The Beatles and Ringo's Songwriting: Insights and Facts

The relationship between the members of the legendary band The Beatles, particularly John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, was more than just a musical partnership. It was a deep bond that extended to songwriting, where each of the four Beatles wrote songs specifically for Ringo and for themselves. Let's explore the nuances of this unique dynamic.

Ringo's Contributions and Collaborations

While Ringo Starr is often remembered for his drumming prowess, it's important to note that he also made significant contributions as a songwriter. Along with John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison, Ringo received writing credits for songs such as "Flying" from the album "Magical Mystery Tour," and post-breakup singles like "Now and Then" in 2023 and "Free as a Bird" in 1995. However, his contributions were more often as a collaborator rather than a primary writer.

One of the charming moments captured in Peter Jackson's documentary is the scene where George Harrison takes on Ringo's songwriting. The tape of George teaching Ringo to write "Octopus's Garden" from the album "Abbey Road" is a sweet testament to their friendship. Interestingly, George chose not to claim any credit for the song, crediting it solely to Ringo. Another song Ringo wrote for the Beatles himself is "Don't Pass Me By" from "The White Album."

John Lennon's Contributions

John Lennon was particularly generous in writing songs specifically for Ringo. Among the songs Lennon wrote for Ringo, "Goodnight" from "The White Album," "I'm the Greatest," "Goodnight Vienna" from the EP "Goodnight Vienna," "Cookin’" from "Ringo's Rotogravure," and "Grow Old with Me" were recorded. Additionally, Lennon penned "Nobody Told Me," which became popular and a posthumous hit a few years later.

One of the most famous songs Lennon wrote specifically for Ringo is "A Little Help from My Friends," a track that Hunter Davies, who wrote their official biography, described as a "Ringo style song" created in a session where they met to write a song tailored to Ringo's vocal style. This demonstrates how the Beatles intentionally crafted pieces that suited Ringo's voice and personality.

George Harrison's Contributions

George Harrison also contributed to Ringo's songs. For instance, he helped Ringo pen "Octopus's Garden." However, George took no credit for his involvement in the songwriting process, leaving it attributed solely to Ringo. Another song where George may have assisted, but was not credited for, was "Don't Pass Me By."

Shared Songwriting and Collaborative Efforts

While there were several instances where the Beatles wrote songs for each other, it's clear that the collaborative songwriting was intentional. The Beatles were one of the first bands to intentionally incorporate a strategy where each member had a song on every album. This was not only to showcase the individual talents of each band member but also to leverage the fan base each member had. Ringo, for instance, was consistently beloved by fans and thus had a dedicated song on each album to capitalize on his popularity.

Notably, Ringo wrote only a couple of solo songs: "Don't Pass Me By" from "The White Album" and "Octopus's Garden." Others, like "I'm the Greatest" and "Cookin'," were written with John's input, but no co-credits were given to either Paul or George.

Thus, the Beatles' songwriting strategies were multi-faceted and thoughtful, fostering a collaborative yet individualistic approach that has stood the test of time and continues to influence modern music.