Ringo Starr’s Great New Song, Featuring Paul McCartney: Watch
by Best Classic Bands Staff
Ringo Starr (Photo: Scott Robert Ritchie; used with permission)
Ringo Starr has released a second track from his forthcoming EP, Zoom In. The song, “Zoom In, Zoom Out,” follows “Here’s to the Nights,” which arrived on Dec. 16, 2020. The latter, about peace, love and friendship was written by Diane Warren, and is the best thing he’s done in years. It features his friends, some longtime and some new, including Paul McCartney, Joe Walsh, Corinne Bailey Rae, Eric Burdon, Sheryl Crow, FINNEAS, Dave Grohl, Ben Harper, Lenny Kravitz, Jenny Lewis, Steve Lukather, Chris Stapleton and Yola. Listen to both below.
“When Diane presented this song to me I loved the sentiment of it,” said Starr. “This is the kind of song we all want to sing along to, and it was so great how many wonderful musicians joined in. I wanted it out in time for New Years because it feels like a good song to end a tough year on. So here’s to the nights we won’t remember and the friends we won’t forget – and I am wishing everyone peace and love for 2021.”
Starr made a surprise appearance at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards on March 14, 2021, when he presented the award for Record of the Year. Watch him below.
McCartney and Starr in the “Here’s to the Nights” video
Zoom In was recorded at Starr’s home studio between April- October 2020. For this EP, scheduled for release on March 19, 2021 via UMe, Starr collaborated with songwriters and producers including Jeff Zobar who penned the title track, “Zoom In, Zoom Out” during the pandemic, and features the Doors’ Robbie Krieger on guitar; Sam Hollander who wrote and produced “Teach Me to Tango” – sending Ringo a nearly completed track onto which he added vocals and, of course, drums; Ringo co-wrote “Waiting For the Tide to Turn” with his engineer Bruce Sugar, adding Tony Chen and his extensive reggae roots; and “Not Enough Love in the World” which was written by long time All Starr member Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams.
Watch Ringo, McCartney, Walsh, Crow and company sing and perform “Here’s to the Nights”
Taking every precaution, Starr invited only a few musicians at various times to his home studio to record the music. Joining Starr were musicians Nathan East (bass), Steve Lukather (guitar), Bruce Sugar (synth guitar), Benmont Tench (piano), Charlie Bisharat (violin), Jacob Braun (cello), and Jim Cox (string arrangements and synth strings).
Listen to “Zoom In, Zoom Out,” released on March 12
Related: Starr turned 80 on July 7, 2020, with a little help from his friends
With 4 tracks completed, Ringo thought the EP was done. That is until Lukather came over, with his friend and musician Joseph Williams. As Starr tells the story: “We had four tracks – and then Lukather came over and brought this semi produced track, ‘Not Enough Love In the World’. The sentiment of it – not enough peace in the world, not enough love – I could not not do it – I had to do this track. So I put the vocals on, the drums on, Steve played a bit more guitar, Joe added some harmonies, and it all came together. It was the quickest track we did on the record.”
Throughout his career, Ringo Starr has received nine GRAMMY® Awards and has twice been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — first as a Beatle and then as solo artist. Between 1970 and 2020, Ringo has released 20 solo studio records. He has acted in over 15 films, received an Academy Award®, and has been nominated as an actor for an Emmy®. Ringo has published seven books; had a stint as a male fashion model, and that same year went behind the lens as the photographer for some Foo Fighters PR photos. In 2018, Ringo was knighted and in 2019 he celebrated 30 years of touring with his All Starr Bands.
Watch Starr present the Grammy Award for Record of the Year
Ringo’s 2020 tour with the All Starr Band was moved to 2021 due to the pandemic. Tickets are available here and here.
22 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationGod bless Ringo!
Great Song Ringo
Sir Richard (no middle name) Starkey, M.B.E. is in excellent voice!! Hope it’s a chart invader, Ringo!
What a great new song with Ringo sounding so good. Excellent!
Sounds Great!
Ringo was it seemed the quiet one with the Beatles. They let him sneak in a song or 2. BUT LOOK AT HIM NOW LIVIN RIGHT AND TRUCKIN AHEAD GOD BLESS YA SIR
Who would’ve guessed that Ringo would sing better than McCartney in 2020?
Best Classic Bands Staff, you are the best! You are the best of the specialized rock press!
Thank you!
What a rocker. Thank you
This is a beautiful song and I’ve got it wired in my mind after the first play. Hope it gets lots of plays on the media. Well done Ringo!
Call your local radio station and request it. Then threaten them with a 2 by 4
What a tear-jerker. Beautiful song Ringo & band! The older generation can still do it.
Grandes The Beatles….grande Ringo……
Love it ~ very catchy and really love the video too. Great job, Ringo. Rock on ~ Peace and Love ~
Beautiful Ringo! And Hi Benmont!
Very touching. After years of playing all over the globe and also being in the most well known group in the history of music. It’s nice to see a great full heart, and the essence of Ringo’s feelings about his career in one great song. Very well done!
The Beatles changed the world and they have been an extraordinary blessing and joy for millions (if not billions) of people, and through all those years up to today they continue to uplift and give joy to us all.
The Beatles music touches our lives forever
This is a sweet song of love ❤️ for one another. Thank you Ringo and company
Always been a Beatles fan and especially a Ringo fan. Great song Ringo!! It’s a feel good song about life and friends! Well done! Speaking of done, you Mr. Ringo Starr are not done by any stretch! God bless!!
Beautiful, Ringo! I will hear this song deep within my heart for the rest of my life. Thank you! Peace and love to you… and to all you love.