Back off Boogaloo

Ringo Starr

About Back off Boogaloo

"Back Off Boogaloo" is a song by English rock musician Ringo Starr that was released as a non-album single in March 1972. Starr's former Beatles bandmate George Harrison produced the recording and helped Starr write the song, although he remained uncredited as a co-writer until 2017. Recording took place in London shortly after the pair had appeared together at Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh shows in August 1971. The single was a follow-up to Starr's 1971 hit song "It Don't Come Easy" and continued his successful run as a solo artist. "Back Off Boogaloo" peaked at number 2 in Britain and Canada, and number 9 on America's Billboard Hot 100. It remains Starr's highest-charting single in the United Kingdom. The title for the song was inspired by English singer-songwriter Marc Bolan. Several commentators have interpreted the lyrics as an attack on Paul McCartney, reflecting Starr's disdain for the music McCartney had made as a solo artist over the previous two years. "Back Off Boogaloo" demonstrates the influence of glam rock on Starr, who directed the documentary film Born to Boogie about Bolan's band T. Rex around this time. Described by one biographer as a "high-energy in-your-face rocker", the song features a prominent slide guitar part by Harrison and contributions from musicians Gary Wright and Klaus Voormann. Starr made a promotional film for the single in which he is followed around the grounds of John Lennon's Tittenhurst Park property by a Frankenstein-like monster. The single's B-side, "Blindman", was originally intended as the theme song to the 1971 film of the same name, a spaghetti western in which Starr had a starring role. 


Year:
1981
120 
#1

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Back off, Boo-ga-loo, I said,
Back off, Boo-ga-loo, come on,
Back off, Boo-ga-loo, Boo.

Back off, Boo-ga-loo,
What d'yer think you're gonna do
I got a flash right from the start.

Wake up, meat head
Don't pretend that you are dead
Get yourself up off the cart.

Get yourself together now
And give me something tasty,
Everything you try to do
You know it sure sound wasted!

Back off, Boo-ga-loo, I said,
Back off, Boo-ga-loo.
You think you're a groove
Standing there in your wallpapers shoes
And your socks that match your eyes

Back off, Boo-ga-loo, I said,
Back off, Boo-ga-loo, come on,
Back off, Boo-ga-loo, Boo.

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Ringo Starr

Richard Starkey MBE (born 7 July 1940), known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for the Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He joined the Beatles in August 1962, taking the place of Pete Best. In addition to his drumming, Starr is featured on lead vocals on a number of successful Beatles songs (in particular, "With a Little Help from My Friends", "Yellow Submarine", and the Beatles' version of "Act Naturally"). He is credited as a co-writer of the songs "What Goes On", "Flying", and "Dig It" and as the sole writer of "Don't Pass Me By" and "Octopus's Garden". more »

5 fans

Written by: RICHARD STARKEY

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Release Details
"Back Off Boogaloo" is a song by Ringo Starr, former drummer of the Beatles; it was released as a non-album single in 1972.
Billboard Peak
This song is one of Ringo Starr's most successful solo hits. It reached #9 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and spent a total of 12 weeks on the chart.
Song Inspiration
"Back Off Boogaloo" was inspired by Marc Bolan of T. Rex. Ringo got the phrase 'back off boogaloo' from Bolan, who used to say it a lot and found it rhythmic.
Production Team
The song is produced by George Harrison, his former bandmate in the Beatles, and it features him on guitar.
Music Video
This song has an interesting music video directed by George Harrison which features Starr walking around an urban studio lot with surreal oversized objects like giant playing cards.
Song Re-recording
Ringo Starr re-recorded "Back Off Boogaloo" in 1981 for his album "Stop and Smell the Roses".
UK Chart Performance
Although it was a top ten hit in America, "Back Off Boogaloo" didn't quite break into the top ten in the UK, peaking at #2 on the UK Singles Chart.
Celebrity Backing
The song features prominent participation from celebrities and renowned musicians. Besides George Harrison, the track also features contributions from Gary Wright on piano and Klaus Voorman on bass.
Impact on Music History
"Back Off Boogaloo" is predicted to have influenced the Queen's hit "Radio Ga Ga", due to its similar chord sequence.
B-side
The song's B-side was "Blindman", a track originally recorded for the Blindman film soundtrack. The B-side didn't chart but was included in Ringo's "Goodnight Vienna" album.
Album Inclusion
Although it was initially released as a standalone single, "Back Off Boogaloo" later appeared in the 1975 hits compilation "Blast From Your Past", in the 1989 UK hits package called "The Best of Ringo Starr: Back Off Boogaloo", and in a variety of ringo's best-hit compilation albums.
Song Lyrics
Ringo Starr revealed in an interview that the lyrics of “Back off Boogaloo” were about Paul McCartney with 'boogaloo' being Starr's nickname for Paul.

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    Back off Boogaloo

    943.6K
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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1972

    Billboard #9


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