Liverpool 8 is the second song from Ringo Starr (post Beatles) to be presented here after his previous entry Photograph. Rest assured it won’t be his last. I have made it no secret that my musical appreciation leans more towards the Beatles output in their solo careers than when they were together. How many people are aware that Ringo Starr has released 20 studio albums?
Today’s featured track is the title song from Ringo’s 15th release in 2008. Lyrically Liverpool 8 seems a cursory nod to Ringo’s hometown Liverpool with emphasis on his time with the Beatles but as the chorus manifests and the violins and emphatic guitar kick-in with the homey charm in Starr’s voice, this nostalgic song transforms into a rousing and emblematic homage. I can picture patrons shouting Liverpool 8 out at the top of their lungs down at a local tavern somewhere in Liverpool. I like to think John and George would be proud.
The title refers to the postal district of the Toxteth area of Liverpool in which Starr was born (see image above). The single was initially produced by Starr and Mark Hudson, a long-time collaborator of Starr. When Hudson was fired by the former Beatle, Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) was hired to help finish both the single and the studio album. The title track was released on CD and digital download as the first single from the album on 7 January 2008. Liverpool 8 entered the UK Album Chart at number 91, and reached a peak of number 94 in the US. Liverpool 8 has a 59 per cent “mixed or average” rating from Metacritic. Billboard gave the album a positive review, calling it “full of nostalgia for the good ol’ days“.
[Verse 1]
I was a sailor first, I sailed the sea
Then I got a job in a factory
Played Butlin’s Camp with my friend Rory
It was good for him, it was great for me
[Chorus]
Liverpool I left you, said goodbye to Madryn Street
I always followed my heart and I never missed a beat
Destiny was calling, I just couldn’t stick around
Liverpool I left you, but I never let you down
[Verse 2]
Went to Hamburg, the red lights were on
With George and Paul, and my friend John
We rocked all night, we all looked tough
We didn’t have much, but we had enough
[Chorus]
[Verse 3]
In the U.S.A. when we played Shea
We were number one and it was fun
When I look back, it sure was cool
For those four boys from Liverpool
[Chorus]
[Outro]
References:
1. Liverpool 8 (song) – Wikipedia
2. Liverpool 8 – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
Christian will like this!
Yea I remember this song…it’s a lot of fun like most of his songs are.
Lennon gave Ringo a song to record but Lennon was killed right after. “Grow Old With Me”…Ringo recorded it in 2019.
You might like this…it’s short.
I wrote to Christian soon after I published the article that the inspiration for it came from his birthday article on Ringo. I will check out the link you sent. Thanks Max.
Yea I’m sure he will like that…he knows modern Ringo more than I do.
Max was right, I like “Liverpool 8.” 🙂
I included the song in a previous playlist for Ringo’s birthday. I had no idea about that mural at Empress pub in Toxteth – looks pretty massive!
Yes, it was that article. Ringo based on your articles has been the big surprise packet for me in just the sheer amount of songs I like from him which you sent. Yes, that mural is way cool.