Ringo Starr was always the most country of the Beatles, covering Buck Owens’ “Act Naturally” and professing his love of Kitty Wells, his favorite singer. Fifty-five years since he released the twangy country solo album Beaucoups of Blues in 1970, Starr will return to the genre with Look Up, a new album arriving Jan. 10, 2025. It’s a collection of 11 songs — many of them cowritten by T Bone Burnett, who produced the album — including the breakup ballad “Time on My Hands,” out today.
With Paul Franklin’s pedal steel weeping behind him, Starr sings about all that he has left (“now these arms are empty/and I’ve got time on my hands”) since his loved one departed in “Time on My Hands,” written by Burnett with Daniel Tashian (Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour) and Paul Kennerly (1978’s White Mansions).
While not a collabs project, bluegrass pickers Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle play guitar on multiple songs, and Tuttle duets with Starr on “Can You Hear Me Call.” Larkin Poe and Lucius appear on other tracks, with Alison Krauss harmonizing on the closing song “Thankful,” written by Starr and Bruce Sugar. (Starr plays drums throughout.)
“I’ve always loved country music. And when I asked T Bone to write me a song, I didn’t even think at the time that it would be a country song – but of course it was, and it was so beautiful,” Starr says in a statement. “I had been making EPs at the time and so I thought we would do a country EP — but when he brought me nine songs I knew we had to make an album! And I am so glad we did. I want to thank, and send Peace & Love, to T Bone and all the great musicians who helped make this record. It was a joy making it and I hope it is a joy to listen to.”
“I have loved Ringo Starr and his playing and his singing and his aesthetic for as long as I can (or care to) remember,” Burnett adds. “He changed the way every drummer after him played, with his inventive approach to the instrument. And, he has always sung killer rockabilly, as well as being a heartbreaking ballad singer. To get to make this music with him was something like the realization of a 60-year dream I’ve been living. None of the work that I have done through a long life in music would have happened if not for him and his band. Among other things, this album is a way I can say thank you for all he has given me and us.”
Starr will perform songs from the album during a two-night stand at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Jan. 14 and 15, 2025. Tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 25.
Look Up tracklist:
1. “Breathless” (featuring Billy Strings) (T Bone Burnett)
2. “Look Up” (featuring Molly Tuttle) (Daniel Tashian, T Bone Burnett)
3. “Time on My Hands” (Paul Kennerly, Daniel Tashian, T Bone Burnett)
4. “Never Let Me Go” (featuring Billy Strings) (T Bone Burnett)
5. “I Live for Your Love” (featuring Molly Tuttle) (Billy Swan, T Bone Burnett)
6. “Come Back” (featuring Lucius) (T Bone Burnett)
7. “Can You Hear Me Call” (featuring Molly Tuttle) (T Bone Burnett)
8. “Rosetta” (featuring Billy Strings and Larkin Poe) (T Bone Burnett)
9. “You Want Some” (Billy Swan)
10. “String Theory” (featuring Molly Tuttle) (Daniel Tashian, T Bone Burnett)
11. “Thankful” (featuring Alison Krauss) (Richard Starkey, Bruce Sugar)