Listen: Ringo Starr and Alison Krauss Impart Gratitude on New Single “Thankful”

Ringo Starr is embracing a nearly forgotten era of his career, tapping back into his one-time country phase through the impending release of the new T Bone Burnett-produced and co-written LP Look Up, due on Jan. 10, 2024. As the latest preview and second single off the set, Starr has shared “Thankful,” featuring Alison Krauss. 

Starr’s country roots extend back to his Beatles contributions; “Act Naturally,” “What Goes On,” “Don’t Pass Me By,” and solo LP, his sophomore set, Beaucoups of Blues, which permeated influences of country and western, a far cry from his 1970 debut, the pop-informed Sentimental Journey. 

Look Up features nine numbers written or co-written by Burnett; Starr tapped additional help, such as songwriter Billy Swan’s talents, on one LP feature, while another functions as a co-write from Starr and Bruce Sugar, today’s release, “Thankful.” The newly dropped number finds Ringo sinking his teeth into seemingly Southern-bred music despite his UK upbringing. 

“I love this track. I wrote it with my producer and engineer, Bruce Sugar and I feel we put an LA country sound to it. For the lyrics, I always like to focus on the positive, and for this song in particular, about what we can be thankful for,” Ringo reflects via press release. “I hope it brings you some joy and peace and love.”

In addition to the consistency of instrumental twang, which strikes an overarching feel of the desired country spirit, Starr tapped vocal powerhouse Krauss to decorate the track sonically. Starr takes the lead, delivering the bulk of the song’s lyrics, while Krauss finds moments to harmonize with the longtime backbeat, slipping in her sweet and complimentary understanding of composition. 

Of the entire project, Starr previously shared, “ “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.” 

“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,” Starr concluded. 

Scroll down to listen to “Thankful.” For more information, visit www.ringostarr.com.