On November 24, 1973, Ringo Starr became the third former Beatle to have a solo number one song with “Photograph.” John Lennon would join the other three a year later with his first number one solo song, “Whatever Gets You Thru The Night.”
“Photograph” appeared on the album Ringo (1973), which would be the only time the four Beatles would contribute to an album by one of their former members. That contribution illustrates the fondness they all felt for the man also known as Richard Starkey, who was born on July 7, 1940.
George Harrison co-wrote “Photograph” with Ringo, and Harrison sang backing vocals and played a 12-string guitar solo on the song. McCartney wrote another song on the album and sang backup on “You’re Sixteen,” while John Lennon wrote “I’m The Greatest” on the album and played piano and sang backup.
“Photograph” is one of my favorite Ringo songs. I love the way the music contrasts with the story being told. “Photograph” is one of the happiest sounding broken-heart songs in history.
But at this 2002 Concert for George, a memorial concert on the first anniversary of George Harrison’s passing, Ringo briefly explained that the meaning of the song had changed since Harrison’s passing. Then he turns “Photograph” into a wonderful celebration of Harrison’s life.
What is your favorite Ringo Starr song? Leave your two cents in the comments.
