Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
More
  • NAMM 2026: as it happened
  • Best NAMM tech gear
  • Joni's Woodstock
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Artists
  2. Drummers

Ringo's 10 greatest beats

News
By Chris Burke published 7 February 2014

Starr's best, as chosen by Rhythm's experts

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

All I've Got To Do

All I've Got To Do

THE BEATLES IN THE USA: Following Lennon's beautiful vocals and McCartney's bass chords, Ringo's insistent rhythms and effective use of his bass drum punctuate and support the song fantastically.

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
Long Tall Sally

Long Tall Sally

Like all the band's early, energetic cover versions, Ringo and the other Fab Three give the Little Richard classic pace and raw rock energy.

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
Ticket To Ride

Ticket To Ride

From Help!, this track is memorable for Ringo's perfectly placed tom in the flamed main verse groove and rapid fill to bring the song's chorus to a climax.

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
Rain

Rain

In drumming terms, Ringo was going through something of a purple patch, with this track one of three recorded on the Revolver sessions to make this list. His machinegun fills punctuate the track and again become a kind of signature. The track was the B-side to Paperback Writer.

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
Tomorrow Never Knows

Tomorrow Never Knows

Ringo's relentlessly funky beat – which was later sampled by The Chemical Brothers – made The Beatles' mystical, Indian-styled 'Tomorrow Never Knows' truly inspiring.

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
She Said She Said

She Said She Said

'She Said She Said', from Revolver, is a great example of Ringo's inventiveness and great touch; his flurrying fill becomes the tune's motif.

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
Day Tripper

Day Tripper

The AA side with 'We Can Work It Out' is given a solid four-to-the-floor chorus and syncopated verse with some nice little ghosted snare notes and perfectly judged fills.

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
Get Back

Get Back

Ringo's galloping snare and shuffling fills, punctuated with effective cymbal crashes drive this late Beatles track, which grew from a studio jam, with real finesse.

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
Come Together

Come Together

The opening track of Abbey Road is, by the common consensus, one of Ringo's very finest moments. It features a recurring drum motif that acts as the song's main hook, based around 16th-note triplets around the hi-hat and toms.

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
The End

The End

Closing out Abbey Road is the rarest of things – a Ringo solo, recorded across two tracks in 'true stereo' (drums were normally mixed in mono then hard-panned right in the mix). Just argue with this, Ringo nay-sayers.

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
CATEGORIES
Drums
Chris Burke
Latest in Drummers
Sly Dunbar at the kit, circa 1984
“True icon … one of the greatest drummers of all time”: The world mourns the passing of Sly Dunbar
 
 
Chuck D and John Densmore
“A meditation on responsibility and legacy”: Chuck D and John Densmore have made a concept album about ageing
 
 
British singer and drummer Phil Collins and his son Nic Collins (drummer) of the band Genesis perform live on stage during a concert at Mercedes Benz Arena on March 7, 2022 in Berlin, Germany
“At first I was like, 'Oh God, what is he gonna critique me?'”: How Phil Collins guided his son Nic through his first big gig
 
 
 Rob Hirst, of the group Midnight Oil, plays drums as he performs in front of the Exxon Building (at Sixth Avenue & 50th Street), New York, New York, May 30, 1990
“He had a massive impact on Australian culture”: Tributes paid to Midnight Oil founder Rob Hirst
 
 
Josh Freese playing DW drums
“Any band graced with his presence was fortunate indeed”: Josh Freese to be given a Lifetime Achievement Award by DW
 
 
Steven Adler
“It had a swing that can’t be duplicated”: Ex-Guns N’ Roses drummer Josh Freese says nobody can play like Steven Adler
 
 
Latest in News
Dave Mustaine and Marty Friedman trade solos as Megadeth play live in 1990
Dave Mustaine admits he nearly passed on Marty Friedman for Megadeth because he didn’t like his hair
 
 
Neil Young
“This is an offer of Peace and Love”: Neil Young gives the people of Greenland the gift of musicians
 
 
Spotify backline logo
“The first step toward accessing mental health support”: Backline launches first support line dedicated to musicians
 
 
Native Instruments logo
Native Instruments is in preliminary insolvency
 
 
A glam shot of a cherry red Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Firebird Les Paul Special in action
Epiphone revamps core lineup with the Inspired By Gibson series
 
 
Independent Venue Week logo
“More than ever, fans are also showing that they want to be out”: Over 700 gigs confirmed for Independent Venue Week
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...