Oh My My (Ringo Starr song)
"Oh My My" is a song by English musician Ringo Starr from his 1973 album Ringo. It was also issued as the third single from the album, becoming a top-five hit in the United States and Canada. The recording was produced by Richard Perry and includes backing vocals by Merry Clayton and Martha Reeves.
| "Oh My My" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Netherlands picture sleeve | ||||
| Single by Ringo Starr | ||||
| from the album Ringo | ||||
| B-side |
| |||
| Released | 18 February 1974 (US) 9 January 1976 (UK) | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 3:38 | |||
| Label | Apple | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Richard Starkey, Vini Poncia | |||
| Producer(s) | Richard Perry | |||
| Ringo Starr singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background
"Oh My My" was co-written by Starr (credited by his real name, "Richard Starkey") and Vini Poncia, a recurrent collaborator of Starr's during the 1970s. Billy Preston plays keyboards on the track.[1] Both Starr and Jim Keltner play drums, while Klaus Voormann plays bass. Tom Scott plays the saxophone solo.
Release
The song was first released as the opening track on side two of the Ringo LP, in November 1973. Issued as a single on 18 February 1974 in the US,[nb 1][2] Billboard felt that the instrumental portion of the song was more effective than the lyrics.[3] Cash Box said that the "Richard Perry production adds the 'hit' touch to this amusing little ditty."[4]
"Oh My My" peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 3 in Canada and number 24 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, making it one of the most successful songs of Starr's career. The song was released on a UK single on 9 January 1976,[nb 2] backed with "No No Song",[5] to promote Starr's Blast from Your Past compilation album.[6]
Starr first performed "Oh My My" in 2008 with the tenth incarnation of his All-Starr Band.[7]
Chart performance
| Chart (1974) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada | 3 |
| US Billboard Easy Listening | 24 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[8] | 5 |
Cover versions
- The song was covered by Ike & Tina Turner, who performed it on a 1975 episode of Soul Train and on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert in 1976.[9][10]
- Bette Midler performed a cover of the track on her live album Live at Last.[11]
- David Hentschel released an instrumental version on Starr's Ring O' Records label, in 1975.
- Maggie Bell recorded the song in 1974.
- Kirka, a Finnish band, released the song with Finnish lyrics.
References
- Footnotes
- Citations
- ^ Rodriguez, Robert (2010). Fab Four FAQ 2.0: The Beatles' Solo Years, 1970–1980 (illustrated ed.). New York: Backbeat Books. p. 74. ISBN 9780879309688.
- ^ a b Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 183. ISBN 9780753508435.
- ^ "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard. 2 March 1974. p. 60. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
- ^ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. 2 March 1974. p. 18. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ a b Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 182. ISBN 9780753508435.
- ^ "Ringo Starr - Oh My My". Jpgr.co.uk. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- ^ Jackson, Andrew Grant (2012). Still the Greatest: The Essential Songs of the Beatles' Solo Careers (illustrated ed.). Scarecrow Press. p. 118. ISBN 9780810882225.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 800.
- ^ "Soul Train - Ike & Tina Turner/Lonette McKee". IMDb. 18 January 1975.
- ^ "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert: March 12, 1976: Coke & Vida / Lisa Hartman / C.W. McCall / Ike & Tina Turner Revue / Queen (music video)". TV.com.
- ^ Viglione, Joe. "Live at Last - Bette Midler : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 December 2012.