Back Off Boogaloo - Ringo Starr (1972) 7/3/21

Music journalists and critics had a field day with today's "Great Song of 1972." They almost universally agreed that "Back Off Boogaloo" was Ringo Starr's way of criticizing Paul McCartney and the music he'd been releasing since the Beatles had broken up.

Some also felt that George Harrison agreed with Ringo's opinion by playing guitar on the track and producing the single. (He also helped Ringo to write it, but that little tidbit of information wasn't confirmed until years later.)

At the time, it was pretty well known in music circles that Ringo was annoyed with Paul for many reasons, so everyone naturally assumed...and got it COMPLETELY WRONG!

In 1972, "glam rock" was becoming popular and Ringo was getting into it.

He became friends time with Marc Bolan, front man for the group T-Rex--who gave us "Bang a Gong (Get It On)," a "Great Song of 1971, which we highlighted back on 2/1/20. (Link below).

According to Ringo, Marc's vocabulary included the word "boogaloo" in almost every sentence." He would say things like, "Oooh, you Boogaloo. Pass the potatoes, Boogaloo," and of course, "Back off, Boogaloo."

Ringo thought that last sentence was a great song title, and it inspired him to write a song (with George's help) to go with it."

The single was a hit in 10 countries, including the UK and Canada, where it reached #2...and the US, where it peaked at #9 on the Hot 100.

Note: In 1981, Ringo recorded a remarkable NEW version of the song for his "Stop and Smell the Roses" album, tossing in a few nods to some of his other hits. Check it out below!

"Back Off Boogaloo:" inspired by Marc Bolan and NOT Paul McCartney, but either way, it's still a "Great Song of the '70s!

Ringo (original version) 1972:

Ringo (1981 version):

"Bang a Gong" blog entry: 2/1/20

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