Photograph (Ringo Starr song)

"Photograph" is a song written by Ringo Starr and George Harrison. It was released by Starr as a single in October 1973, reaching number eight and number one in the UK and U.S. singles charts, respectively. It can also be heard on the Ringo album and several compilation and live albums.

[edit] Recording and structure

On "Photograph", Starr is the lead vocalist and plays drums, and Harrison plays 12-string acoustic guitar and sings harmony vocals; Jim Keltner (drums), Klaus Voorman (bass), Nicky Hopkins (piano), Vini Poncia (acoustic guitar), Jimmy Calvert (acoustic guitar), Lon and Derrek Van Eaton (percussion), Bobby Keyes (tenor saxophone solo) are also featured. The orchestral arrangements are by Jack Nitzsche, and Richard Perry produced the recording.

A promotional film was shot for the "Photograph" single, showing Starr walking around his new house at the time, Tittenhurst Park, which had been previously the home of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. The B-side of the "Photograph" single, "Down and Out", was written by Starr on his own.

[edit] Performance at the Concert for George

On November 29, 2002, Starr performed "Photograph" at the Concert for George held in the Royal Albert Hall, London on the first anniversary of Harrison's death. According to the official Concert for George website, "Ringo Starr caught everyone with a tear in their eye with a rendition of "Photograph", a composition he wrote with George, which seemed to sum up how everyone felt." In this concert, Starr mentioned that the song took on a whole new meaning after the passing of Harrison. The lyrics were believed to be poignantly appropriate for this occasion, including:

Ev'ry time I see your face,

It reminds me of the places we used to go.

But all I've got is a photograph,

And I realise you're not coming back anymore.

[...]

I can't get used to living here,

While my heart is broke, my tears I cried for you.

I want you here to have and hold,

As the years go by and we grow old and grey.

[edit] Personnel

Ringo Starr: Drums, percussion, vocals.
George Harrison: Acoustic guitar, backing vocals.
Vini Poncia: Acoustic guitar.
Jimmy Calvert: Acoustic guitar.
Klaus Voorman: Bass guitar.
Bobby Keyes: Tenor saxophone.
Lon Van Eaton: Percussion.
Derrek Van Eaton: Percussion.
Jim Keltner: Drums, percussion.
Jack Nitzsche: Orchestral arrangements.

Preceded by "Keep on Truckin' (Part 1)" by Eddie Kendricks	Billboard Hot 100 number one single November 24, 1973	Succeeded by "Top of the World" by The Carpenters