The Story Behind Ringo Starr’s “It Don’t Come Easy” Lyrics

The Story Behind Ringo Starr’s “It Don’t Come Easy” Lyrics | I Love Classic Rock Videos

Ringo Starr live in 2009 - DrSalvadoctopus / Youtube

After the stint of The Beatles, the 70s were filled with the Fab Four embracing independence and trying to build one’s own career without relying on the Beatle brand. It worked extremely well, even with Ringo Starr, who celebrated success with his song, “It Don’t Come Easy.”

“It Don’t Come Easy” was written by Ringo Starr in early 1968, but was left unfinished. It found its way again after Starr established himself as a solo artist, although he did get a little bit of help from his friends, especially from fellow Beatle George Harrison.

Although the song was solely credited to Starr only, it was not a secret that Harrison helped substantially to the song, and gave the go signal of excluding his name from the credits, to fully mark Starr’s status as “just a drummer” to a “respectable musician.” Over the years, Starr often recognized Harrison’s efforts on the song and even discussed the idea of addressing God or Hare Krishna in it. Starr objected and suggested peace, and the two agreed.

It was also originally entitled “You Gotta Pay Your Dues,” combating the lonesome stereotype of Starr that he couldn’t do music without relying on others.

 

Lyrics:

It don’t come easy,

You know it don’t come easy.

 

It don’t come easy,

You know it don’t come easy.

 

Got to pay your dues if you wanna sing the blues,

And you know it don’t come easy.

You don’t have to shout or leap about,

You can even play them easy.

 

Forget about the past and all your sorrows,

The future won’t last,

It will soon be over tomorrow.

 

I don’t ask for much, i only want your trust,

And you know it don’t come easy.

And this love of mine keeps growing all the time,

And you know it just ain’t easy.

 

Open up your heart, let’s come together,

Use a little love

And we will make it work out better.

 

(ah -)

(ah -)

(ooh-ooh)

(ah-ooh-ooh)

 

Got to pay your dues if you wanna sing the blues,

And you know it don’t come easy.

You don’t have to shout or leap about,

You can even play them easy.

 

Peace, remember peace is how we make it,

Here within your reach

If you’re big enough to take it.

 

I don’t ask for much, i only want your trust,

And you know it don’t come easy.

And this love of mine keeps growing all the time,

And you know it don’t come easy.

https://youtu.be/bvEexTomE1I