Remembering When Ringo Starr Got His First Songwriting Credit With The Beatles in 1965
If you’re even a casual Beatles fan, you can probably reel off the names of some of the songs sung by Ringo Starr without any trouble. But songs that were actually written by Starr (at least partially) are much fewer and farther between.
In 1965, Starr finally received a songwriting credit on the song “What Goes On”. Even on that one, his contributions were likely on the minimal side.
When Ringo Starr joined The Beatles in 1962, he proved a perfect fit with his exquisite musical timing and affable personality. He could also step out in front and sing when asked. The group gladly utilized that latter skill when they played live.
In addition, they made sure that Starr would also get a chance to provide at least one lead vocal on each of their studio albums. Often, they chose cover songs for him to sing. Occasionally, John Lennon and Paul McCartney would work up an original like “I Wanna Be Your Man” for him.
But Starr didn’t write his own material in those early days. Since he didn’t have much facility on guitar and piano, it was difficult for him to get it done in a musical sense. And, as George Harrison also discovered in the early years of the group’s recording career, Starr struggled to find his footing when Lennon and McCartney had already established themselves as unparalleled writers.
Say “What”
Source: americansongwriter.com/Jim Beviglia
