Photograph has been a common title in Ringo Starr’s career: the name of his first #1 solo song, a best of album, and a hobby
It was the first single from his Ringo album, a #1 U.S. chart hit and earned a million-seller gold record for the former drummer for The Beatles. And the result of the only recorded official songwriting collaboration between onetime bandmates Ringo Starr and George Harrison (although Ringo readily admits that Harrison also contributed to his previous 1972 hit “Back Off Boogaloo”).
Ringo and George wrote the song, “Photograph,” on a yacht on the Mediterranean off the South of France. They recorded an initial version of the song that ruminates on lost love after seeing a photo during the sessions for Harrisons’s Living in the Material World album.
The recording of “Photograph” that became a hit was tracked in Los Angeles with producer Richard Perry. Harrison played acoustic 12-string guitar on the song and sang background vocals. The string and choral arrangements were by Jack Nitzsche, known for his work with the likes of Phil Spector. On November 18, 1973, it became the first of his two solo singles to reach #1 in the U.S.
Related: Our Album Rewind of Ringo’s 1973 solo breakthrough
The single wouldn’t be the only creative endeavor by Starr – an avid photographer – that used “Photograph” as its title. It was also the name of a 2007 Ringo “best of” album. And the title of a 2,500 copy signed limited edition book of Starr’s photography first published in 2013, which was re-published in a general consumer issue in 2015, available here.
When Ringo tours again with his All Starr Band, tickets are available here and here.
Watch Ringo sing his big hit
Ringo enjoyed a second #1 hit with his very next single, “You’re Sixteen.” He would ultimately earn eight Top 10 singles in the U.S. (though just four in the U.K.).
Related: Our 2018 review of Ringo and his All-Starr Band
Ringo will release a country music album, Look Up, produced and co-written by T Bone Burnett, on January 10, 2025. The collection features 11 original songs, recorded in Nashville and Los Angeles. The album is available for pre-order in the U.S. here and in the U.K. here.
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4 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationYou didn’t mention Bobby Keys, whose saxophone solo is icing of the cake!
Absolutely! Bobby was the MAN!
I love Ringo!!! And his songs from back then really bring back great memories.
Harrison also didn’t receive co-writing credit for “It Don’t Come Easy”. It was produced by Harrison, who also helped write the song, although only Starr is credited.