Ringo STARR


Ringorama

(2003)



Ringo, with this album has easily created the most compelling solo work by any member of the BEATLES.
Every song is strong both lyrically and musically. The first track shows Ringo's experimentation with a harder, fiercer level of rock and roll: 80s power pop. This track explodes out of your speakers with spice and pomp.
'Missouri Loves Company' reveals Mr. Starr's inner self: soft, sentimental, master of the love song.
'Instant Amnesia' recalls Ringo's post-Beatles roots, and the addition of David Gilmour puts this track's quality above any song in the PINK FLOYD catalogue.
The next stellar cut, 'Memphis In Your Mind', exposes Ringo's love of classic american country, and his amazing skill as a lyricist is revealed in the line 'I kissed Peggy Sue/ and you could have too'. The Elvis clip is mind-blowing.
"Never Without You": SPECTACTULAR. Ringo's heart-felt tribute to his old pal George Harrison is made even greater by Gilmour's intricate guitar work. The chorus is ... sentimental, but in true Ringo-style, light-hearted.
'Imagine Me There' just plain blows 'Imagine' by Lennon out of the metaphorical waters.
The next cut, a standout track, 'I Think, Therefore I Rock and Roll', throws convention into the breeze and defies all logic; this is perhaps one segment of Ringo's much-anticipated trio of acid-as-inspiration rock songs, completed in the next two tracks (amazing as well).
On 'Love first, Ask Questions Later' Ringo opens a can of rock & roll whoopa** like only he can do.
'Elizabeth Reigns' is catchy and hints at Ringo's oft-rumored homosexual tendencies.
The final track, 'English Garden', closes the album beautifully. His sentimental side is brought to fruition, without losing sight of the obvious goal of the album, to say to the listener 'hi, i'm ringo', while at the same time KICKING A**. (by elaine a hall)



1. Eye To Eye 3'19
Written by: Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Steve Dudas, Dean Grakal
2. Missouri Loves Company 3'33
Written by: Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Steve Dudas, Dean Grakal
3. Instant Amnesia 5'13
Written by: Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Steve Dudas, Dean Grakal
4. Memphis In Your Mind 3'13
Written by: Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Steve Dudas, Gary Burr, Dean Grakal
5. Never Without You 5'24
Written by: Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Gary Nicholson
6. Imagine Me There 3'56
Written by: Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Gary Burr
7. I Think Therefore I Rock 'N' Roll 3'25
Written by: Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Dean Grakal, Paul Santo
8. Trippin' On My Own Tears 3'32
Written by: Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Gary Burr, Dean Grakal
9. Write One For Me 3'15
Written by: Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Gary Burr
10. What Love Wants To Be 3'03
Written by: Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Gary Burr
11. Love First, Ask Questions Later 4'45
Written by: Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Gary Burr, Dean Grakal
12. Elizabeth Reigns 3'57
Written by: Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Gary Burr, Steve Dudas, Dean Grakal
13. English Garden 2'18
Written by: Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Gary Burr, Steve Dudas, Dean Grakal
+ (I Really Love Her) 1'08
Written by: Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson

Total Time: 50:01


  • Ringo Starr - Drums (1-12, +), Acoustic Guitar (11, +), Electric Guitar (6, 7, +), Keyboards (5), Bass (+), Percussion (1-13, +), Slide Guitar (+), Megamouth (8), Lead Vocal (1-3, 6-13, +), Background Vocals (+)
  • Steve Dudas - Electric Guitar (1-6, 8, 9, 11-13), Guitar Solo (1, 3, 8), Bass (4, 7)
  • Mark Hudson - Acoustic Guitar (4), Electric Guitar (1, 4, 7, 12), Keyboards (6, 12), Mellotron (10, 11), Wurlitzer Organ (11), Bass (2, 3, 5, 6, 8-11, 13), Background Vocals (1-13)
  • Gary Burr - Bass (1), Acoustic Guitar (2-7, 9, 11-13), Electric Guitar (4, 8), Guitar Solo (10), Background Vocals (2-13)
  • David Gilmour - Guitar Solo (2, 7)
  • Eric Clapton - Guitar Solo (5, 6)
  • Paul Santo - Electric Guitar (7, 13), Bass (12)
  • Cliff Downs - Acoustic Guitar (8)
  • Dean Grakal - Acoustic Guitar (11)
  • Gary Nicholson - Twelve String Guitar (5)
  • Jim Cox - Hammond B3 Organ (2, 3, 5, 9, 11), Piano (4, 6, 7, 10, 12, 13), Wurlitzer (2, 3)
  • Herb Pedersen - Banjo (2)
  • Van Dyke Parks - Accordion (10, 12, 13)
  • Grant Geissman - Dobro (11)
  • Dan Higgins - Saxes (2-4, 7), Clarinet (13), Flute (6)
  • Gary S. Grant - Trumpet (4, 13), Piccolo Trumpet (12)
  • Roy Orbison - Mercy Growl (4)
  • Charlie Haden - Upright Bass (3, 6)
  • Mickey Raphael - Harmonica (8, 9), Bass Harmonica (12)
  • Jay Dee Maness - Pedal Steel (9)
  • Barbara Starkey - Background (13)
  • Buster, Monte, Mr. B, sleeping birdies (13)
  • Shawn Colvin - Guest Vocals (8)
  • Willie Nelson - Guest Vocals (9)
  • Sarah Hudson - Background Vocals (1, 7)
  • Nicole Renee Harris - Background Vocals (1, 7)
  • Cristina Rumbley - Background Vocals (1, 7)
  • Jack Blades - Background Vocals (1, 7)
  • Sophia Sunsen - Background Vocals (1)
  • Timothy B. Schmit - Background Vocals (2-4, 9)
  • Victoria Shaw - Background Vocals (7)
  • Adam Ray - Background Vocals (7)
  • Mark O'Shea - Background Vocals (7)
  • John O'Shea - Background Vocals (7)

    Produced by Mark Hadson and Ringo Starr
    Recorded by Paul Santo and Bruce Sugar
    Additional Recording by Tim LeBlanc, Steve Dudas
    Mixed by Dave Way
    Assistant Engineers: Tim LeBlanc, Matt Marrin, Damon Iddins
    Production Coordinators: John Rosenberg, Amy Galland
    String Arrangements, Horn Arrangements: Jim Cox
    Art Direction and Design: Tyrone Drake for
    LOLAMAX DESIGN
    Photos: Ringo Starr, Barbara Starkey, Mark Hudson, Dean Grakal
    Cover Illustration by Mark Hudson
    DVD Editing and Design: Brent Carpenter and John Franck
    Product Management: Tom Briggs for
    KOCH ENTERTAINMENT

    Big Thanks From Ringo:
    Barbara, Mark, Bruce, The BOUNDHEADS, Eric, David, Willie, Shawn, Timothy, Van Dyke, Charlie, Buster, Monte, Mr. B, Tim @ APPLE and all the incredible techs that helped plug me in.

    Mark Would Like To Thank:

    R & B, Sarah, Melanie, Wendy, Bruce and Bonnie Grakal, David Simone, Winston Simone, Adam Epstein, Maggie Reinhart, Amy Galland, John, Harry and Mr. G, Juliet Taff, Doug Feiger, John Amado, AUDIO ONE, Dave Franginni, Toby Seay, Mike Griffin, Mary Masi, John Titta, Brent Carpenter, The SALERNO FAMILY, Phil and Cynthia Taylor, Steve Greenberg, Claire, Geoff Callingham, Maryann Wlock, Ken Egawa, Justina Crosslin, Susan Garia, Laila, Ms. Ludi, Tony, Isabel, Richard Marlowe, Eimear Bradbury, Natasha, Tanya, Dennis, Carol, Caryl McGowan, Mike Spiwak and anyone who believes in peace and love.

    Ringo and Mark Would Like To Thank:

    Barbara Debison for leaning us Roy's Growl

    Eric Clapton appears courtesy of REPRISE RECORDS
    Willie Nelson appears courtesy of
    LOST HIGHWAY RECORDS
    Charlie Haden appears courtesy of
    UNIVERSAL MUSIC JAZZ FRANCE
    Shawn Colvin appears courtesy of COLUMBIA RECORDS

    Recorded at WHATINTHEWHAT? STUDIO, Los Angeles
    ROCCA BELLA STUDIO, England
    Mixed at
    ASTORIA STUDIO, London
    Mastered at
    STERLING SOUND, New York by George Martin





    1. Eye To Eye

      Remember when I said it don't come easy
      That seems so long ago
      Well nothing's changed,
      and if you don't believe me
      Look out your window

      I wonder why we gotta try
      To see eye to eye to eye
      What s mine is yours
      What s yours is mine
      When we see eye to eye to eye

      The world is spinning and our lives go faster
      It's getting out of control
      So don't lose sight of what we re going after
      It's in your heart and soul

      We'll never lose
      Why don't we choose
      To see eye to eye to eye
      If we begin
      We all can win
      When we see eye to eye to eye

      Let's fill the world with joy and laughter
      Do it now. there may be no after
      Peace and love and harmony
      Now tell me how hard can it be
      It's easy, it s easy

      Remember when I said
      it don't come easy
      That seems so long ago

      I wonder why
      It's hard to try
      To see eye to eye to eye
      What's mine is yours
      What's yours is mine
      If we see eye to eye to eye

      We never lose
      Why don't we choose

      We all can win
      When we begin

      Eye to eye to eye
      Eye to eye to eye

    2. Missouri Loves Company

      Is it a sin
      To live without
      To look within?
      I didn t know
      Which way to turn
      He had to go
      And so I ve learned

      And now forever and a day
      I will wait
      In that Show-Me-State

      Yes, Virginia
      there a world to see
      But without you
      where can it be?
      I'm goin to Kansas City
      But that s just me
      On a Greyhound bus
      from Tennessee
      No need to worry
      I ain't in no hurry
      Missouri loves company

      Down a country lane
      I leave behind
      A little pain
      And as I cross
      The county line
      And every state
      In my mind

      I've got nothin to lose
      Like St. Louis
      I've got the blues

      Yes, Virginia
      there's a world to see
      But without you
      where can it be?
      I'm goin' to Kansas City
      But that s just me
      On a Greyhound bus
      from Tennessee

      No need to worry
      I ain't in no hurry
      Missouri loves company

      Minneapolis through Saint Paul
      The pain's the same and that ain t all
      I'm headin north where my lover calls
      I'm not goin down like Niagara Falls

      I've got to do
      What's best for me
      That s finding you
      I II travel on
      Near or far
      Til I find
      The place you are

      Yes, Virginia there's a world to see
      But without you where can it be?
      I'm goin to Kansas City
      But that's just me
      All the way from Graceland Tennessee
      There's no need to worry
      I ain't in no hurry
      Missouri loves company

    3. Instant Amnesia

      Instant Amnesia
      Makes you forget
      Your worries
      Your troubles
      Forgives you your debt

      Instant Amnesia
      It's already gone
      You think you remember
      Tomorrow you're wrong

      Let it go
      Let it go

      Instant Amnesia
      It s just like a kiss
      You can't close your eyes
      It's too easy to miss

      Instant Amnesia
      You can't take no pill
      There's no medicine
      So it must be God s will

      Let it go
      Let it go

      Let it go

      Is this in my mind?
      In your mind
      Is this in my mind?
      In your mind
      Mind

      It's like instant karma
      You've been there before
      Do you hear the doctor?
      He's knockin' at your door

      Let it go
      Let it go
      Let it go

    4. Memphis In Your Mind

      A cat has nine lives, but man you don t live twice
      You can play for a price, bring your friend and his dice
      If you wanna be the King, you gotta go to Memphis in your mind

      Its a bad point of view, if Pat Boone got through to you
      I kissed Peggy Sue, and you could have too
      Ain't that a shame, you never went to Memphis in your mind

      There's no place cooler, when you got your bop-a-lu-la on
      Slip into your blue suede shoes, we're dancin 'til the break of dawn
      Sun Records will be playin , you'll know every word they re sayin s true
      Heartbreak Hotel is taking reservations, there's a room for you

      You can go to any town, get up but not get down
      If you wanna hear that rockin sound, then go to Memphis in your mind

      There's no place cooler, when you got your bop-a-lu-la on
      Slip into your blue suede shoes, we re dancin' 'til the break of dawn
      Sun Records will be playin , you'll know every word they're sayin s true
      Heartbreak Hotel is taking reservations, there s a room for you

      You can have two left feet, and you can still keep the beat
      If you're 16 and sweet, or you can't leave your seat
      If you wanna be the King, you gotta go to Memphis in your mind
      We can all be King
      So go to Memphis in your mind

    5. Never Without You

      We were young
      It was fun
      And we couldn't lose
      Times were right
      Overnight
      We were headline news
      Crazy days and reckless nights
      Limousines and bright spotlights
      We were brothers through it all

      And your song will play on
      Without you
      And this world
      Won't forget
      About you
      Every part of you
      was in your song
      Now we will carry on
      Never without you
      Within you, without you
      "Here Comes the Sun" is about you

      Here today
      Not atone
      With my memories
      Life is strange
      How things change
      It s reality
      You played a beautiful melody
      That keeps on haunting me
      I can always feel you
      by my side

      And your song will play on
      Without you
      And this world
      Won't forget
      About you
      Every part of you
      was in your song
      Now we will carry on
      Never without you
      Within you, without you
      "Here Comes the Sun" is about you

      I know all things must pass
      And only love will last
      I'll always love the memories
      Of you and me

      And your song will play on
      Without you
      And this world
      Won't forget
      About you
      Every part of you
      was in your song
      Now we will carry on
      Never without you
      Within you, without you
      We re never without you
      Within you, without you

      We're never without you
      We're never without you
      Within you, without you
      I think love is about you

    6. Imagine Me There

      When the curtains move
      In breezes unexpected
      Don t you worry,
      you will always be protected
      Imagine me there

      When you see the dacing shadows
      In the moonlight
      You will always have my love
      to make it alright
      Imagine me there

      Let the dawn break
      Without heartache
      All our lives
      imagine
      Never lonely
      Dream and I'll be
      By your side
      imagine
      Trust in love and love is everywhere
      Imagine me there

      When the next room
      Feels as far away as China
      You can always know, for sure,
      my love will find you
      Imagine me there

      Let the dawn break
      Without heartache
      All our lives
      Imagine
      Never lonely
      Dream and I II be
      By your side
      Imagine
      Trust in love and love is everywhere
      Imagine me there

      Sometimes life can be
      A fragile occupation
      When I find myself in frantic situations
      I imagine you there
      So imagine me there

      Imagine me there

    7. I Think Therefore I Rock 'N' Roll

      A happy man I did encounter
      Said to thyself be true
      One and one is only one
      Until you become one with you
      Everywhere you look is lovely
      If love is what you choose to see
      Nothing's hard as you can make it
      Its as easy as 1,2,3
      Here s my philosophy

      And he said
      To be or not to be
      I don't care
      The question is,
      Are you alive out there?
      It don't take brains,
      Just heart and soul
      I think, therefore
      I rock-and-roll

      I met the most amazing woman
      She means all the world to me
      In her eyes I saw our future
      She opened my mind to see
      She s my serenity

      And she said
      To be or not to be
      I don't care
      The question is,
      Are you alive out there?
      It don't take brains,
      Just heart and soul
      I think, therefore
      I rock-and-roll

      Somewhere, sometime
      Just look inside
      You are the life-line
      Somehow, time flies
      It feels so good
      To cry, baby cry
      Its as easy as 1,2,3
      That's my philosophy

      And I said:
      To be or not to be
      I don't care
      The question is,
      Are you alive out there?
      It don't take brains,
      Just heart and soul
      I think, therefore
      I rock-and-roll

      To be or not to be
      I don't care
      The question is,
      Are you alive out there?
      It don't take brains,
      Just heart and soul
      I think, therefore
      I rock-and-roll

    8. Trippin' On My Own Tears

      We were once upon a time
      Then your love disappeared
      You can't help crying
      When you love something so dear
      There's a mile of heartache that I had to cross
      Face down longing for the love I lost
      I can t help wonderin
      How I ended up here

      So I cried so hard
      I was trippin' on my own tears

      What was so confusing
      Is now becoming so clear
      She tried to tell me
      What I never wanted to hear
      It don't matter if the sun does shine
      It's always clouded now that you're not mine
      For one foolish moment,
      Won't you forgive me dear

      So I cried so hard
      I was trippin on my own tears

      Why you can t see that I'm dying?
      I'm not a saint, but God I'm trying, trying

      It don't matter
      If you're wrong or right
      When you're walking the floors
      And you re up all night
      I'll wait for you
      If it takes a million years

      Well I cried so hard
      I was trippin on my own tears
      Yes I cried so hard
      I was trippin on my own tears

    9. Write One For Me

      A young man strumming his guitar
      In the corner of the bar
      Singing 'bout a broken heart
      For hours and hours
      By closing time I face the fact
      That if I had a gift like that
      I know that I could win her back
      But there's some things I can't do
      So now its up to you

      Write one for me
      Put the perfect words together
      Write one for me
      A melody to last forever
      I don't have the song, so if you please
      Tell her she's the right one for me

      It does no good for you to play
      A pretty song like "Yesterday"
      'Cause that s not what I need to say
      To get her to love me
      I'm too scared to tell her so

      So if you d be my Cyrano
      And send to her a tune I know
      That she would change her mind
      So take a little time and

      Write one for me
      Put the perfect words together
      Write one for me
      A melody to last forever
      I don't have the song, so if you please
      Tell her she s the right one for me

      If I could write a poem, I would send one
      But I don't have a pen I can depend on
      I can't come up with a single line
      So would you write the song,
      and tell her that it's mine all mine

      Write one for me
      Put the perfect words together
      Write one for me
      A melody to last forever
      I don't have the song, so if you please
      Tell her she's the right one for me
      Tell her she's the right one for me

    10. What Love Wants To Be

      What love wants to be
      Is a song that lasts forever
      The perfect melody
      When two hearts sing together
      The moon can't shine without the sun
      On my own I'm only one
      Now I have a reason to believe
      What love wants to be
      You are that to me

      What love wants to be
      Is deeper than the ocean
      Green eyes like the sea
      Reflecting true devotion
      When the night is still, the stars that shine
      Say yet again that you are mine
      No need to keep on searching endlessly
      What love wants to be
      You are that to me

      After the band is gone
      We will keep dancing on
      Like every night is Saturday night

      What love wants to be
      We've heard it through the ages
      But no one ever told me that it's free
      What love wants to be
      You are that to me
      What love wants to be
      You are that ... to me

    11. Love First, Ask Questions Later

      What could I do when I didn't know
      When I was young I was younger
      Give me an answer, its yes or no
      How can we wait any longer

      So baby don t forget this
      What comes around will go
      Maybe we II regret this
      Well, maybe never knows

      Love first, ask questions later
      Moments pass, they won't wait for the waiter
      No one s ever found a power that is greater
      So love first, ask questions later

      Nothing but joy in the tears we cry
      Nothing but light all around us
      Trust in each other as years go by
      Now that forever has bound us

      It ain't so complicated
      Its easy after all
      It can't be overstated
      The writing's on the wall

      Love first, ask questions later
      Moments pass, they won't wait for the waiter
      No one's ever found a power that is greater
      So tove first ask questions later

      From all the masters through all time
      There s just one truth we have to find
      My tove is yours, your love is mine

      Baby don't forget this
      What comes around will go
      I promise you won t regret this
      Tomorrow never knows

      Love first ask questions later
      Moments pass they won't wait for the waiter
      No one ever found a power that is greater
      So love first, ask questions later
      Love first, ask questions later

    12. Elizabeth Reigns

      Elizabeth reigns
      Over and under
      Elizabeth reigns
      Lightning and thunder
      Elizabeth reigns
      Since I was younger
      She s head of the family
      Elizabeth reigns over me

      The Queen Mum is dead
      But she lives in my head
      Since the world was at war
      We all felt her pain
      But never complained
      We all loved her more

      Elizabeth reigns
      Over and under
      Elizabeth reigns
      Lightning and thunder
      Elizabeth reigns
      Since I was younger
      She s head of the family
      Elizabeth reigns over me

      A letter unsent
      Entombed in cement
      And hung from the hanging tree
      God save the Queen
      If you know what I mean
      We don't really need a king

      Six hundred servants
      Use her detergents
      Scrubbing the Palace floor
      And all of our sins are
      As big as the Windsors
      So lets point our fingers
      No more

      Elizabeth reigns
      Over and under
      Elizabeth reigns
      Lightning and thunder
      Elizabeth reigns
      Since I was younger
      Goodbye to the Jubilee
      Elizabeth reigns over me

      Elizabeth reigns over me

    13. English Garden

      I want you to see
      All of the flowers
      We'll shoot the breeze
      For hours and hours
      Buttercups grow
      High as the towers
      What do I see ?
      I beg your pardon
      Barbara and me
      In our English Garden

      Barbara, Buster, and me
      In our English Garden
      ( and you too, Monty )
      In our English Garden

      Someone's knockin at the door
      Someone's ringin' my bell
      Someone's knockin at the door
      Someone's ringin' the bell

    ... . I Really Love Her

      I needed some love
      I wanted it now
      But I didn't know how
      To really love her
      I really love her

      Time after time
      I ve acted so blind
      But she opened my eyes
      To really love her
      I really love her
      I really love her