Tuesday 27 October 1981 | US album release | Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr’s eighth solo album, Stop and Smell the Roses, was released in the United States on 27 October 1981, nearly a month before its British release. It brought together recordings made with a wide circle of friends and collaborators, including Paul and Linda McCartney, George Harrison, Ronnie Wood and Harry Nilsson.
The album arrived alongside its lead single, Wrack My Brain, backed with Drumming Is My Madness. The single gave Ringo another American Top 40 record, while the LP added a new chapter to the solo catalogue he had begun with Sentimental Journey.
| US release | Tuesday 27 October 1981 |
|---|---|
| Artist | Ringo Starr |
| Album | Stop and Smell the Roses |
| Place in his solo catalogue | Eighth solo album |
| Main recording period | July 1980–February 1981 |
| Principal recording locations | United States and the Bahamas |
| Lead single | Wrack My Brain / Drumming Is My Madness |
| Single’s US Billboard Hot 100 peak | No. 38 |
| Album’s US chart peak | No. 98 |
An album made with friends
Most of the album’s recording took place in the United States and the Bahamas between July 1980 and February 1981. Its collaborators connected Ringo with former Beatles bandmates and musicians from his wider circle.
Paul and Linda McCartney, George Harrison, Ronnie Wood and Harry Nilsson all contributed to the project. The resulting album combined material written for Ringo with familiar songs and performances shaped by the different people working with him.
The presence of Paul and George was particularly meaningful within Ringo’s solo story. Their contributions continued a pattern of musical friendship beyond the Beatles, with Ringo remaining the voice at the centre of the record.
Ronnie Wood’s contribution also connects the album with The Rolling Stones. Explore their history, albums, members and merchandise at our sister store, Wonderhaul.
George Harrison and Wrack My Brain
Wrack My Brain was written and produced by George Harrison. Released with the album in the United States, it paired Ringo’s vocal with a song supplied by his former bandmate.
The single reached No. 38 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Ringo’s final US Top 40 hit. Billboard’s retrospective of Ringo’s chart songs confirms that peak.
Its B-side, Drumming Is My Madness, also appeared on the album. Together, the two sides offered listeners a preview of a project that brought several distinct songwriting voices into Ringo’s repertoire.
Paul McCartney’s Private Property
The album opened with Private Property, written by Paul McCartney. Paul also supplied Attention, giving the collection two of his songs alongside George’s Wrack My Brain.
Private Property was issued as the second US single on 13 January 1982. It did not follow Wrack My Brain into the charts, and Ringo was dropped by RCA afterwards.
For fans of Ringo’s solo career, explore the Ringo Starr Colour Peace T-shirt.
The original album tracklist
The ten-track LP placed the lead singles alongside the title-related song, other new material and familiar titles:
Side one
- Private Property
- Wrack My Brain
- Drumming Is My Madness
- Attention
- Stop and Take the Time to Smell the Roses
Side two
- Dead Giveaway
- You Belong to Me
- Sure to Fall
- You’ve Got a Nice Way
- Back Off Boogaloo
The sequence balanced the new singles with a broader programme, closing with Back Off Boogaloo. The album title echoed the longer title of Stop and Take the Time to Smell the Roses, while the cover translated that phrase into a simple portrait of Ringo holding red roses.
The American release and its chart showing
The US album reached No. 98. Wrack My Brain’s Top 40 success gave the campaign its strongest American chart result, with the album following a more modest course.
The British issue followed nearly a month later. This makes 27 October the American release anniversary, rather than a single worldwide launch date.
Although the follow-up single did not sustain the chart momentum, the album remains a notable meeting point for Ringo and his collaborators, including both Paul McCartney and George Harrison.
From Sentimental Journey to the eighth solo album
Ringo’s solo album career had begun more than a decade earlier. Our article on the first Night and Day session on 27 October 1969 follows the opening day of Sentimental Journey.
That earlier date offers a fitting connection on the same calendar day: in 1969 Ringo was beginning his first studio album, while in 1981 American listeners were receiving his eighth solo release. The two projects show different stages of his work as a featured singer and recording artist.
Continue exploring with the Ringo Starr Peace Red Circle T-shirt.
Frequently asked questions
When was Stop and Smell the Roses released in the United States?
It was released on 27 October 1981, nearly a month before its UK release.
Which number solo album was it for Ringo?
It was his eighth solo album.
Who were some of the album’s collaborators?
They included Paul and Linda McCartney, George Harrison, Ronnie Wood and Harry Nilsson.
Who wrote Wrack My Brain?
George Harrison wrote and produced the song for Ringo.
How did the lead single and album perform in the US?
Wrack My Brain reached No. 38 on the Billboard Hot 100, while the album peaked at No. 98.
What was the follow-up single?
Paul McCartney’s Private Property was released as the second US single on 13 January 1982.
The same date in 1969: Ringo begins Sentimental Journey · More On This Day in Beatles History
For more of your favourite music artists and bands, shop music merchandise at Wonderhaul, our sister store.
0 comments