Matt LuceyThe Beatles are rightly considered one of the most, if not the most, famous rock bands of all time. They were there almost from the start of the genre’s popularization and etched their name into the annals of rock and roll fame in their ten short yet productive years, making smash hit after smash hit.
The Enduring Fame of The Beatles
As most people know, John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote the majority of the Beatles’ songs, working in tandem to create the bulk of the band’s catalog. Multi-instrumentalists both, they were certainly deserving of the praise they received for their work. Following the breakup of the band—caused by tensions within the group—both continued to write music, though none of their later work quite received the same attention the Beatles basked in at the height of their popularity.
George Harrison, the lead guitarist, was also an accomplished songwriter, penning such hits as While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Something, and Here Comes the Sun—all of which easily rank among the band’s greatest records. Like his colleagues, Harrison went on to have a notable solo career (my favorite of the four).
And then there’s Ringo.
Ringo Starr had his name tied to a few songs in the Beatles’ extensive repertoire, but none received the same attention as the band’s biggest hits. His songs weren’t bad—they were fun, enjoyable tracks that unfortunately existed in the shadow of three of the greatest songwriters of all time. That being said, Ringo also had a solo career, taking the opportunity to showcase his creativity on his own terms. Unfortunately, the shadow cast by the biggest rock band of all time is long enough to follow him to this day.
A Surprising Turn to Country
When I heard that Ringo had released a new full album, Look Up, I immediately wanted to give it a listen—to see where this rock star is now and whether he was able to make his own mark. I’ll say this upfront: country music has never been close to my heart. I wouldn’t rush to turn it off, but neither would I go in search of it. Ringo teams up with some genuinely talented musicians, including Billy Strings, a formidable guitarist, singer, and songwriter, as well as the band Larkin Poe, among others.
I’ll say this for the album—it’s definitely far from the music of the Beatles. Look Up feels like a fun, lighthearted project where the musicians’ sense of enjoyment comes through clearly. Songs like Rosetta feature some lovely guitar work, and Ringo’s voice, for a man in his mid-80s, is still pretty enjoyable. My favorite song on the album was probably Come Back. It’s a soft track that’ll make you sway and whistle along. The guitar suits the song perfectly, and Lucius’ contribution adds to its charm, making it feel like the wistful, lighthearted tune you’d expect to accompany a lone cowboy on horseback leaving town at the end of a Western.
More Than Just a Beatle
There are plenty of redeeming aspects to Look Up, even if it’s not something I would put on for myself. I can see it being appreciated for what it is—a nice, soft country music album, written by a man who, by any measure, could have chosen to rest on his laurels. At 84, Ringo Starr remains a hero in the world of rock and roll. He might not have been the largest of the giants within the band that redefined music forever, but he has proven here that he can write, sing, and stand on his own as a musician.
