the fabulous Shirelles’ #1 smash hit “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.”
Here are The Beatles performing “Boys” on Shindig in 1964.
And here is Ringo, forty-four years later (01/08), singing the song on “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.” How’s *that* for timelessness.
[audio http://www.hotlinkfiles.com/files/2301316_2mhbt/TheBeatles-Don_tPassMeBy.mp3] The Beatles – Don’t Pass Me By – 1968
Released November 22, 1968, The Beatles White Album contained this first song composed by Richard Starkey. Ringo had co-written a few songs before, but this was his baby and he sings it solo in his own charming yet quirky style. It’s obvious that Ringo loved Country-Western — isn’t it?
Rumor has it that Ringo was working on this song as early as 1963. Good job Ringo!
Check out Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band Tour 2003 performing “Don’t Pass Me By.” OMG there’s Shelia E on Drums, Colin Hay and more! Truly an All-star band Mr. Starr! Wonder if this was the seed that germinated into the idea for Shelia E to join up with CMT’s “Gone Country 3″?
“Don’t Pass Me By” Composed by Richard Starkey
I listen for your footsteps
coming up the drive.
Listen for your footsteps
but they don’t arrive.
Waiting for your knock, dear
on my old front door.
I don’t hear it,
does it mean you don’t love me anymore?
I hear the clock a’ticking,
on the mantel shelf.
See the hands a’moving,
but I’m by myself.
I wonder where you are tonight,
and why I’m by myself.
I don’t see you,
does it mean you don’t love me anymore?
Don’t pass me by, don’t make me cry, don’t make me blue.
‘Cause you know darling, I love only you.
You’ll never know it hurt me so,
I hate to see you go.
Don’t pass me by, don’t make me cry.
I’m sorry that I doubted you,
I was so unfair.
You were in a car crash,
and you lost your hair.
You said that you would be late
about an hour or two.
I said, “That’s alright, I’m waiting here,
just waiting to hear from you”.
Don’t pass me by, don’t make me cry, don’t make me blue.
‘Cause you know darling, I love only you.
You’ll never know it hurt me so,
I hate to see you go.
Don’t pass me by, don’t make me cry.
Don’t pass me by, don’t make me cry, don’t make me blue.
‘Cause you know darling, I love only you.
You’ll never know it hurt me so,
I hate to see you go.
Don’t pass me by, don’t make me cry.
[audio http://www.hotlinkfiles.com/files/2269641_rxfrn/withalittlehelpfrommyfriends.mp3] The Beatles – With A Little Help From My Friends (1967)
Ringo takes lead on yet another Lennon-McCartney song in the opening of the epic “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” LP of 1967. This album went to #1 on the Pop Chart. And yet the single did not make the pop chart (#71) until 1978!
Here is a wonderful clip of Ringo performing the song in 1987 at the Prince’s Trust Concert with the help of his friends George Harrison (R.I.P) and Eric Clapton. Do you see Elton John on stage? Phil Collins on drums? etc. etc. Wow they look so young!
Now I couldn’t resist posting the version of the song, by Joe Cocker, that hit the pop charts in 1968. Cocker’s cover peaked at #68 on the US Pop Singles chart and zoomed to #1 in the UK!
I just love the great stuff on YouTube. Don’t You? I just love this music too. Don’t you? This song is so great that no matter what genre you perform it in — pop or blues – it sounds good! That’s what make a classic songs IMHO.
Hope you enjoyed these performances as much as I do.
[audio http://www.hotlinkfiles.com/files/2279419_blrru/TheBeatles-WhatGoesOn.mp3] The Beatles – What Goes On (1965)
This wonderful Lennon-McCartney penned song, with Ringo singing lead vocal, comes from 1965’s classic “Rubber Soul” LP.
“What Goes on peaked at #81 on the Billbaord Pop Singles chart in 1966.
Please enjoy and sing along if the mood hits you .
“What Goes On” Composed by Lennon & McCartney
What goes on in your heart?
What goes on in your mind?
You are tearing me apart
When you treat me so unkind
What goes on in your mind
The other day I saw you
As I walked along the road
But when I saw him with you
I could feel my future fold
It’s so easy for a girl
like you to lie
Tell me why
What goes on in your heart?
What goes on in your mind?
You are tearing me apart
When you treat me so unkind
What goes on in your mind
I met you in the morning
waiting for the tides of time
But now the tide is turning
I can see that I was blind
It’s so easy for a girl
like you to lie
Tell me why
What goes on in your heart?
I used to think of no on else
But you were just the same
You didn’t even think of me
As someone with a name
Did you mean to break my
heart and watch me die
Tell me why
What goes on in your heart?
What goes on in your mind?
You are tearing me apart
When you treat me so unkind
What goes on in your mind
In your mind
In your mind
[audio http://www.hotlinkfiles.com/files/2251765_jlflq/TheBeatles-YellowSubmarine.mp3] The Beatles – Yellow Submarine (1966)
This Lennon/McCartney song was actually a joint effort with contributions from friends on lyrics (including Donovan) and singing the chorus. Intended to be a children’s song — it is a great adult sing-along as well . I have let it play on repeat while I compose this blog and have sung every note along with Ringo and friends! It’s such a feel-good song.
The song first appeared on the 1966 “Revolver” LP (the first Beatles LP I ever purchased with my own allowance). The song was also the B side to the Grammy award winning “Eleanor Rigby” single from the “Revolver” album. “Rigby” was a US success, but “Submarine” wasn’t as big here as it was in the UK where it zoomed to #1.
Of course the song also appeared on the 1969 #2 Pop charting “Yellow Submarine” soundtrack LP for the movie of the same name. I went to see that movie and frankly I just didn’t get it. But I loved the music and still do.
But I consider “Revolver” to be the better LP.
“Revolver” Trivia: Revolver charted #19 on the 2001 Billboard List of Top Internet Albums. How’s THAT for longevity?!
[audio http://www.hotlinkfiles.com/files/2263368_rx1x0/TheBeatles-ActNaturally.mp3] The Beatles – Act Naturally (1965)
“Act Naturally,” with Ringo singing lead, appeared on The Beatles 5th LP that served as the soundtrack to their second movie “Help!”
I remember vividly that the movie was a bit above my head content wise. I basically just sat there (in the balcony since the movie theatre in my town had yet to be integrated!) with my Beatle sneakers on and my Beatle purse that I carried my popcorn money in and swooned every time John came on screen. You see all of my friends that went with me loved Paul but I secretly was yearning for John.
Little did I know then that I was watching one of the first ever two hour music videos. (LOL)
Composed by Voni Morrison and Johnny Russell — Buck Owen’s original rendition of “Act Naturally” was a #1 country single. Buck also charted again with his remake of the song as a duet with Ringo: It was #27 on the Hot Country Single Charts.
The Beatles’ cover version was the B-Side to the single “Yesterday.” The song also became a staple of Ringo’s live concerts as a solo act.
Remember this promotional video?
Act Naturally – Composed by Voni Morrison and Johnny Russell
They’re gonna put me in the movies
They’re gonna make a big star out of me
We’ll make a film about a man that’s sad and lonely
And all I have to do is act naturally
[CHORUS]
Well, I bet you I’m gonna be a big star
Might win an Oscar you can never tell
The movie’s gonna make me a big star,
‘Cause I can play the part so well
Well, I hope you come and see me in the movie
Then I’ll know that you will plainly see
The biggest fool that ever hit the big time
And all I have to do is act naturally
We’ll make a film about a man that’s sad and lonely
Begging down upon his bended knee
I’ll play the part but I won’t need rehearsing
All I have to do is act naturally
