Ringo Starr (post-Beatles)

1973 Ringo (7)

Technically speaking, this is The Beatles' 14th album, because all four former members of the band have contributed songs to it. The best track on the album, haunting "Photograph", has been co-written by Ringo Starr and George Harrison. Ringo has three additional songs: excellent "Oh My My", fine "Devil Woman" and weak "Step Lightly". 39 years later, a new (but equally unimpressive) version of "Step Lightly" will be released on "Ringo 2012". George also contributes two more songs: "You And Me (Babe)" and "Sunshine Life For Me (Sail Away Raymond)". John Lennon has "I'M The Greatest" and Paul McCartney has "Six O'Clock". Superb "You're Sixteen" and average "Have You Seen My Baby" are cover songs. The 1991 reissue of the album includes three excellent singles by Ringo Starr: "Early 1970" (1971), "It Don't Come Easy" (1971) and "Down And Out" (1973).

1974 Goodnight Vienna (8)

The best original songs on this album are "No No Song" (written for Ringo by Hoyt Axton and David Jackson) and "Snookeroo" (written about Ringo Starr by Elton John and Bernie Taupin). Fine "Easy For Me" has been written for the album by Harry Nilsson. There are also three songs written by Ringo: fine "Call Me", disappointing "All By Myself" and weak "Oo-Wee". John Lennon contributes two versions of the same great song, "(It's All Down To) Goodnight Vienna". The rest are covers: "Occapella", "Husbands And Wives" and "Only You (And You Alone)". Sadly, it would be Ringo's last hit album for a very long time. The 1992 reissue of the album includes two singles by Ringo Starr: excellent "Back Off Boogaloo" (1972) and weird "Blindman" (1972).

1976 Ringo's Rotogravure (7)

Another de facto Beatles album, with three songs by Ringo Starr (delightful "Cryin'", mariachi-flavoured "Las Brisas" and whimsical "Lady Gaye"), and one each from John (fine "Cookin' In The Kitchen of Love"), Paul (excellent "Pure Gold") and George (moody "I'll Still Love You"). "A Dose Of Rock 'n' Roll", the best among original songs here, has been written specially for the album by Carl Groszman. Fine "This Be Called A Song" has been written for the album by Eric Clapton. There is also a perfectly fine song called "You Don't Know Me At All", credited to a certain Dave Jordan, a mysterious musician that nobody knows... at all. Uncredited (and experimental) "Spooky Weirdness" is a quirky, ad-libbed piece that closes the album. Superb "Hey! Baby" (definitely the best track on the album) is a cover song. It's the last album to feature active involvement from all four former Beatles. It's one of Ringo's best, but it hasn't been a commercial success.

1977 Ringo The 4th (5)

Ringo's disco album. Six original songs, all quite disappointing: "Wings", "Gave It All Up", "Out On The Streets", "Gypsies In Flight", "Simple Love Song" and "It's No Secret". 35 years later, Ringo will eventually release a far superior version of "Wings" on "Ringo 2012". "Drowning In The Sea Of Love" (the best track, and also, sadly, the only good track on the album), "Sneaking Sally Through The Alley", "Can She Do It Like She Dances" and "Tango All Night" are covers. The album has been a complete flop, both commercially and artistically.

1978 Bad Boy (2)

Another flop. A cover, "Heart On My Sleeve", is once again the best song on the album. But at least there is also another fine song, "Old Time Relovin'", one of two original compositions by Ringo Starr.  The other one, "Who Needs A Heart", is quite disappointing. There are also seven other cover songs.

1981 Stop And Smell The Roses (4)

After three commercial flops in a row, it's Paul and George to the rescue of poor Ringo. John Lennon had also been due to participate in the recording as well, having offered Starr the songs "Life Begins At 40" and "Nobody Told Me", but he was murdered in New York a month before the sessions were to have taken place. Starr was devastated by that news, so he decided not to record either song. There are only two original tracks by Ringo Starr on the album: excellent "Stop And Take The Time To Smell The Roses" and weak "Dead Giveaway". Two fine songs by Paul McCartney: "Private Property" and "Attention". One excellent song from George Harrison, "Wrack My Brain" (the best track on the album). And four covers: "Drumming Is My Madness", "You Belong To Me", "Sure To Fall" and "You've Got A Nice Way", all quite good. It's Ringo's best album in 5 years, but it has been a commercial flop anyway. The 1994 reissue of the album includes two weak songs by Ringo: "Wake Up" and "You Can't Fight Lightning".

1983 Old Wave (5)

After four commercial flops in a row, Ringo Starr hires Joe Walsh, a former member of the recently disbanded Eagles, to help him with his next project, "Old Wave". However, this album is a failure as well, and Ringo will not make another one for almost a decade. There are five original songs by Ringo Starr here. Only one, "Hopeless" (the best track on the album), is any good. The other four, "Alibi", "In My Car", "Going Down" and "Everybody's In A Hurry But Me" are quite unimpressive. There are also four cover songs: "Picture Show Life", "I Keep Forgettin'", "As Far As We Can Go" and "She's About A Mover". The first two are fine, but the other two are disappointing. Weak "Be My Baby" has been written by Joe Walsh.

1992 Time Takes Time (5)

By 1992, Ringo's career seems to be over. It's been 22 years since the Beatles split up, and he hasn't had a hit album in 18 years. Worse, he hasn't even had a failed album in 9 years. So it would be a perfect time for a nice comeback album, right? Wrong."Time Takes Time" has also been a commercial flop, just like Ringo's previous five albums. But at least the songs are fine. Ringo Starr contributes three excellent compositions: "Don't Go Where The Road Don't Go", "After All These Years" and "Runaways". Also excellent is "I Don't Believe You", written for the album by Jellyfish. But the best track is "Weight Of The World", written for the album by Brian O'Doherty and Fred Velez. Three weak songs, "All In The Name Of Love", "Don't Know A Thing About Love" and "What Goes Around", have been written by various songwriters. "Golden Blunders" and "In A Heartbeat" are cover songs (and neither is particularly good). 

1998 Vertical Man (11)

Ringo's greatest album. A terrific achievement in every respect. But still a commercial flop. By now, one must accept the obvious. Whether he makes a great album (like "Ringo's Rotogravure", "Stop And Smell The Roses", "Time Takes Time" and this one) or a bad one (like "Ringo The 4th", "Bad Boy" and "Old Wave"), Ringo can't sell his music. But he can still sell concert tickets. And most importantly, he can still write and record great songs. And that's all that matters. There are 11 songs written by Ringo Starr here, an absolute record. Among them, three timeless classics: "Mindfield" (the best song here, and also, arguably, Ringo's best song ever), "One" and "La De Da". Three fabulously innovative gems: "Without Understanding", "Puppet" and "I Was Walkin'". And five excellent delights: "What In The... World", "Vertical Man", "King Of Broken Hearts", "I'll Be Fine Anywhere" and "I'M Yours". The album also has two cover songs ("Love Me Do" by the Beatles, and "Drift Away"), both very impressive. 

Arguably, "Vertical Man" might just be the best solo album by a former member of the Beatles. Better than John Lennon's great "Imagine" album from 1971. Better than Paul McCartney's fabulous "McCartney II" album from 1980. And better than George Harrison's superb "Cloud Nine" album from 1987.

1999 I Wanna Be Santa Claus (6)

An underrated gem of an album. Three excellent original songs by Ringo: "I Wanna Be Santa Claus", "The Christmas Dance" and "Dear Santa". One odd and experimental exercise in atonal weirdness: "Pax Um Biscum (Peace Be With You)". Six very good covers: "Winter Wonderland", "The Little Drummer Boy", "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer", "Blue Christmas", "White Christmas" and "Christmas Time (Is Here Again)". And only two unimpressive original songs by Ringo: "Come On Christmas Christmas Come On" and "Christmas Eve". 

2003 Ringo Rama (17)

Wait! A Ringo Starr album without any cover songs? A Ringo Starr album with Ringo credited as a writer on ALL the tracks? Yes and yes. But how many tracks? 13. No, wait, 14. No, 17. Or maybe 16? Let me explain. The original album has 13 listed tracks and 1 hidden track. But a 3-disc version of the album, released the same year, also has 3 bonus tracks. Anyway, it's a fabulous album. All the songs are great, even those on the bonus tracks and on the hidden track. Three timeless classics: "Never Without You", "Elizabeth Reigns" and "OK Ray". Five superb tunes: "I Think Therefore I Rock And Roll", "Missouri Loves Company", "I'M Home", "What Love Wants To Be" and "Blink". Six good songs: "Write One For Me", "Instant Amnesia", "Love First Ask Questions Later", "Eye To Eye", "English Garden" and "Trippin' On My Own Tears". And three fine efforts: "Imagine Me There", "Memphis In Your Mind" and "I Really Love Her".

2005 Choose Love (12)

Three fabulous tunes: "Don't Hang Up", "Give Me Back The Beat" and "Oh My Lord". Three good songs: "Free Drinks", "Some People" and "Fading In Fading Out". Two fine ballads: "Hard To Be True" and "Wrong All The Time". But four songs are quite disappointing: "Choose Love", "Me And You", "Satisfied" and "The Turnaround".

2008 Liverpool 8 (12)

Three good songs: "Liverpool 8", "If It's Love That You Want" and "Give It A Try". Five very unusual compositions for Ringo Starr: "Gone Are The Days", "Harry's Song", "Pasodobles", "R U Ready" and "Love Is". And four weak tunes: "For Love", "Think About You", "Tuff Love" and "Now That She's Gone Away". 

2010 Y Not (10)

Three great song: "Peace Dream", "Walk With You" and "The Other Side Of Liverpool". One weird, but original composition, "Y Not". But the rest is quite unimpressive: "Mystery Of The Night", "Everyone Wins", "Time", "Can't Do It Wrong", "Fill In The Blanks" and "Who's Your Daddy".

2012 Ringo 2012 (6)

Five original songs written by Ringo Starr: "In Liverpool", "Anthem", "Samba", "Wonderful" and "Slow Down", all quite good. "Step Lightly" and "Wings" are new versions of Ringo's songs from "Ringo" (1973) and "Ringo The 4th" (1977), respectively. The new version of "Step Lightly" is just as unimpressive as the old one, but the new "Wings" is far superior to the original. "Think It Over" and "Rock Island Line" are cover songs, both quite weak.

2015 Postcards From Paradise (11)

One masterpiece: "Rory And The Hurricanes". Six very good compositions: "Postcards From Paradise", "Touch And Go", "Island In The Sun", "Bamboula", "Right Side Of The Road" and "You Bring The Party Down". And four fine songs: "Not Looking Back", "Bridges", "Confirmation" and "Let Love Lead".

2017 Give More Love (10)

A terrific album. All ten songs are excellent: "King Of The Kingdom", "So Wrong For So Long", "Give More Love", "Speed Of Sound", "Show Me The Way" , "Laughable", "Electricity", "Standing Still", "Shake It Up" and "We're On The Road Again".

2019 What's My Name (6)

Ringo's last studio album. Two excellent tunes: "Thank God For Music" and "Send Love Spread Peace". And four fine songs: "Magic", "Gotta Get Up to Get Down", "It's Not Love That You Want" and "Life Is Good". There are also four covers.

2021 Zoom In (2)

Two fine songs written by Ringo Starr: "Teach Me To Tango" and "Waiting For The Tide To Turn".

2023 Rewind Forward (1)

An excellent song by Ringo Starr, "Rewind Forward". A nice song by Paul McCartney, "Feeling The Sunlight". And two average cover songs: "Shadows On The Wall" and "Miss Jean".

Other songs:

weak "You'll Never Know" (1991)

weak "Coochy Coochy" (1995)

weak "Nashville Jam" (1995)

fine "It's Love" (2008)

weak "I Wish I Was A Powerpuff Girl" (2014)

good "Just That Way" (Change The World, 2021)

good "Free Your Soul" (EP3, 2022)

Top 120 Ringo Starr songs

1. "Mindfield" (Vertical Man, 1998)

2. "Photograph" (Ringo, 1973)

3. "Early 1970" (1971)

4. "Never Without You" (Ringo Rama, 2003)

5. "Octopus's Garden" (Abbey Road, 1969)

6. "It Don't Come Easy" (The Concert For Bangladesh, 1971)

7. "Back Off Boogaloo" (1972)

8. "One" (Vertical Man, 1998)

9. "Oh My My" (Ringo, 1973)

10. "La De Da" (Vertical Man, 1998)

11. "Rory And The Hurricanes" (Postcards From Paradise, 2015)

12. "Don't Hang Up" (Choose Love, 2005)

13. "Elizabeth Reigns" (Ringo Rama, 2003)

14. "Give Me Back The Beat" (Choose Love, 2005)

15. "Stop And Take The Time To Smell The Roses" (Stop And Smell The Roses, 1981)

16. "OK Ray" (Ringo Rama, 2003)

17. "King Of The Kingdom" (Give More Love, 2017)

18. "No No Song" (Hoyt Axton, David Jackson, Goodnight Vienna, 1974)

19. "Devil Woman" (Ringo, 1973)

20. "Oh My Lord" (Choose Love, 2005)

21. "Peace Dream" (Y Not, 2010)

22. "I Think Therefore I Rock And Roll" (Ringo Rama, 2003)

23. "Liverpool 8" (Liverpool 8, 2008)

24. "Without Understanding" (Vertical Man, 1998)

25. "Missouri Loves Company" (Ringo Rama, 2003)

26. "Thank God For Music" (What's My Name, 2019)

27. "So Wrong For So Long" (Give More Love, 2017)

28. "Weight Of The World" (Brian O'Doherty, Fred Velez, Time Takes Time, 1992)

29. "Puppet" (Vertical Man, 1998)

30. "Send Love Spread Peace" (What's My Name, 2019)

31. "Give More Love" (Give More Love, 2017)

32. "Hopeless" (Old Wave, 1983)

33. "Don't Go Where The Road Don't Go" (Time Takes Time, 1992)

34. "Speed Of Sound" (Give More Love, 2017)

35. "I Was Walkin'" (Vertical Man, 1998)

36. "A Dose Of Rock 'n' Roll" (Carl Groszman, Ringo's Rotogravure, 1976)

37. "Cryin'" (Ringo's Rotogravure, 1976)

38. "Show Me The Way" (Give More Love, 2017)

39. "What In The... World" (Vertical Man, 1998)

40. "I Wanna Be Santa Claus" (I Wanna Be Santa Claus, 1999)

41. "After All These Years" (Time Takes Time, 1992)

42. "Postcards From Paradise" (Postcards From Paradise, 2015)

43. "I'M Home" (Ringo Rama, 2003)

44. "Snookeroo" (Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Goodnight Vienna, 1974)

45. "Laughable" (Give More Love, 2017)

46. "Touch And Go" (Postcards From Paradise, 2015)

47. "Just That Way" (Change The World, 2021)

48. "What Love Wants To Be" (Ringo Rama, 2003)

49. "The Christmas Dance" (I Wanna Be Santa Claus, 1999)

50. "Electricity" (Give More Love, 2017)

51. "In Liverpool" (Ringo 2012, 2012)

52. "I Don't Believe You" (Jellyfish, Time Takes Time, 1992)

53. "Vertical Man" (Vertical Man, 1998)

54. "Standing Still" (Give More Love, 2017)

55. "Anthem" (Ringo 2012, 2012)

56. "Island In The Sun" (Postcards From Paradise, 2015)

57. "Blink" (Ringo Rama, 2003)

58. "What Goes On" (Rubber Soul, 1965)

59. "Wings" (new version from Ringo 2012, 2012)

60. "Free Drinks" (Choose Love, 2005)

61. "Samba" (Ringo 2012, 2012)

62. "If It's Love That You Want" (Liverpool 8, 2008)

63. "Write One For Me" (Ringo Rama, 2003)

64. "You Don't Know Me At All" (Ringo's Rotogravure, 1976)

65. "Wonderful" (Ringo 2012, 2012)

66. "Don't Pass Me By" (The White Album, 1968)

67. "Free Your Soul" (EP3, 2022)

68. "Bamboula" (Postcards From Paradise, 2015)

69. "Runaways" (Time Takes Time, 1992)

70. "Slow Down" (Ringo 2012, 2012)

71. "Dear Santa" (I Wanna Be Santa Claus, 1999)

72. "Instant Amnesia" (Ringo Rama, 2003)

73. "King Of Broken Hearts" (Vertical Man, 1998)

74. "Teach Me To Tango" (Zoom In, 2021)

75. "Las Brisas" (Ringo's Rotogravure, 1976)

76. "Right Side Of The Road" (Postcards From Paradise, 2015)

77. "Some People" (Choose Love, 2005)

78. "Walk With You" (Y Not, 2010)

79. "Love First Ask Questions Later" (Ringo Rama, 2003)

80. "Rewind Forward" (Rewind Forward, 2023)

81. "Magic" (What's My Name, 2019)

82. "Eye To Eye" (Ringo Rama, 2003)

83. "Give It A Try" (Liverpool 8, 2008)

84. "You Bring The Party Down" (Postcards From Paradise, 2015)

85. "English Garden" (Ringo Rama, 2003)

86. "I'll Be Fine Anywhere" (Vertical Man, 1998)

87. "Fading In Fading Out" (Choose Love, 2005)

88. "Trippin' On My Own Tears" (Ringo Rama, 2003)

89. "Gone Are The Days" (Liverpool 8, 2008)

90. "Lady Gaye" (Ringo's Rotogravure, 1976)

91. "Gotta Get Up to Get Down" (What's My Name, 2019)

92. "Harry's Song" (Liverpool 8, 2008)

93. "Y Not" (Y Not, 2010)

94. "Imagine Me There" (Ringo Rama, 2003)

95. "Call Me" (Goodnight Vienna, 1974)

96. "Hard To Be True" (Choose Love, 2005)

97. "Pasodobles" (Liverpool 8, 2008)

98. "Waiting For The Tide To Turn" (Zoom In, 2021)

99. "Memphis In Your Mind" (Ringo Rama, 2003)

100. "Shake It Up" (Give More Love, 2017)

101. "Pax Um Biscum (Peace Be With You)" (I Wanna Be Santa Claus, 1999)

102. "It's Love" (2008)

103. "Wrong All The Time" (Choose Love, 2005)

104. "R U Ready" (Liverpool 8, 2008)

105. "Not Looking Back" (Postcards From Paradise, 2015)

106. "Easy For Me" (Harry Nilsson, Goodnight Vienna, 1974)

107. "I Really Love Her" (Ringo Rama, 2003)

108. "It's Not Love That You Want" (What's My Name, 2019)

109. "I'M Yours" (Vertical Man, 1998)

110. "We're On The Road Again" (Give More Love, 2017)

111. "Bridges" (Postcards From Paradise, 2015)

112. "Down And Out" (1973)

113. "Life Is Good" (What's My Name, 2019)

114. "This Be Called A Song" (Eric Clapton, Ringo's Rotogravure, 1976)

115. "Love Is" (Liverpool 8, 2008)

116. "Confirmation" (Postcards From Paradise, 2015)

117. "The Other Side Of Liverpool" (Y Not, 2010)

118. "Old Time Relovin'" (Bad Boy, 1978)

119. "Let Love Lead" (Postcards From Paradise, 2015)

120. "Spooky Weirdness" (Ringo's Rotogravure, 1976)

40 worst Ringo Starr songs

1. "Who's Your Daddy" (Y Not, 2010)

2. "It's No Secret" (Ringo The 4th, 1977)

3. "Oo-Wee" (Goodnight Vienna, 1974)

4. "Now That She's Gone Away" (Liverpool 8, 2008)

5. "Who Needs A Heart" (Bad Boy, 1978)

6. "The Turnaround" (Choose Love, 2005)

7. "Everybody's In A Hurry But Me" (Old Wave, 1983)

8. "You'll Never Know" (1991)

9. "Fill In The Blanks" (Y Not, 2010)

10. "Tuff Love" (Liverpool 8, 2008)

11. "You Can't Fight Lightning" (Stop And Smell The Roses Reissue, 1994)

12. "Simple Love Song" (Ringo The 4th, 1977)

13. "Coochy Coochy" (1995)

14. "Can't Do It Wrong" (Y Not, 2010)

15. "Flying" (Magical Mystery Tour, 1967)

16. "Gypsies In Flight" (Ringo The 4th, 1977)

17. "Nashville Jam" (1995)

18. "Christmas Eve" (I Wanna Be Santa Claus, 1999)

19. "Wake Up" (Stop And Smell The Roses Reissue, 1994)

20. "Going Down" (Old Wave, 1983)

21. "Out On The Streets" (Ringo The 4th, 1977)

22. "Time" (Y Not, 2010)

23. "Blindman" (1972)

24. "Think About You" (Liverpool 8, 2008)

25. "Satisfied" (Choose Love, 2005)

26. "Step Lightly" (Ringo, 1973)

27. "In My Car" (Old Wave, 1983)

28. "Everyone Wins" (Y Not, 2010)

29. "Dead Giveaway" (Stop And Smell The Roses, 1981)

30. "Gave It All Up" (Ringo The 4th, 1977)

31. "I Wish I Was A Powerpuff Girl" (2014)

32. "Come On Christmas Christmas Come On" (I Wanna Be Santa Claus, 1999)

33. "Dig It" (Let It Be, 1970)

34. "For Love" (Liverpool 8, 2008)

35. "All By Myself" (Goodnight Vienna, 1974)

36. "Mystery Of The Night" (Y Not, 2010)

37. "Me And You" (Choose Love, 2005)

38. "Alibi" (Old Wave, 1983)

39. "Christmas Time (Is Here Again)" (1967)

40. "Choose Love" (Choose Love, 2005)