3 of the Best Collaborations Between George Harrison and Ringo Starr

The other two Beatles. While Paul McCartney and John Lennon often got most of the publicity in the Fab Four, the Liverpool, England-born rock band would not have been what it became had it not been for their lead guitarist and drummer.

Yes, George Harrison and Ringo Starr were integral. And they knew it and, as a result, they believed in one another, which is why they boast some tremendous collaborations in and out of the band. Here below, we wanted to dive into three such songs. A trio of tracks that display the chemistry and synergy between Harrison and Starr. Yes, these are three of the best songs by the duo.

[RELATED: 3 Beatles Songs That Will Make Any Listener Tear Up]

“Octopus’s Garden” by The Beatles from Abbey Road (1969)

Such a vivid, simple song, this track is almost like a children’s storybook put to music. Written by Ringo with some help from Harrison, the song is almost like a cute episode of SpongeBob SquarePants. And while Harrison assisted on the track, he famously said of their work on it, “‘Octopus’s Garden’ is Ringo’s song. It’s only the second song Ringo wrote, and it’s lovely.” Released on The Beatles’ 1969 LP Abbey Road, Ringo also sings the song in his signature cartoonish voice, offering lyrics about playing on the floor of the ocean. He bellows,

I’d like to be
Under the sea
In an octopus’s garden
In the shade

He’d let us in
Knows where we’ve been
In his octopus’s garden
In the shade

“Photograph” by Ringo Starr from Ringo (1973)

Another song performed by Ringo, this track, which was written by he and Harrison, comes from the drummer’s self-titled 1973 LP Ringo. As far as the lyrics, the tune is about missing a loved one in her absence. The singer continues to remember what he and the lost object of his affection had together. But it is also no more. The singer’s heart is broken, he is alone, and his only solace is to remember in his mind what they had when he sees her photograph. It’s a lush, though melancholy classic rock offering, which also hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. And on it, Ringo sings,

Ev’ry time I see your face,
It reminds me of the places we used to go.
But all I got is a photograph
And I realize you’re not coming back anymore.

I thought I’d make it the day you went away,
But I can’t make it
Till you come home again to stay.

“Wah-Wah” by George Harrison from All Things Must Pass (1970)

This song comes from Harrison’s triple album, which he released shortly after the breakup of The Beatles in 1970. The song is both about his frustration with Beatles members Paul McCartney and John Lennon and a statement about his freedom now as a solo artist. But as usual when it came to Harrison and Ringo, the song doesn’t feature any malice between the two. In fact, Ringo played drums on the track, as Harrison sings,

Wah-wah
You’ve given me a wah-wah
And I’m thinking of you
And all the things that we used to do
Wah-wah, wah-wah

Wah-wah
You made me such a big star
Being there at the right time
Cheaper than a dime
Wah-wah, you’ve given me your
Wah-wah, wah-wah

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