All these decades even after their breakup, The Beatles remains a name synonymous with catchy melodies, groundbreaking music, and…well, maybe not always sunshine and rainbows. While the band undeniably brought the world together with their music, tensions occasionally simmered beneath the surface.
We all know John Lennon’s famous quip about the Fab Four being “more popular than Jesus”, a statement that caused no small amount of controversy. But what about Ringo Starr, the ever-optimistic drummer? Surely he held nothing but love for his band and their music, right?
Think again. While Ringo rarely voiced negativity about the Beatles or his bandmates, acting as a calming presence throughout their career, there were whispers of hidden dissatisfaction.
Digging deeper, we combed through interviews, books, and public statements to unearth a surprising truth: Ringo Starr wasn’t entirely enamored with every Beatles song. This article will reveal 10 Beatles tunes that Ringo actually disliked, some of which might leave you scratching your head.
1. “Little Child”, With The Beatles (1963)
“Little Child” wasn’t always destined for greatness. Originally intended for Ringo Starr on their 1963 UK album With the Beatles, the song was penned by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Despite being written for him, Ringo wasn’t a fan. He opted for “I Wanna Be Your Man” instead, a song that would become a signature piece for the drummer.
Left with a gap on the album, the task of singing “Little Child” fell to John Lennon. While not Ringo’s preferred choice, the song still made it onto the album, showcasing the collaborative spirit and adaptability that defined the early Beatles.
2. “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer”, Abbey Road (1969)
“Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” stands out as a peculiar song on The Beatles’ 1969 album, Abbey Road. While credited to Lennon-McCartney, it was primarily McCartney’s vision. The song blends a catchy music hall style with innovative studio techniques. However, the recording process proved to be a contentious one.
McCartney’s pursuit of perfection clashed with the rest of the band’s energy. The sessions dragged on, leaving Ringo utterly drained. In a 2008 interview, he described them as “the worst session ever”, not subtle about the song itself and the weeks-long ordeal of recording it. This experience undoubtedly contributed to the growing tensions within the band at the time.
3. “Here Comes The Sun”, Abbey Road (1969)
“Here Comes the Sun” is a beloved Beatles classic, often hailed as one of their greatest achievements. However, the recording process wasn’t quite as smooth sailing as one might expect. Ringo faced significant challenges with the song’s unusual time signature.
Ringo’s signature tom fills are a crucial element of the song’s charm. Ironically, he reportedly disliked recording them due to his inability to replicate them consistently. His natural drumming style relied on feel rather than strict counting, making the drastic time changes after the chorus particularly tricky for him.
Starr himself elaborated on this difficulty years later: “George had been to India again, and he said, I’ve got this song, it’s in seven and a half time. I mean, he may as well have talked to me in Arabic. I can’t think of counting to seven for the beat, that’s just not my brain. So I had to find some way that I played it in a way every time so it came off on the right time.”
4. “If You’ve Got Trouble”, Anthology 2 (1996)
Ringo often found himself singing lesser-known Lennon-McCartney compositions. Tracks like “What Goes On” and “I Wanna Be Your Man” primarily served as album filler, and Ringo often relied on covers. “If You’ve Got Trouble” was intended to be his showcase on the Help! album, and has remained unreleased until the 1996 Beatles compilation album Anthology 2.
Despite being written for him, Ringo disliked the song and ultimately opted to sing “Act Naturally” for Help! instead. Years later, even Harrison expressed his distaste for the track. He vaguely recalled its recording and dismissed it as “strange” with “stupid words” and “disgusting”. These negative perspectives from both band members ultimately led to the song’s rejection and obscurity.
5. Bonus: Paul Mccartney’s Ram (1971)
In 1971, Ringo Starr took a surprising jab at his former McCartney’s solo work. While not a Beatles song itself, Ringo harshly criticized Ram, Paul’s second solo album. His comments, published in Melody Maker magazine, were blunt: “I feel sad about Paul’s albums. I don’t think there’s one tune on the last one, Ram. I just feel he’s wasted his time. He seems to be going strange.”
This public criticism likely stemmed from the growing tension between Paul and the other former Beatles. The band’s recent break-up was still fresh, and Ringo’s comments might reflect frustrations within the group. Additionally, Ram received mixed reviews upon release, and Ringo’s words could be seen as echoing the wider critical reception at the time.