‘Early 1970’, the b-side of Ringo Starr’s 1971 single ‘It Don’t Come Easy’, was recorded at Abbey Road on 3 October 1970.
One of a handful of post-Beatles songs to be solely composed by Starr, the song’s lyrics chronicle the break-up of The Beatles and his relationship with the other band members. The verses discuss Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison in turn, and how Starr hopes to play with them again.
I keep looking around and thinking where are they? What are they doing? When will they come back and talk to me?
Look magazine, February 1970
‘Early 1970’ had the working titles ‘When I Come To Town (Four Nights In Moscow)’ and ‘When Four Nights Come To Town’. It was recorded during a break in the sessions for John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.
Starr played rhythm acoustic guitar and overdubbed a dobro part, plus brief snippets of piano and bass in the final verse. The musicians were Harrison and Klaus Voormann.