Ringo Starr celebrates optimism with ‘Look Up’
Ringo Starr’s ‘Look Up’ blends heartfelt country with rich collaborations, marking his first full-length country album in over 50 years, produced by T Bone Burnett.
On January 10, 2025, Ringo Starr unveils ‘Look Up’, a country album that marks his first full-length venture into the genre in over five decades. With a stunning collaboration between the legendary Beatle and the iconic T Bone Burnett, this record isn’t just another star-studded country album – it’s a tribute to Ringo’s deep roots in the genre that have long been part of his musical identity.
For fans of Ringo’s work with The Beatles, where country elements were always subtly present, ‘Look Up’ feels like a natural evolution. Country music has always been part of Starr’s musical DNA, with early songs like ‘Act Naturally’ and ‘Don’t Pass Me By’ standing as proof of his affection for the genre. Yet, with ‘Look Up’, Starr takes that passion to new heights, exploring modern country while paying homage to its classic roots. The 11-track album, recorded in both Nashville and Los Angeles, is a carefully crafted collection, co-written and co-produced by Burnett, with nine of the songs penned or co-penned by him. The album opens with ‘Breathless’, featuring the renowned Billy Strings, setting the tone for an album that moves with ease between traditional country, bluegrass, and even a touch of rockabilly. It’s a beautiful example of the seamless fusion that Ringo and Burnett create, where Starr’s vocals and drumming form a perfect foundation for the rich instrumental tapestry.
Each track on ‘Look Up’ carries its own story. ‘Look Up’, the title track, features the unmistakable sound of Molly Tuttle, and its melancholy but uplifting lyrics resonate deeply. Written by Daniel Tashian and Burnett, it’s a stirring reminder of the power of music to transcend the moments that shape us. Then, there’s ‘Time On My Hands’, the album’s debut single, which serves as a perfect introduction to the record’s mood. Co-written by Paul Kennerly, Tashian, and Burnett, the song is a reflective piece that speaks to the passage of time, a theme that becomes a quiet motif throughout the album. Perhaps one of the standout moments of the record is ‘Never Let Me Go’, which features Billy Strings again. The track feels like a timeless classic, evoking memories of the heartfelt ballads that country music is known for. ‘Can You Hear Me Call’, another Burnett-penned track featuring Tuttle, brings the album back to its more intimate moments, with subtle arrangements that focus on Starr’s seasoned vocals and Tuttle’s angelic harmonies.
However, it is on ‘Thankful’ – the closing track – that Ringo’s full emotional range comes through. This song, which he co-wrote with Bruce Sugar, features the legendary Alison Krauss. The lyrics are an expression of gratitude, with Krauss’s ethereal voice lending the track an almost celestial quality. ‘Thankful’ feels like a perfect way to close an album that balances nostalgia with fresh perspectives. In a way, it also reflects Starr’s personal journey, full of thanks for the life and career he’s had, and for the friends who have shaped it, like Burnett. Starr’s partnership with Burnett is, undoubtedly, one of the driving forces of the album’s success. In an interview, Starr himself reflected on the moment when Burnett brought him nine country tracks instead of just the one he had requested. This serendipitous shift pushed Starr to create a full album instead of just an EP, and in doing so, he found himself on a new musical path. Starr’s enthusiasm for the project is palpable. “It was a joy making it and I hope it is a joy to listen to,” he said, and as listeners press play, it’s clear that joy was at the heart of this record…
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