Jan 19, 20222 min read

Only You - Ringo Starr (1974) 1/19/22

Yesterday, we highlighted 1973's "Rocky Mountain Way" by Joe Walsh.

Today, we're highlighting a song by his brother-in-law--a fellow by the name of Ringo Starr! Ringo is married to actress Barbara Bach, and since 2008, Joe has been married to her sister, Marjorie. More than likely, that's one reason why Joe has long been a member of Ringo's All-Starr Band. The fact that he and Ringo are both Rock & Roll Hall-of-Famers would be another. :-) But on to today's "Great Song!" In 1974, Ringo tackled a classic '50's tune and made it his own! "Only You" was originally recorded by the Platters in 1955, and it was a monster hit, spending 7 weeks at #1 on Billboard's Rhythm & Blues Chart...and a week at #5 on the Hot 100. It might have been an even a bigger hit, but in the '50s, musical racism was strong, and black artists were routinely coved by white artists (Pat Boone's career, anyone?) A white group called The Hilltoppers released a competing version, which reached #8 on the Hot 100--most likely denying The Platters the top spot. In 1959, Franck Pourcel released an instrumental version that spent 16 weeks on the Hot 100, sold 5 million copies and reached #9 in the US and #3 in Canada. Then, in 1974, when Ringo was putting together his "Goodnight Vienna" album, John Lennon not only suggested recording "Only You," he offered to play acoustic guitar on the track and record a guide vocal for Ringo to follow. For good measure, Harry Nilsson was recruited to sing harmony! In late 1974, the song was released as the first single from "Goodnight Vienna," and by early '75, "Only You" had become a hit once again, reaching #1 on the Easy Listening Chart and #5 on the Hot 100! Over the years, the song has been covered time and time again by artists ranging from Reba McEntire to Harry Connick, Jr...to the Chipmunks! But in 1974-75, thanks in part to John Lennon, Joe Walsh's future brother-in-law was on top with HIS version of "Only You," making it a "Great Song of the '50s AND the '70s." Ringo: