The Beatles Song John Lennon Wrote for Ringo Starr, Called It “The Funniest Thing I’ve Ever Done”

Every so often, Paul McCartney and John Lennon would conjure up a Beatles song specifically for Ringo Starr to sing. And as one would expect from songs written for the least singing member of the band, some were better than others (both in chart performance and the general opinion of the rest of the band).

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One of the first songs Lennon wrote for Starr was left on the cutting room floor, although the musicians would mention the song in later interviews. To Lennon, it was hilarious. To George Harrison, the throwaway song was just plain weird.

John Lennon Wrote This Beatles Song For Ringo Starr

Although the Beatles originally intended for Ringo Starr to sing John Lennon’s song, “If You’ve Got Trouble,” on the 1965 album Help!, the band decided to scrap the song. From the lyrics to the melody to Starr’s humble performance, the Beatles ultimately left the song in the EMI Studios vault. During a 1965 interview with Melody Maker, Lennon described the song as hilarious.

“It’s the funniest thing I’ve ever done,” Lennon laughed. “I didn’t expect anybody to want to record it.” Guitarist George Harrison had an even blunter take. “It’s the most weird song,” he later said, per Anthology. “It’s got stupid words and is the naffest song. No wonder it didn’t make it onto anything.”

The track eventually saw the light of day when Apple Records included it on the 1996 compilation album, Anthology 2. “If You’ve Got Trouble” was the fifth track of the two-disc album, which also included cuts like “Real Love,” a live Shea Stadium performance of “Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby,” and a cover of Chuck Berry’s “Rock and Roll Music.”

The Track Played Into The Drummer’s Affable Persona

Every member of the Beatles gained succinct descriptions from their fan base that listeners used to categorize each member. Paul McCartney, for example, was the cute one. John Lennon was the witty one. George Harrison was the quiet one. And Ringo Starr was the lovable, somewhat dopey drummer who served as a sort of “everyman” figure. So, it’s no surprise that the band opted to have Starr sing “If You’ve Got Trouble,” considering its sad sack-adjacent lyrics. 

If you’ve got trouble, then you got less trouble than me. You say you’re worried. You can’t be as worried as me. You’re quite content to be bad with all the advantage you had over me. Just ‘cause you’re troubled then don’t bring your troubles to me. Later in the song Starr sings, You think I’m soft in the head. Well, try someone softer instead, pretty thing. It’s not so funny when you know what money can bring.

For whatever it’s worth, McCartney seemed to be a fan of the song. But if the band’s history proves anything, it’s that McCartney’s tastes didn’t always align with the rest of the group. (Looking at you, “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer.”)

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