It Don’t Come Easy by Ringo Starr – ****

First released: 1971

Poor Ringo was never considered to release anything that amounted to anything after The Beatles and proved it by releasing an album of standards and a country album before this. Fortunately, this (and a number of other songs) hit, and Ringo was able to turn it into a latter-day touring career. This is a staple of his live repertoire. The first time he performed it live was in "The Concert For Bangla Desh", where he famously forgot the lyrics! But it was Ringo, and he was playing with George again after the breakup, LIVE, so all was/is forgiven. Besides, there are many fine examples of Ringo’s live version on subsequent albums including 1990’s "Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band" (this version reissued on 2000’s "The Anthology…So Far"), "Ringo Starr and His Third All-Starr Band Volume 1" from 1997, 1998’s "VH1 Storytellers", 2003’s "Extended Versions", and 2004’s "Tour 2003". If you don’t like this tune, you don’t like Ringo. It was also issued as a bonus track on the 1991 CD issue of Ringo, Ringo’s "Blast From Your Past" compilation in 1975 and 2007’s "Photograph" compilation. Though George doesn’t get composing credit, there is an unreleased solo demo version by George that makes the “Hare Krishna” references more prominent. It’s a good version as well, and hopefully Olivia Harrison will see fit to officially release it someday. Ringo also sung it as a medley with "With a Little Help From My Friends" on "Live at Soundstage" in 2007. It is also on the "Live 2006" album from 2008 bearing the title "Introduction".