Snookeroo
| "Snookeroo" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) A-side label | ||||
| Single by Ringo Starr | ||||
| from the album Goodnight Vienna | ||||
| A-side | "No No Song (US)" | |||
| B-side | "Oo-Wee (UK)" | |||
| Released | 21 February 1975 (UK only) | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 3:29 | |||
| Label | Apple Records | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Elton John and Bernie Taupin | |||
| Producer(s) | Richard Perry | |||
| Ringo Starr singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Goodnight Vienna track listing | ||||
| Template:Goodnight Vienna tracks | ||||
"Snookeroo" is a song written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin and released by Ringo Starr on his 1974 album Goodnight Vienna.
Writing and release
The song, which concerns a happy-go-lucky lout from northern England, was written about Starr himself.[1][failed verification] Bernie Taupin backs this up by calling it "a simple biographical thing".[2][failed verification] Elton John recalled, "Bernie wrote really simple lyrics, very Ringo type lyrics and I tried to write a simple sort of melody to it".[2] Elton John also plays piano on the track and provides the count-off.
The title refers to the billiards game snooker. Charting as a tag-along with "No No Song" in the US, it reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100. On the Cash Box chart, which listed single sides separately, it "bubbled under" at number 105.[3]
The UK version of the single was released on 21 February 1975 with "Oo-Wee" on the B-side,[nb 1];[4] both tracks were taken from the album Goodnight Vienna.
Reception
Billboard described "Snookeroo" as "a perfect Ringo type cut" that is "an uptempo, happy song" with good use of horns and string instruments.[5] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Dave Swanson rated it Starr's 5th greatest solo song.[6] The record failed to chart in the UK.[6]
References
- Footnotes
- Citations
- ^ Bernardin, Claude; Stanton, Tom. Rocket Man: Elton John A to Z. p. 95.
- ^ a b Fong-Torres, Ben (21 November 1974). "The Four Eyed Bitch is Back". Rolling Stone. p. 61.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2015). The Comparison Book. Menonomee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 481. ISBN 978-0-89820-213-7.
- ^ a b Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 182. ISBN 9780753508435.
- ^ "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard. February 1, 1975. p. 78. Retrieved 2020-07-17.
- ^ a b Swenson, Dave (November 23, 2013). "Top 10 Ringo Starr Solo Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
External links
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