Ringo Starr releases new country album ‘Look Up’
Entertainment News
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Today, Ringo Starr released his new country album, Look Up, marking his first venture into the genre in over 50 years and his first full-length release since 2019. The album was produced and largely co-written by T Bone Burnett.
Recorded last year in Nashville and Los Angeles, Look Up features 11 tracks, nine of which were penned or co-written by Burnett. Starr lent his signature vocals and drumming to every song and co-wrote the album’s closing track, “Thankful,” a collaboration with Alison Krauss. Burnett assembled an impressive lineup of Nashville talent for the project, including Billy Strings, Larkin Poe, Lucius, Molly Tuttle, and Krauss. Esteemed musicians such as Dennis Crouch, Paul Franklin, Daniel Tashian, Joe Walsh, and others also contributed to the record.
A music video for the title track debuted today, featuring Starr singing in sunlight interspersed with images of diverse groups of people gathering in a field to form a human peace sign, as seen from above. Directed by Wyndham Garnett, the video draws inspiration from the song’s uplifting lyrics and Starr’s enduring commitment to peace and love:
“No matter where you place
In the human race
There is mercy
There is grace
Look Up Up above your head
Where the music plays
There’s a light that shines
In the darkest days
Look up
Live to fight another day
Good things are gonna come your way.”
Radiating positivity, the video serves as a hopeful message for the New Year.
Starr’s passion for country music has been a recurring theme throughout his storied career. During his time with The Beatles, he performed and wrote country-inspired songs such as “Act Naturally,” “What Goes On,” and “Don’t Pass Me By.” He also recorded the 1970 country album Beaucoups of Blues as his second solo effort. His admiration for Country and Blues began in his youth when he even considered moving to Texas after reading that Lightnin’ Hopkins lived in Houston.
The creation of Look Up began serendipitously in 2022, when Starr reconnected with Burnett at an event in Los Angeles. After initially asking Burnett to contribute a song for an EP, Starr received nine country songs instead, sparking the inspiration for this full-length album.
Watch Ringo Starr’s ‘Look Up’ Music Video
Throughout his career he has received nine GRAMMY® Awards and has twice been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame -- first as a Beatle and then as solo artist. Between 1970 and 2023, Ringo has released 20 solo studio records and 4 consecutive EPs in 2020, 2021 and 2023. He has acted in over 15 films, received an Academy Award®, and has been nominated as an actor for an Emmy®. Ringo has published 8 books; had a stint as a male fashion model, and that same year went behind the lens as the photographer for some Foo Fighters PR photos.
Ringo is also a visual artist and has had numerous exhibitions of his work and his “Peace Sculpture” is on permanent display in the Beverly Hills Park. In 2008 Ringo began dedicating his July 7 birthday to promoting Peace and Love and the movement has grown to include events all over the planet and into the stars with support from NASA. In 2018, Ringo was knighted and in 2019 he celebrated 35 years of touring with his All Starr Bands. In 2022 Ringo received an honorary degree as a Doctor of Music from Berklee College of Music and earlier he was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame with the Joe Chambers Musicians Legacy Award.
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