4 Songs John Lennon Wrote For Ringo Starr After The Beatles

Ringo's solo albums featured collaborations with his former bandmates.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 11:00am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered disco ball, with the jagged, glittering shards of glass reflecting dramatic beams of light, conceptually representing the enduring creative connections between the former Beatles members.The collaborative spirit of the former Beatles shines through in the music they created together after the band's split.Los Angeles Today

After the Beatles broke up, John Lennon continued to write songs for his former bandmate Ringo Starr's solo albums. Lennon penned the opening track 'I'm the Greatest' on Ringo's 1973 album, as well as other songs like '(It's All Down to) Goodnight Vienna' and 'Cookin' (In the Kitchen of Love)' on later releases. These collaborations marked a reunion of sorts for the former Beatles members.

Why it matters

Ringo Starr's solo career allowed the former Beatles members to continue working together, even after the band's acrimonious split in 1970. Lennon's songwriting contributions to Ringo's albums show the enduring creative partnership between the two musicians, despite the tensions that had developed within the band.

The details

On Ringo's 1973 self-titled album, Lennon wrote the opening track 'I'm the Greatest,' which featured all three of Ringo's former bandmates - Lennon, George Harrison, and Paul McCartney. Lennon also wrote '(It's All Down to) Goodnight Vienna' for Ringo's 1974 album of the same name, and played piano on the track. For Ringo's 1976 album Ringo's Rotogravure, Lennon contributed the song 'Cookin' (In the Kitchen of Love),' which he also played piano on.

  • Ringo was released in 1973.
  • Goodnight Vienna was released in 1974.
  • Ringo's Rotogravure was released in 1976.

The players

John Lennon

A founding member of the Beatles who went on to have a successful solo career after the band's breakup in 1970. He continued to collaborate with his former bandmate Ringo Starr on several of Ringo's solo albums in the 1970s.

Ringo Starr

The drummer for the Beatles who launched a solo career after the band split, releasing several albums in the 1970s that featured collaborations with his former bandmates.

George Harrison

A founding member of the Beatles who contributed songs to Ringo Starr's solo albums, including 'Photograph' and 'You and Me (Babe)'.

Paul McCartney

A founding member of the Beatles who also collaborated with Ringo Starr on his solo albums, co-writing the song 'Six O'Clock' and providing backing vocals.

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What they’re saying

“Ringo was a star...before we even met. He was a professional drummer who sang and performed and had Ringo Starr-time, and he was in one of the top groups in Britain, especially in Liverpool, before we even had a drummer.”

— John Lennon

The takeaway

The continued creative collaborations between Lennon and Starr after the Beatles' breakup demonstrate the enduring bonds and mutual respect between the former bandmates, even as they pursued their own solo paths.