Ringo Starr may have contributed the least in terms of songwriting to The Beatles, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a stellar drummer. In fact, there are a few songs by the Fab Four through the years that really showcase his drumming talent. Let’s look into four times Ring Starr proved he was a genius drummer for The Beatles!
1. “Something”
“Something” is one of George Harrison’s best songwriting efforts, and even marginal fans consider it one of The Beatles’ very best songs. Ringo Starr shines as a drummer on this track with drum fills that are both simple but very prominent. If you get a chance to listen to the isolated drum track, it’s really impressive. His iconic “slinging shoulder” influenced a number of rock drummers who followed in his footsteps as well.
Videos by American Songwriter
2. “She Said, She Said”
John Lennon penned this tune for the 1966 album Revolver. One could say this song marked the band’s departure from pop music fodder and their entrance into psychedelic, experimental works. Due to an in-studio argument, Paul McCartney left and isn’t featured on the recorded track. However, Starr managed to make up for his absence with his drumming.
Starr’s rhythm on this acid-psych tune is quite underrated. He pulled out the most unique aspects of his drumming style for this track and managed to be precise and intentional.
3. “Ticket To Ride”
It’s wild to think “Ticket To Ride” was released in 1965; it was truly ahead of its time. Part of what makes this particular song so addictive is Starr’s energetic drumming. Lennon famously said that this song was the first “heavy metal” record and that much is evident in Starr’s style of drumming. The drums are heavy, effortless, and masterful.
4. “Come Together”
Starr never shied away from his “unusual” style of drumming for The Beatles. As mentioned earlier, Starr liked to drum “with his shoulder”, a style that involved a lot of swinging of the limbs. It’s offbeat and different, and you can hear it in the drum fills in “Come Together”.
That blend of both casualty and control, heaviness and lightness, and overall looseness to the way Ringo Starr played are what make him such an iconic drummer. He doesn’t get enough credit for it; and whether drummers today want to admit it or not, he influenced the way percussionists played in the decades that followed The Beatles’ breakup.
Photo by Scott Robert Ritchie
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.