Early 1970

"Early 1970" is a song by Ringo Starr, released as the B-side to Starr's Apple Records single "It Don't Come Easy" in April 1971. It was inspired by the recent breakup of The Beatles, and documents his desire to continue playing music with his former bandmates, Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison.

The song was written with the working title "When Four Knights Come To Town" and first recorded during sessions for John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band album (on which Starr played drums) in October 1970.^[1] The song was subsequently finished with George Harrison who produced and contributed slide guitar.

The four verses of "Early 1970" refer to each of the Beatles in turn. The first reflects Ringo's strained relationship with Paul, who at that point was trying to leave the Beatles and Apple. The second and third verses reflect his much warmer relationships with John and George while the last verse pokes fun at his own musical shortcomings.

Allen Klein (the manager of Ringo, George and John) suggested inviting Paul to participate in the recording of the song, thinking that if he did it would undermine any legal moves he made to quit the Beatles.^[2] No such collaboration took place however, and McCartney filed a suit in the High Court to dissolve the Beatles partnership in December 1970.

References