“…but all i got is a photograph…” Classic Ringo from 1973!

Photograph – Ringo Starr (1973) DCC Gold FLAC Remaster HD 1080p

“Photograph” was released on Ringo Starr’s first solo record, Ringo, in November of 1973. This is a seriously fine track, written by his old bandmate George Harrison…..it’s my all time favorite Ringo Starr track (though I like many others he made). I’ve made videos for a couple other Ringo Starr songs (both from my favorite Ringo album, Rotogravure…”Pure Gold” and “Lady Gaye”).

This was a video I wanted to make for a long time, but I never could decide if I wanted it to feature general photographs of girls, places, just various Polaroids more accurately reflecting the lyrics of the song….or if I should spin it about Ringo looking back through Beatles memories after all these years)….in the end I just threw it all in there. This was a very time consuming video to make, which I always knew it would be since it just takes time to use the many photos that it needed to work. I stuck with it for as long as I could, but even then there are still many random (and not very fitting or bland) photos that remain in there which were basically just placeholders while I searched for good images and frequently they are repeated. If I ever re-edit it, I’ll definitely be up to replacing/rearranging many of the images to make it somewhat nicer. Till then…..hope you enjoy….thanks as always for watching!

A signature tune for Starr as a solo artist, “Photograph” became an international hit, topping singles charts in the United States, Canada and Australia, and receiving gold disc certification for US sales of 1 million. Music critics have similarly received the song favourably; Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic considers it to be “among the very best post-Beatles songs by any of the Fab Four”.

The lyrics are a reflection on lost love, whereby a photograph is the only reminder of the protagonists’ shared past. Starr and Harrison began writing the song in the South of France in 1971, during a period when Starr was focused on developing his acting career. They first recorded “Photograph” late the following year, along with the single’s B-side, “Down and Out”, during sessions for Harrison’s Living in the Material World album (1973).

The officially released version was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Richard Perry, and it incorporates aspects of Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound through the presence of multiple drums and acoustic guitars, as well as an orchestra and a choir. Aside from Starr and Harrison, the musicians on the recording include Nicky Hopkins, Bobby Keys, Jim Keltner, and Spector’s musical arranger, Jack Nitzsche. Starr made a promotional film for the single, shot at his and wife Maureen Starkey’s home, Tittenhurst Park.

“Photograph” has appeared on Starr’s compilation albums Blast from Your Past (1975) and Photograph: The Very Best of Ringo Starr (2007), and live versions have featured on releases recorded with his All-Starr Band and with the Roundheads. In November 2002, a year after Harrison’s death, Starr sang “Photograph” at the Concert for George – a performance that was an emotional highpoint of the event. Engelbert Humperdinck, Camper Van Beethoven, Cilla Black and Adam Sandler are among the artists who have covered the song.

As always HUGE THANKS to everyone who’s art made this new art possible….THANK YOU!!!!

[Lyrics]
Ev’ry time i see your face,
It reminds me of the places we used to go.
But all i got is a photograph
And i realize you’re not coming back anymore.

I thought i’d make it the day you went away,
But i can’t make it
Till you come home again to stay-yi-yay-yi-yay.

I can’t get used to living here,
While my heart is broke, my tears i cried for you.
I want you here to have and hold,
As the years go by and we grow old and grey.

Now you’re expecting me to live without you,
But that’s not something that i’m looking forward to.

I can’t get used to living here,
While my heart is broke, my tears i cried for you.
I want you here to have and hold,
As the years go by and we grow old and grey.

Ev’ry time i see your face,
It reminds me of the places we used to go.
But all i got is a photograph
And i realize you’re not coming back anymore.

Ev’ry time i see your face,
It reminds me of the places we used to go.
But all i got is a photograph
And i realize you’re not coming back anymore.

Ev’ry time i see your face,
It reminds me of the places we used to go.
But all i got is a photograph
And i realize you’re not.