Though their run was short, the Beatles amassed a career that left them with very little to regret. Though they might have had qualms shortly after their infamous breakup, in hindsight, it was a pretty stellar tenure. In fact, if Ringo Starr regrets anything it’s that they didn’t push harder to get back together. Learn more about why Starr wished he got the band back together before it was too late, below.

There was never an official Beatles reunion. The individual band members joined forces from time to time, but they never operated under that banner again. Any hopes of that happening were dashed in 1980, when John Lennon was murdered by Mark David Chapman.

Then, a couple of decades later, George Harrison passed away after a battle with lung cancer. His death firmly cemented that any Beatles reunion that might happen in the future would only be halfway complete.

Even before their breakup and those losses happened, the band had taken a step back from touring. After years of playing countless shows with roaring fans, the foursome felt their touring life had grown too complex and difficult to manage. Their solution to that problem was to retire from the stage entirely.

Source: Alex Hopper/americansongwriter.com

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The Beatles’ arduous breakup often overshadows the love and camaraderie the Fab Four had for one another, but John Lennon’s go-to pep talk for cheering up the band in their early years is a heartwarming window into a time before fame, scandal, and psychedelics. Pre-Beatlemania and post-Quarrymen, the future Fab Four were hard-working musicians trying to cut their teeth.

And as anyone who has tried to dedicate their lives to music for any amount of time can attest, that endeavor can be taxing on the spirit. When that happened for the Beatles, Lennon stepped in. John Lennon’s final major interview took place in his New York City home in August 1980, just three months before Mark David Chapman would murder the ex-Beatle on the front steps of that very residence. In the sprawling conversation, Lennon talks about his perception of himself, his former band, nearly every Beatles tune, and musings that oscillate between profound and vain.

While discussing his general outlook on life, Lennon offered an example of his optimism in the face of hardship—something he exercised often throughout his tragically short life. He subtly references his “motto” in “Strawberry Fields Forever” with the line, It’s getting hard to be someone, but it all works out. “It’s like a little gag that the Beatles used,” Lennon told interviewer David Sheff.

Source: Melanie Davis/americansongwriter.com

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Ringo Starr may have contributed the least in terms of songwriting to The Beatles, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a stellar drummer. In fact, there are a few songs by the Fab Four through the years that really showcase his drumming talent. Let’s look into four times Ring Starr proved he was a genius drummer for The Beatles!
1. “Something”

“Something” is one of George Harrison’s best songwriting efforts, and even marginal fans consider it one of The Beatles’ very best songs. Ringo Starr shines as a drummer on this track with drum fills that are both simple but very prominent. If you get a chance to listen to the isolated drum track, it’s really impressive. His iconic “slinging shoulder” influenced a number of rock drummers who followed in his footsteps as well.
2. “She Said, She Said”

John Lennon penned this tune for the 1966 album Revolver. One could say this song marked the band’s departure from pop music fodder and their entrance into psychedelic, experimental works. Due to an in-studio argument, Paul McCartney left and isn’t featured on the recorded track. However, Starr managed to make up for his absence with his drumming.

Starr’s rhythm on this acid-psych tune is quite underrated. He pulled out the most unique aspects of his drumming style for this track and managed to be precise and intentional.
3. “Ticket To Ride”

It’s wild to think “Ticket To Ride” was released in 1965; it was truly ahead of its time. Part of what makes this particular song so addictive is Starr’s energetic drumming. Lennon famously said that this song was the first “heavy metal” record and that much is evident in Starr’s style of drumming. The drums are heavy, effortless, and masterful.

Source: Em Casalena/americansongwriter.com

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The Beatles rose and fell long before streaming music was even a thought. Today, their music is some of the most-streamed of any band in the entire world. It’s comforting, in a way. No matter when a particular beloved band exists, their music can be immortalized indefinitely through the internet. Let’s look at the top five most-streamed Beatles songs of all time, and why a whole new generation of listeners likely love them.

John Lennon’s 6 Favorite Beatles Songs
1. “Here Comes The Sun”

The 1969 Abbey Road classic “Here Comes The Sun” (specifically the 2009 remastered version) has been streamed a whopping 1.4 billion times on Spotify as of 2024. It’s not just one of the most-streamed Beatles songs of all time; it’s the most-streamed Beatles song ever.

This track is likely so deeply loved by new listeners because of its cheery, positive lyrics and excellent production quality. It’s also been used in a movie or two through the years, so some uninitiated youngins likely heard it there first.
2. “Let It Be”

The 2009 remastered version of “Let It Be” from the 1970 album of the same name has been streamed 719 million times on Spotify as of 2024.

“Let It Be” has the perfect formula for a perfect song. The chord progression is one of the most popular ones used in pop music, its lyrics are inspirational and calming, and it blends together the classic ballad with folk music and a light-classical sound. Sometimes, simple is best. “Let It Be” is one of the Fab Four’s most simple songs, but it doesn’t lack in quality.
3. “Yesterday”

Source: Em Casalena/americansongwriter.com

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The other two Beatles. While Paul McCartney and John Lennon often got most of the publicity in the Fab Four, the Liverpool, England-born rock band would not have been what it became had it not been for their lead guitarist and drummer.

Yes, George Harrison and Ringo Starr were integral. And they knew it and, as a result, they believed in one another, which is why they boast some tremendous collaborations in and out of the band. Here below, we wanted to dive into three such songs. A trio of tracks that display the chemistry and synergy between Harrison and Starr. Yes, these are three of the best songs by the duo.

Such a vivid, simple song, this track is almost like a children’s storybook put to music. Written by Ringo with some help from Harrison, the song is almost like a cute episode of SpongeBob SquarePants. And while Harrison assisted on the track, he famously said of their work on it, “‘Octopus’s Garden’ is Ringo’s song. It’s only the second song Ringo wrote, and it’s lovely.” Released on The Beatles’ 1969 LP Abbey Road, Ringo also sings the song in his signature cartoonish voice, offering lyrics about playing on the floor of the ocean. He bellows,

I’d like to be
Under the sea
In an octopus’s garden
In the shade

He’d let us in
Knows where we’ve been
In his octopus’s garden
In the shade

Source:Jacob Uitti/americansongwriter.com

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The entry was published in the book 'Living in the Material World' by his widow, Olivia Harrison.  George Harrison's 1969 diary reveals the moments before and after he left the Beatles

The Beatles, a pioneering band known for exploring various music styles, faced a turning point one fateful afternoon. Tensions were already high among the bandmates, but a heated argument with Paul McCartney pushed George Harrison to his breaking point. Harrison, who practiced Transcendental Meditation, decided to walk away from the band. Later that day, he penned a short diary entry that has since become significant for Beatles fans.

That afternoon, the four Beatles—John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr—were working on their track “Get Back” at Twickenham Film Studios, with cameras recording their session. Beatles music publisher Dick James visited them and discussed Northern Songs’ recent purchase of the Lawrence Wright Music catalog with McCartney and Starr, according to BeatlesBible.

Following this, McCartney played several piano tracks for James, including “The Long And Winding Road,” “Let It Be,” “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer,” “Don’t Let Me Down,” and “I’ve Got A Feeling.” The group then worked on “Get Back.” After lunch, however, Harrison, unable to bear the simmering tensions, walked out.

Later that day, "The Quiet Beatle" sat at his desk and penned a diary entry dated January 10, 1969. The entry recounted Harrison’s experiences and events of the day: “Got up, went to Twickenham rehearsed until lunchtime. Left the Beatles, went home and in the evening, did 'King of Fuh' at Trident Studio. Had chips later at Klaus and Christine’s, went home.” This diary entry was later published in the 2011 book “Living in the Material World” by Olivia Harrison, George Harrison's widow.

Source: Neha B./good.is

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