Ringo Starrhas long been considered not to be a serious contender in the fightto be the best Beatle, infamously quipped as “not even the best drummer in the Beatles.” But as his 85th birthday quickly approaches, it’s about time people changed their tune. Ringo wasn’t just the bestdrummer for the Beatles;he was the designer of their charm. Despite mockery, Ringo was an aptly capable drummer and was a crucial component in defining the relaxed sound of the Beatles, with which they became synonymous. His fantasy-land writing of“Octopus’s Garden”and narratives of“Don’t Pass Me By”actually go beyond charm to express a deep sincerity of inherent human feeling. So, whilst Ringo may not have been the most pretentious member of the Beatles, he was perhaps the most important in holding it all together.
The Beatle Who Held the Band Together
Indeed, Ringo didn’t have a flashy style. His drumming in the band was the perfect backdrop for the sweet melodies thatJohn Lennon,Paul McCartney,andGeorge Harrisonwere putting forward. Ringo’s talent lies in complementing the parts of the song that were at the focus, which were more often than not lyrics that told a story. The narrative focus meant the rhythm could sit tightly as a supporting figure, giving melodies the perfect platform to shine, which they wouldn’t have done had they been overshadowed. This isn’t to say that this was a default for Ringo. The drummer showed incredible flair in his creative decision for the beat of “Come Together.”Ringo played a drum line that was very unusual for the time, quickly making the song a revolutionary anthem.He treated the drum kit almost as a melodic instrumentthroughout the verses, filling the sonic field in a way that had never been done before.
In the entirediscography of the Beatles, Ringo actually only has sole writing credits for two songs. Admittedly, it doesn’t scream impressive,but the songs are so fun and multifaceted that they simply mustn’t be thrown aside. Dismissal is ultimately a very boring path to take. “Octopus’s Garden” is a joyful tale of Ringo’s desire to be underwater, befriending the sea creature as if he were a pal. His lyrics of “We would be warm below the storm / in our little hideaway beneath the waves” straightforwardly address that being away from our familiar world would be more pleasant and safe.
Ringo’s other contribution, “Don’t Pass Me By”, sounds lighthearted and cheeky, almost circus-like, in its musicality. But the song is anything but that. Ringo sings in worry about losing the one he loves in a series of events, singing “Don’t pass me by, don’t make me sad, don’t make me blue / ‘cause you know darling, I love only you”.His two songs are fictional adventures that explore feelings of comfort and the safety of being loved.The sincerity of the lyrics in combination with the joyful, youthful-sounding instrumentation is the perfect contrast to one another to result in accessible songs expressing the simplicity of being tender and earnest.
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The Beatle Who Brought Heart, Humor, and the Backbeat
Ringo was the grounding force of the band. While John, Paul, and George were out convincing the world of their philosophical insights and musical seriousness, Ringo kept the energy down to Earth. The Beatles started as a band of cheeky chaps from Liverpool, nothing extravagant, just local boys playing music because they enjoyed it. His natural charisma and comedic timing shone through in the movies “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Help,” and he felt likehe was capable of cutting any tension in the band.
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His humble charm and quick wit actually defined the Beatles. He stuck to who he was and what the Beatles were without the need to develop frivolous traits. His animated presence is one of the only things that the Beatles managed to keep constant throughout their existence, which, in many ways,makes him the leader of the band.It’s important to remember that serious doesn’t always mean better, especially in music that credits itself as being cheeky and fun. Similarly, lighthearted doesn’t entail a sense of a song being underdone, or warrant any mockery. But Ringo could handle it, of course.
Ultimately, Ringo Starr may not be the first name that comes to mind when deciding who the “best” Beatle may be, but this in no way means that his contributions were subpar. He was the most human in the group, ensuring to stay clear of any contests of egos and to just enjoy the simple beats he created. They were the perfect rhythmic foundation for the Beatles, and perfectly suited the style they had so willfully constructed. While other members strove to prove a seriousness in the sound that, let’s face it, a lot of other bands were matching at the time,Ringo personified the warmth and humor that was unique to the Beatlesand what initially made them so beloved. As the star’s 85th birthday approaches, it’s only right to celebrate Ringo not only as the perfect drummer and charmer, but as the backbone of the Beatles’ magic.
