Goodnight Vienna

Last updated

Goodnight Vienna
GoodnightVienna1974.jpg
Studio album by
Ringo Starr
Released15 November 1974 (1974-11-15)
RecordedAugust 1974
Studio Sunset Sound, Producer's Workshop, Los Angeles
Genre Rock, pop
Length33:40
Label Apple
Producer Richard Perry
Ringo Starr chronology
Ringo
(1973)		Goodnight Vienna
(1974)		 Blast from Your Past
(1975)
Singles from Goodnight Vienna
  1. "Only You (And You Alone)"
    Released: 11 November 1974 (US); 15 November 1974 (UK)
  2. "No No Song"
    Released: 27 January 1975 (US only)
  3. "Snookeroo"
    Released: 21 February 1975 (UK only)
  4. "(It's All Down to) Goodnight Vienna"
    Released: 2 June 1975 (US only)

Goodnight Vienna is the fourth studio album by Ringo Starr. It was recorded in the summer of 1974 in Los Angeles, and released later that year. Goodnight Vienna followed the commercially successful predecessor Ringo , and Starr used many of the same players, including Billy Preston, Klaus Voormann, Robbie Robertson, Harry Nilsson, and producer Richard Perry. The title is a slang phrase meaning "it's all over".

Contents

Background and recording

While all three other former Beatles had contributed to Ringo (1973), [1] only John Lennon contributed to Goodnight Vienna. On 17 June 1974, Starr called Lennon, who was about to record his Walls and Bridges album, and asked him to write a song he could include on his next album. [2] Lennon wrote what became the title track, "Goodnight Vienna". [nb 1] [3] A demo of "(It's All Down to) Goodnight Vienna" was recorded by Lennon on 28 June, [4] with the session musicians from Walls & Bridges and sent to Starr in advance of the sessions. Besides writing and playing piano on the title track, [5] Lennon suggested Starr cover The Platters' hit "Only You (And You Alone)" [6] playing acoustic guitar and providing a guide vocal for Starr to follow. [2] Starr's versions of both "Only You (And You Alone)" and "(It's All Down to) Goodnight Vienna" were recorded at a session produced by Lennon. [4] [nb 2] Elton John also contributed a track, "Snookeroo", co-written with Bernie Taupin. [7] Harry Nilsson gave Starr the track "Easy for Me", which he later recorded his own version of for his Duit on Mon Dei album. [8]

Release

"Only You (And You Alone)", backed with "Call Me", was issued as an advance single from the album in the US on 11 November 1974, before the album was released. [nb 3] [4] In the US the song reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. [10] Goodnight Vienna was released on the same day as the "Only You (And You Alone)" single in the UK on 15 November. [nb 4] [4] The album reached only number 30 in the UK, and would be Starr's last chart album in his homeland until 1998. The album was released in the US on 18 November, [nb 5] [12] and peaked at number 8, ultimately going gold, and its reviews were generally favourable. It was also originally released in quadrophonic. A promo film for "Only You (And You Alone)" was aired on Top of the Pops on 19 December. [4] On 27 January 1975, "No No Song", backed with "Snookeroo", was released in the US, reaching number 3. [nb 6] [14] Nearly a month later, on 21 February, "Snookeroo" was released as a single in the UK, backed with "Oo-Wee". [14]

On 2 June, a special edit of "(It's All Down to) Goodnight Vienna" and "Goodnight Vienna (Reprise)" was released as a single, backed with an edit of "Oo-Wee", in the US. [14] The cover artwork for Goodnight Vienna was based on a still from the classic 1951 science fiction film The Day the Earth Stood Still , with Starr's head replacing that of actor Michael Rennie shown standing behind the robot Gort. [15] Rennie's character was the alien Klaatu. [15]

A television commercial, which featured a voiceover from Lennon, depicted the album cover's flying saucer (with Starr) over Los Angeles—landing on the roof of the Capitol Records Building in Hollywood. [2] The commercial was produced by Vidtronics Company Inc. [2] and directed by Stanley Dorfman. [16] Starr returned the favour and did the voiceover for the commercial for Lennon's Walls and Bridges album. [2] Immediately after filming the commercial, on 14 November 1974, the promo film for "Only You (And You Alone)" was filmed. [2] During the video Starr and Nilsson mimed to the song, on top of the Capitol Records Building. [2] A lightweight flying saucer and a forty-foot robot named 'Gort' were placed on the building, accompanied by Starr in a spacesuit, and Nilsson sitting in a rocking chair smoking a cigarette in a brown dressing robe, reading that morning's Los Angeles Times , with a front-page photo showing Starr in his space costume. An orange-clad marching band, and forty actors (who formerly played Munchkins in The Wizard of Oz) danced below them at street level. [17] The video aired on BBC TV's Top of the Pops show, on 19 December. [2]

Goodnight Vienna was reissued in the US, this time by Capitol in February 1981. [nb 7] [10] The album was remastered and reissued on CD on 30 November 1992 in the UK, [nb 8] [18] and on 23 March 1993 in the US, [nb 9] [18] with three bonus tracks: [18] 1972 hit single "Back Off Boogaloo", its B-Side "Blindman" and an extended version of the McCartney-penned "Six O'Clock", a shorter version of which had earlier appeared on the LP version of Ringo. [7]

Track listing

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [19]
Billboard (favourable) [20]
Christgau's Record Guide B− [21]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [22]
The Essential Rock Discography 5/10 [23]
MusicHound 2/5 [24]
Record Collector Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [25]
Rolling Stone (favourable) [26]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [27]

Side one

  1. "(It's All Down to) Goodnight Vienna" (John Lennon) – 2:35
  2. "Occapella" (Allen Toussaint) – 2:55
  3. "Oo-Wee" (Vini Poncia, Richard Starkey) – 3:45
  4. "Husbands and Wives" (Roger Miller) – 3:34
  5. "Snookeroo" (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) – 3:27

Side two

  2. "All by Myself" (Poncia, Starkey) – 3:21
  3. "Call Me" (Starkey) – 4:07
  4. "No No Song" (Hoyt Axton, David Jackson) – 2:33
  5. "Only You (And You Alone)" (Buck Ram) – 3:26
  6. "Easy for Me" (Harry Nilsson) – 2:20
  7. "Goodnight Vienna (Reprise)" (Lennon) – 1:20

1992 bonus tracks

  2. "Back Off Boogaloo" (Starkey) – 3:22
  3. "Blindman" (Starkey) – 2:46
  4. "Six O'Clock (Extended Version)" (Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney) – 5:23

Personnel

Charts

Notes

  1. ↑ The title was, as Starr commented, "a Northern Expression [...] which means 'I'm getting out of here'." [3]
  2. ↑ Lennon's versions of "Goodnight Vienna" and "Only You" appear on the 1998 box set John Lennon Anthology .
  3. ↑ US Apple 1876 [9]
  4. ↑ Album: UK Apple PCS 7168; [11] Single: UK Apple R 6000 [9]
  5. ↑ US Apple SW-3417 [12]
  6. ↑ US Apple 1880 [13]
  7. ↑ US Capitol SN-16219 [10]
  8. ↑ UK Parlophone CDEMS 1467 [11]
  9. ↑ US Capitol CDP 7 80378 2 [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ringo Starr</span> English musician and member the Beatles (born 1940)

Sir Richard Starkey, known professionally as Ringo Starr, is an English musician, songwriter and actor who achieved international fame as the drummer for the Beatles. Starr occasionally sang lead vocals with the group, usually for one song on each album, including "Yellow Submarine" and "With a Little Help from My Friends". He also wrote and sang the Beatles songs "Don't Pass Me By" and "Octopus's Garden", and is credited as a co-writer of four others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ringo Starr discography</span>

English musician Ringo Starr has released 20 studio albums and 46 singles. Starr achieved international fame as a member of British rock band the Beatles.

<i>Ringo</i> (album) 1973 studio album by Ringo Starr

Ringo is the third studio album by English musician Ringo Starr, released in 1973 on Apple Records. It peaked at No. 7 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified platinum by the RIAA. In Canada, it reached No. 1 on the RPM national albums chart.

<i>Ringo Rama</i> 2003 studio album by Ringo Starr

Ringo Rama is the 13th studio album by Ringo Starr, released in 2003.

<i>Beaucoups of Blues</i> 1970 studio album by Ringo Starr

Beaucoups of Blues is the second studio album by the English rock musician and former Beatle Ringo Starr. It was released in September 1970, five months after his debut solo album, Sentimental Journey. Beaucoups of Blues is very far removed in style from its pop-based predecessor, relying on country and western influences. A longtime fan of the genre, Starr recorded the album over three days in Nashville with producer Pete Drake and an ensemble of local session players. Beaucoups of Blues failed to chart in Britain but achieved moderate commercial success in the United States, where it reached number 35 on Billboard's Country Albums list and number 65 on the Billboard Top LPs chart.

<i>Blast from Your Past</i> 1975 compilation album by Ringo Starr

Blast from Your Past is a compilation album by English rock musician Ringo Starr, released on Apple Records in 1975. It is both Starr's first compilation LP and his final release under his contract with EMI. It was also the last album to be released on the Beatles' Apple label until it was revived in the 1990s.

<i>Ringos Rotogravure</i> 1976 studio album by Ringo Starr

Ringo's Rotogravure is the fifth studio album by Ringo Starr, released in 1976. It was the last project to feature active involvement from all four former Beatles before John Lennon's murder in 1980, and the second of two projects following the band's 1970 breakup to hold the distinction. Following the end of his contract with EMI, Starr signed on with Polydor Records worldwide.

<i>Ringo the 4th</i> 1977 studio album by Ringo Starr

Ringo the 4th is the sixth studio album by English musician Ringo Starr, released on 20 September 1977. Its title is sometimes ascribed to him being the fourth member of the Beatles. Others have suggested that it is his fourth mainstream album, which excludes his Great American Songbook homage, Sentimental Journey, and his country-western foray, Beaucoups of Blues. However, Ringo the 4th is a dance-oriented record, crafted for him by his Atlantic Records producer, Arif Mardin.

<i>Bad Boy</i> (Ringo Starr album) 1978 studio album by Ringo Starr

Bad Boy is the seventh studio album by English rock musician Ringo Starr, released in 1978 by Polydor Records. The album was released at a time of diminishing success for Starr, failing to chart in the UK and reaching only No. 129 in the US and No. 98 in Australia, with none of its singles charting in either the UK or US. Prior to its release in the US, it was cross-promoted with the TV special Ringo, which was poorly received, and a planned follow-up special never came to fruition. Bad Boy would ultimately be Starr's final album release for Polydor.

<i>Stop and Smell the Roses</i> (Ringo Starr album) 1981 studio album by Ringo Starr

Stop and Smell the Roses is the eighth studio album by English rock musician Ringo Starr. Released in October 1981, it followed the twin commercial failures of Ringo the 4th (1977) and Bad Boy (1978). The album includes the hit single "Wrack My Brain", written and produced by George Harrison, but otherwise failed to find commercial success. It also includes contributions from Paul McCartney, Harry Nilsson, Ronnie Wood and Stephen Stills.

<i>Old Wave</i> 1983 studio album by Ringo Starr

Old Wave is the ninth studio album by English rock musician Ringo Starr. It was originally released in June 1983, on the label Bellaphon, and is the two-year follow-up to his 1981 album Stop and Smell the Roses. The title is a play on new wave music.

<i>Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band</i> (album) 1990 live album by Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band

Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band is Ringo Starr's first official live album, and the first album recorded with his All-Starr Band, recorded in 1989 during his successful comeback tour and released in 1990. It was also Starr's first release of unheard material in seven years.

<i>Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band Volume 2: Live from Montreux</i> 1993 live album by Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band

Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band Volume 2: Live from Montreux is Ringo Starr's second official live album and was released in September 1993.

<i>Ringo Starr and His Third All-Starr Band Volume 1</i> 1997 live album by Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band

Ringo Starr and His Third All-Starr Band, Volume 1 is a limited edition live album by Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band, recorded at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan. It was released on 12 August 1997 by Blockbuster for $5.99. The All-Starr Band included the return of the keyboardist Billy Preston from the First All-Starr Band, and Starr's son Zak Starkey continuing from on from the Second All-Starr Band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Back Off Boogaloo</span> 1972 song by Ringo Starr

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No No Song</span> 1975 single by Ringo Starr

"No No Song" is a 1974 song by English musician Ringo Starr. Written by Hoyt Axton and David Jackson, it appeared on Starr's 1974 album, Goodnight Vienna. It was released as a single in the US on 27 January 1975, backed with "Snookeroo," and reached No. 1 in Canada, #3 in the Billboard charts, becoming his 7th and last top 10 hit. It also reached No. 1 on Cash Box charts in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(It's All Down to) Goodnight Vienna</span> 1975 single by Ringo Starr

"(It's All Down to) Goodnight Vienna" is a song written by John Lennon, and released by Ringo Starr as the opening title track to his 1974 album Goodnight Vienna. A brief reprise closes the album. Released as the third single, this version is a medley combination of the two. The single was released in the US on 2 June 1975.

"Sunshine Life for Me (Sail Away Raymond)" is a song by English musician Ringo Starr from his 1973 album Ringo. It was written by George Harrison, Starr's former bandmate in the Beatles, and was one of several contributions Harrison made to Ringo. Recording for the song took place in Los Angeles in March 1973, with Richard Perry as producer. In addition to Starr and Harrison, the musicians on the track include Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko and Garth Hudson of the Band, and multi-instrumentalist David Bromberg.

"Six O'Clock" is a song by English rock musician Ringo Starr from his 1973 album Ringo. It was written by Starr's former Beatles bandmate Paul McCartney and the latter's wife, Linda, who also participated in the recording of the song. It was the first time McCartney and Starr had worked together since the Beatles' break-up in 1970. Their collaboration reflected an easing of the tensions that had existed between the two musicians for much of that period.

References

  1. ↑ Rodriguez, Robert (2010). Fab Four FAQ 2.0: The Beatles' Solo Years, 1970–1980 (illustrated ed.). New York: Backbeat Books. p. 34. ISBN   978-0-87930-968-8.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Miles, Barry; Badman, Keith, eds. (2001). The Beatles Diary After the Break-Up: 1970–2001 (reprint ed.). London: Music Sales Group. ISBN   978-0-7119-8307-6.
  3. 1 2 "A Space Odyssey". NME . NME Originals. 2 (3): 91. 2005.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 120. ISBN   978-0-7535-0843-5.
  5. ↑ Blaney, John (2005). John Lennon: Listen to This Book (illustrated ed.). [S.l.]: Paper Jukebox. p. 142. ISBN   978-0-9544528-1-0.
  6. ↑ Rodriguez, Robert (2010). Fab Four FAQ 2.0: The Beatles' Solo Years, 1970–1980 (illustrated ed.). New York: Backbeat Books. p. 37. ISBN   978-0-87930-968-8.
  7. 1 2 Rodriguez, Robert (2010). Fab Four FAQ 2.0: The Beatles' Solo Years, 1970–1980 (illustrated ed.). New York: Backbeat Books. p. 36. ISBN   978-0-87930-968-8.
  8. ↑ Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 193. ISBN   978-0-7535-0843-5.
  9. 1 2 Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 262. ISBN   978-0-7535-0843-5.
  10. 1 2 3 Whitburn, Joel (2007). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-2006. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research. p. 801. ISBN   978-0-89820-172-7.
  11. 1 2 Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 184. ISBN   978-0-7535-0843-5.
  12. 1 2 3 Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 185. ISBN   978-0-7535-0843-5.
  13. ↑ Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 257. ISBN   978-0-7535-0843-5.
  14. 1 2 3 Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 121. ISBN   978-0-7535-0843-5.
  15. 1 2 Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 206. ISBN   978-0-7535-0843-5.
  16. ↑ "Goodnight Vienna". The Beatles Bible. 9 August 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  17. ↑ Shipton, Alyn (2013). Nilsson: The Life of a Singer-Songwriter (First ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. 379, 381, 381. ISBN   978-0190263546.
  18. 1 2 3 Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 146. ISBN   978-0-7535-0843-5.
  19. ↑ Ruhlmann, William. "Goodnight Vienna – Ringo Starr". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  20. ↑ Bob Kirsch (ed.), "Top Album Picks", Billboard , 23 November 1974, p. 80 (retrieved 22 November 2014).
  21. ↑ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: S". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN   089919026X . Retrieved 13 March 2019– via robertchristgau.com.
  22. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th edn). London: Omnibus Press. p. 1984. ISBN   978-0-85712-595-8.
  23. ↑ Strong, Martin C. (2006). The Essential Rock Discography. Edinburgh, UK: Canongate. p. 1028. ISBN   978-184195-827-9.
  24. ↑ Gary Graff & Daniel Durchholz (eds), MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide, Visible Ink Press (Farmington Hills, MI, 1999; ISBN   1-57859-061-2), p. 1083.
  25. ↑ Staunton, Neil (February 2018). "Ringo Starr Ringo; Goodnight Vienna". Record Collector . p. 104.
  26. ↑ Nolan, Tom (24 April 1975). "Ringo Starr: Goodnight Vienna". Rolling Stone . p. 62. Archived from the original on 16 October 2007. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  27. ↑ Brackett, Nathan, with Hoard, Christian (eds) (2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th edn). New York, NY: Fireside. p. 777. ISBN   0-7432-0169-8.
  28. 1 2 Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  29. ↑ "austriancharts.at Ringo Starr - Goodnight Vienna". Hung Medien (in German). Archived from the original (ASP) on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  30. ↑ Library and Archives Canada. Archived 26 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2 July 2012
  31. ↑ Billboard -11 January- 1975. 11 January 1975. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  32. ↑ "InfoDisc : Tous les Albums classés par Artiste > Choisir Un Artiste Dans la Liste : Ringo STARR" (in French). infodisc.fr. Archived from the original on 6 May 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  33. ↑ "- Yamachan Land (Archives of the Japanese record charts) - Albums Chart Daijiten - The Beatles" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 14 February 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  34. ↑ "norwegiancharts.com Ringo Starr - Goodnight Vienna". VG-lista. Archived from the original (ASP) on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  35. ↑ "The Official Charts Company Ringo Starr - Goodnight Vienna" (PHP). The Official Charts Company . Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  36. ↑ "allmusic ((( Goodnight Vienna > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums )))". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  37. ↑ "Ringo Starr: Goodnight Vienna" (in German). Media Control. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  38. ↑ "RPM Top 100 Albums of 1975". RPM . Archived from the original on 19 July 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  39. ↑ "Les Albums (CD) de 1975 par InfoDisc" (in French). infodisc.fr. Archived from the original (PHP) on 11 July 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  40. ↑ "Top Pop Albums of 1975". Billboard. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  41. ↑ "British album certifications – Ringo Starr – Goodnight Vienna". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  42. ↑ "American album certifications – Ringo Starr – Goodnight Vienna". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved 2 July 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.