Exclusive: Track Listing and Credits for Ringo’s Upcoming ‘What’s My Name’ Album

Beatlefan has learned advance details on Ringo Starr’s forthcoming album.

Paul McCartney joins Ringo on “Grow Old With Me” on the new album. (Photo: Variety)

Ringo Starr’s new album will be released Oct. 25, as Beatlefan previously reported, and is titled “What’s My Name,” according to two informed sources.

The sources also confirmed that the track listing we published Aug. 26 on SOMETHING NEW: The Beatlefan Blog was correct, with one minor difference in one title.

Ringo at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo: Bob Gannon)

The album was recorded at Ringo’s Roccabella West Studio (in the guest house behind Starr’s Beverly Hills home) and at United Recording Studios in Hollywood. It was produced by Ringo and recorded, mixed and edited in Pro Tools by Bruce Sugar. The sources also confirmed the album participants previously reported by Beatlefan: Paul McCartney, current All Starr Band members Steve Lukather and Colin Hay, Joe Walsh and Dave Stewart.

Here’s a rundown on the album’s tracks:

“Gotta Get Up” (previously reported by the working title “Got to Get Up to Get Down”), written by Ringo and his brother-in-law, Walsh. The track features Ringo on drums and vocals; Walsh on guitar and vocals; Edgar Winter on clavinet, synthesizer and vocals; Nathan East on bass, Sugar on synthesizer and backing vocals by Richard Page, Warren Ham (of the current All Starr Band), Windy Wagner and Kari Kimmel.

“It’s Not Love That You Want,” written by Ringo and frequent collaborator Dave Stewart. Ringo provides drums, percussion and vocals; Stewart plays guitar; East is on bass; Jim Cox plays piano; Benmont Tench (of the Heartbreakers) plays clavinet; Sugar provides synth horns; and background vocalists on the track are Wagner and Amy Keys. Ned Douglas provided additional engineering.

Ringo’s new album is a mixture of original tunes and cover versions. (Photo: Bob Gannon)

“Grow Old With Me.” This is indeed a cover of the John Lennon song, and it is slated to be the first single lifted from the album. Ringo is on drums and vocals, McCartney is on bass and background vocals, Walsh plays guitar, Cox is on piano and Allison Lovejoy plays accordion. There’s also a string quartet on the track: Rhea Fowler and Bianca McClure on violin, Lauren Baba on viola and Isiaiah Gage on cello. The string arrangement is by former Lennon producer Jack Douglas and Daniel Cole. The assistant engineer on the string session was Wesley Seidman.

“Magic,” written by Ringo and Lukather. Ringo provides drums, percussion and vocals; Lukather is on guitar and piano; John Pierce plays bass; Sugar plays synthesizer; and the backing vocalists are Page, Ham, Wagner and Kimmel.

“Money,” by Berry Gordy and Janie Bradford. This is a cover of the very first Motown hit, which The Beatles also covered. Ringo is on drums, percussion and vocals; Lukather plays guitar; East provides bass; Sugar plays piano, organ and synth; and the backing vocalists are Maxine Waters and Julia Waters.

“Better Days,” written by Sam Hollander, an American songwriter who has written and/or produced hits for the likes of Fitz and the Tantrums, Panic! at the Disco, Train, Weezer and One Direction. Ringo is on drums, percussion and vocals; Grant Michaels plays piano; Peter Levin is on organ; Kaveh Rastegar plays bass; Pete Min is on guitar; James King plays horns; and backing vocalists are Zelma Davis and Garen Gueyikian. Ringo and Hollander produced the track.

Ringo’s “What’s My Name” is titled after his frequent question from the stage during concerts. (Photo: Bob Gannon)

“Life Is Good,” written by Ringo and Gary Burr, who was a member of Ringo’s side band, the Roundheads. Ringo is on drums, percussion and vocals; Lukather plays guitar; East is on bass; Tench plays organ; Sugar plays synthesizer; and the backing vocals are provided by Page, Ham, Wagner and Kimmel.

“Thank God for Music,” written by Ringo and Hollander. Ringo is on drums, percussion and vocals; Lukather is on guitar; Cox on synth bass, piano and organ; Sugar on synth voice pad; and Maxine Waters and Julia Waters provide backing vocals.

“Send Love, Spread Peace,” written by Ringo and Gary Nicholson, another frequent collaborator, going back to “Never Without You” and on through “Shake It Up” on Ringo’s last album, “Give More Love.” Ringo is on drums, percussion and vocals; Steve Dudas (also of Ringo’s Roundheads) on guitar, East on bass; Tench on organ and piano; and Wagner and Keys on backing vocals.

“What’s My Name,” written by Colin Hay of Men at Work fame and a current All Starr Band member, takes its title from Ringo’s frequent question from the stage to concert audiences. Ringo is on drums, percussion and vocals; Hay provides guitar and backing vocals; Lukather is on guitar; East plays bass. Ham is on harmonica; and the backing vocalists are Maxine Waters and Julia Waters.

As for how the album sounds, he’s not exactly an objective source, but Lukather recently tweeted: “Ringo’s new record is a killer.”

— Bill King