Ringo Starr – Back Off Boogaloo

The title for the song was inspired by English singer-songwriter Marc Bolan.

The song is the nearest any of the former Beatles came to the glam rock movement. Indeed, the title was inspired by Marc Bolan, whom Starr directed in the documentary Born To Boogie.

“Back Off Boogaloo” is a song by the English rock musician Ringo Starr that was released as a non-album single in March 1972. Starr’s former Beatles bandmate George Harrison produced the recording and helped Starr write the song, although he remained uncredited as a co-writer until 2017.

The song was a hit in the US, peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, and achieved Starr’s best position on the UK Singles Chart, where it reached number 2.

A promotional film for “Back Off Boogaloo” was shot on 20 March at Lennon’s Tittenhurst Park residence while Starr was looking after the property. The clip shows Starr walking around an outdoor structure and followed by a Frankenstein-like monster; it was directed by Tom Taylor and financed by Caravel Films. A similar-looking monster appeared on the single’s picture sleeve, holding a cigarette. Referring to the film clip, Jackson writes: “the Frankenstein monster stalks Starr but in the end the two hug and dance together, as thankfully, he and McCartney eventually did, leading to many more collaborations over the next forty years.”

Musicians:
Ringo Starr – vocals, drums, percussion, backing vocals
George Harrison – slide guitars, acoustic guitar
Gary Wright – piano
Klaus Voormann – bass, saxophone
Madeline Bell, Lesley Duncan, Jean Gilbert – backing vocals

“Back Off Boogaloo” – Single by Ringo Starr
B-side “Blindman”
Released 17 March 1972
Recorded September 1971
Studio Apple, London
Label Apple
Songwriters Richard Starkey, George Harrison
Producers George Harrison
Charted No.9 US; No.2 UK; No.12 West Germany; No.2 Canada; No.23 in Belgium