Written by: Harry Nilsson
Recorded: 4 November; 1-4 December 1980
Producer: Harry Nilsson
Engineer: Rick Riccio
Released: 27 October 1981 (US), 20 November 1981 (UK)
Available on:
Stop And Smell The Roses
Personnel
Ringo Starr: vocals, drums
Dennis Budimir, Ritchie Zito, Fred Tackett: guitar
Jane Getz: piano
Dennis Belfield: bass guitar
Jim Keltner: drums
Jerry Jumonville: tenor saxophone
Jim Gordon: baritone saxophone
Bruce Paulson: trombone
Lee Thornburg: trumpet
Rick Riccio: flute
Joe Lala: percussion
‘Drumming Is My Madness’ is the third song on Ringo Starr’s eighth solo album, 1981’s Stop And Smell The Roses.
It was written by Harry Nilsson, who had collaborated with Starr since 1973’s Ringo. Nilsson also co-wrote ‘Stop And Take The Time To Smell The Roses’ with Starr, and co-produced both songs as well as a re-recording of ‘Back Off Boogaloo’.
‘Drumming Is My Madness’ is one [of my favourites], because it was fun. It was Harry Nilsson, Jim Keltner and I.
Modern Drummer, 19 July 2005
‘Wrack My Brain’ was the lead single from Stop And Smell The Roses, with ‘Drumming Is My Madness’ on the b-side. Released on the same day as the album, it peaked at number 38 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Starr’s final US top 40 hit.