‘Blindman’, the b-side of Ringo Starr’s 1972 single ‘Back Off Boogaloo’, was recorded over two sessions held on 18 and 19 August 1971.
It was originally intended to be the title track of the 1971 Spaghetti Western film, directed by Ferdinando Baldi with Starr in a leading role. The song was written by Starr during filming in Almería, Spain.
Well, I’d like to get into an album when I get back, I think. At the moment I’m working on the title song for this film, which I’ve written, and when I get back I’ll have to record and then take it back to Rome to fit with the film.
Melody Maker, 31 July 1971
‘Blindman’ was recorded at Apple Studios on 18 and 19 August 1971, with production credited to “Ringo and Klaus”. Also contributing to the recording was Badfinger’s Pete Ham.
‘Back Off Boogaloo’ was a single released in the UK on 17 March 1972, and three days later in the USA, with ‘Blindman’ on the b-side.
The single peaked at number two on the UK singles chart, Starr’s highest performance. In the US it reached number number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, and 10 on the Cash Box Top 100. It was also a top 10 hit in Canada, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
Both songs were both bonus tracks on the 1992 reissue of Goodnight Vienna.