Written by: Richard Starkey, Vini Poncia
Recorded: 27 January; February; March 1977
Producer: Arif Mardin
Engineer: Lew Hahn
Released: 20 September 1977 (UK), 30 September 1977 (US)
Available on:
Ringo The 4th
Personnel
Ringo Starr: vocals, drums
David Spinozza, John Tropea, Jeff Mironov: guitar
Don Grolnick: keyboards
Ken Bichel: synthesizer
Don Brooks: harmonica
Tony Levin: bass guitar
Steve Gadd: drums
Unknown: strings
Arnold McCuller, Brie Howard, David Lasley, Debra Gray, Jimmy Gilstrap, Joe Bean, Luther Vandross, Lynn Pitney, Marietta Waters, Maxine Anderson, Melissa Manchester, Rebecca Louis, Robin Clark, Vini Poncia: vocals
‘Gave It All Up’ is the fourth song on Ringo Starr’s sixth solo album, 1977’s Ringo The 4th.
It was written by Starr and Vini Poncia, one of six such collaborations on the album.
The song appears to be semi-autobiographical, with Starr musing: “So I sit here with a couple of beers, wondering how I’ve lasted all of these years.” By 1977 his alcoholism was in full effect, and was beginning to overshadow his music and acting career. It was one of several moments of introspection on the album.