The Story and Meaning Behind “Back off Boogaloo” by Ringo Starr and Why It Might Have Been a Subtle Shot at Paul McCartney
Ringo Starr might have been underestimated when he started his solo career after The Beatles’ breakup. That didn’t last for long, as he proved to have one of the highest percentages of hits to misses of all the Fab Four, at least in the early 1970s. The hard-rocking “Back off Boogaloo” added to the hits category, as it rolled into the Top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic when released in 1972.
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What is the song about? What in the world is a boogaloo anyway? And was Starr taking a subtle shot in song at fellow ex-Beatle Paul McCartney? Let’s get all the answers as we explore the story and meaning behind “Back off Boogaloo.”
Ringo on a Roll
Ringo Starr seemed to benefit from his reluctance to come out swinging for the pop charts after The Beatles’ breakup. His solo debut, the 1970 album Beaucoup of Blues, was a low-key tribute to the country music he loved. It was never meant for anything more than a niche audience. In terms of his rock music, Starr decided to stick with singles off the bat, instead of committing to an album’s worth of material.
That approach proved wise, as it gave fans time to miss what Ringo brought to the table. His next single, “It Don’t Come Easy” in 1971, made a big splash. He then took another year off while concentrating on his career as an actor in films. “Back off Boogaloo” came a year later, and then, the year after that, he had raised expectation levels to such a pitch that the public was waiting for his album Ringo, which became a runaway success.
Source:Jim Beviglia/americansongwriter.com
