10 Songs That Prove Ringo Star’s Solo Career Is Better Than You Think
9. It Don’t Come Easy
Both John Lennon and Paul McCartney would continue to write the occasional song for Ringo, just like they had in the Beatles years, but Ringo’s most useful former band mate proved to be George Harrison.
George would produce and co-write many of Ringo’s best tracks, largely enabling Ringo to finish songs he had started, helping with the chords and structure. It was a role he had played with Ringo’s Beatles efforts as well. Strangely, George would only receive a songwriting credit on one track, Photograph, despite his substantial contributions to other songs including this country rock tinged effort.
It Don’t Come Easy, a stand alone single from 1971, is one of their best collaborations and a top five hit both sides of the Atlantic. The pair would perform the song together at George’s Concert For Bangladesh.
George initially wanted the third verse to be about God but less in thrall to the spiritual life, Ringo talked him into making it about peace instead. If you listen carefully there is mention of Hare Krishna in the backing vocals, albeit heavily buried in the mix.