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Don't Pass Me By
Don't Pass Me By
Don't Pass Me By
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"Don't Pass Me By"
Cover of the Apple Publishing sheet music
Song by the Beatles
from the album The Beatles
Released22 November 1968
Recorded5–6 June, 12 and 22 July 1968
StudioEMI, London
GenreCountry rock
Length
  • 3:46 (mono)
  • 3:51 (stereo)
LabelApple
SongwriterRichard Starkey
ProducerGeorge Martin

"Don't Pass Me By" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1968 double album The Beatles (also known as the "White Album"). A country rock song, it was the first solo composition written by drummer Ringo Starr.[1]

The song was released as a single in Scandinavia (misattributed to Lennon–McCartney) and peaked at number one in Denmark in April 1969.[2]

Origin

[edit]

Starr first played the song for the other Beatles soon after he joined the group in August 1962.[3] During an interview, Starr commented on the songwriting process, saying: "I wrote 'Don't Pass Me By' when I was sitting round at home. I was fiddling with the piano – I just bang away – and then if a melody comes and some words, I just have to keep going. It was great to get my first song down, one that I had written. It was a very exciting time for me and everyone was really helpful, and recording that crazy violinist was a thrilling moment".[4]

The earliest public mention of the track seems to have been in a BBC chatter session introducing "And I Love Her" on the radio show Top Gear in 1964. In the conversation, Starr was asked if he had written a song and Paul McCartney mocked him soon afterwards, singing the first line of the refrain, "Don't pass me by, don't make me cry, don't make me blue, baby".[5]

Recording

[edit]

The song was recorded in four separate sessions in 1968: 5 and 6 June, and 12 and 22 July. Despite references to it in 1964 as "Don't Pass Me By",[6] it was called "Ringo's Tune (Untitled)" on 5 June session tape label and "This Is Some Friendly" on 6 June label. By 12 July, the title was restored.[1]

During a lead vocal track recorded on 6 June, Starr audibly counted out eight beats,[1] and it can be heard in the released song starting at 2:30 of the 1987 CD version. The monaural mix is faster than the stereo mix, and features a different arrangement of violin in the fade-out.

George Martin arranged an orchestral interlude as an introduction, but this was rejected.[6] It would eventually be used as an incidental cue for the Beatles' animated film Yellow Submarine. In 1996, the introduction was released as the track "A Beginning" on Anthology 3.[6][7]

At the start of the Beatles' filmed rehearsals at Twickenham Film Studios in January 1969, George Harrison, having recently visited Bob Dylan and the Band in Woodstock in upstate New York, reported to Starr and McCartney that "Don't Pass Me By" was the Band's favourite track on the White Album. He added that the song's country mood was "their scene completely" and told Starr, "You'd go down a bomb with them".[8]

Critical reception

[edit]

Among contemporary reviews of The Beatles, Record Mirror said that "Don't Pass Me By" had a "carnival atmosphere" and a "'gay Paree' sound", adding that, with Starr's vocal, the track was "very appealing".[9] Writing for the same publication in January 1969, however, David Griffiths said that although he considered The Beatles to be the best album of the past year, the song's arrangement "has quickly palled on me" and "I do tend to jump the needle here."[10] Barry Miles of International Times described "Don't Pass Me By" as "Ringo's C&W number" and a "great song", and highlighted the "excellent fiddle player" and "bag-pipe effect".[11] In his review for The New York Times, Nik Cohn recognised the track as "the Beatles five years back, straight ahead and clumsy and greatly enjoyable, backed by a beautiful hurdy-gurdy organ and made perfect by Ringo's own vocal, sleepwalking as ever".[12]

Writing in 2014, Ian Fortnam of Classic Rock magazine cited "Don't Pass Me By" as one of the four songs that made the Beatles' White Album an "enduring blueprint for rock", along with "Yer Blues", "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "Helter Skelter", in that together they contained "every one of rock's key ingredients". In the case of Starr's song, he said that the track was poorly served by the McCartney-led arrangement, yet it represented a "southern rock exemplar par excellence" for musicians to come.[13]

Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of its release, Jacob Stolworthy of The Independent listed "Don't Pass Me By" at number 26 in his ranking of the White Album's 30 tracks. He wrote: "This country ditty from Ringo was written years before the White Album, and – while suitably thigh-slapping – doesn’t ever outlive its making-up-the-numbers status".[14]

Personnel

[edit]

Personnel per Ian MacDonald[6] and supported by Mark Lewisohn[1]

The pianos were both recorded into a Leslie 147 speaker.

Cover versions

[edit]

"Don't Pass Me By" has been covered by the alt-country band the Gourds, by the Southern rock band the Georgia Satellites on their 1988 album Open All Night,[15] and by the Punkles on their 2004 album Pistol.[16] Fortnam highlights the Georgia Satellites' recording as a version that successfully captured the "full boogie-rocking potential" that had been ignored in the Beatles' guitar-less arrangement in 1968.[13]

Phish covered "Don't Pass Me By" live as part of their interpretation of The Beatles, released on the album Live Phish Volume 13, giving the song a bluegrass arrangement.[17]

Ringo Starr released a re-recording of the song as a bonus track on his 2017 album Give More Love.

"A Beginning"

[edit]
"A Beginning"
Instrumental by George Martin
from the album Anthology 3
Released28 October 1996 (UK)
29 October 1996 (US)
Recorded22 July 1968
GenreOrchestral
Length0:50
LabelApple Records
ComposerGeorge Martin
ProducerGeorge Martin
"A Beginning" redirects here. For other uses, see Beginning (disambiguation).

"A Beginning" is an instrumental piece composed by Martin and intended as an introduction to "Don't Pass Me By".[18] It was instead used as an incidental cue in the Beatles' cartoon film Yellow Submarine and heard right before "Eleanor Rigby". It was included on Anthology 3[18] as a replacement of a planned "new Beatles song", "Now and Then" (along with "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love").

"A Beginning" was scored by George Martin and recorded on 22 July 1968, using the same orchestra that appeared on the Beatles' song "Good Night".[19]

Personnel

[edit]
  • Unknown musicians: twelve violins, three violas, harp, three flutes, clarinets, horn, vibraphone, bass [19]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Don't Pass Me By

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"Don't Pass Me By" is a song by the English rock band , written and sung by drummer , and released as the second track on side two of their 1968 double album (also known as the White Album). It marks Starr's first solo composition recorded and released with the group. The song was composed by Starr years earlier, with its origins dating back to at least 1964 when the Beatles referenced it during a introduction. Recording took place primarily on 5 June 1968 at EMI Studios in , with additional sessions on 6 June, 12 June, and 22 July 1968. The track features Starr on lead vocals, piano, sleigh bells, and percussion, alongside contributions from on piano, bass, and drums, and violinist Jack Fallon on . Produced by and released under the label, it runs for 3:46 in the mono version and 3:51 in stereo. "Don't Pass Me By" blends simple chord progressions with a rustic, country-influenced style, reflecting Starr's straightforward songwriting approach. An unused orchestral introduction recorded during the sessions was later released as the instrumental "A Beginning" on the 1996 compilation . The song's lyrics convey themes of longing and plea, with Starr singing about waiting for a loved one's return, and it has been noted for its fiddle solo and lighthearted tone amid the White Album's diverse material.

Background and Composition

Writing and Inspiration

Ringo Starr began composing "Don't Pass Me By" in the early 1960s, marking his first foray into songwriting for The Beatles, with the track first referenced in press reports from 1963. The song received its earliest public mention during a BBC Radio's Top Gear interview on 14 July 1964, where Starr revealed he had written a composition, prompting Paul McCartney to sing a portion of the chorus: "Don't pass me by, don't make me cry, don't make me blue." Additional early allusions appeared in a June 1964 New Zealand radio interview and a September 1964 Cleveland press conference, highlighting Starr's ongoing development of the piece over several years. Originally titled "This Is Some Friendly"—a working name used during sessions—the song evolved into "Don't Pass Me By," encapsulating themes of longing and abandonment as the protagonist anxiously awaits a absent loved one who never returns. Starr drew inspiration from traditions, incorporating a narrative style akin to ' storytelling approach, which emphasized personal, evocative tales of everyday emotion. Starr recalled the creation as a spontaneous moment at home, where he experimented on the piano with simple chords until the melody and words emerged naturally: "I wrote ‘Don’t Pass Me By’ when I was sitting round at home... I was just sitting at home alone and ‘Don’t Pass Me By’ arrived." He completed the song by June 1968, presenting it to the band just before his temporary departure from The Beatles in August amid growing tensions, rejoining them the following month to continue work on the White Album.

Lyrics and Musical Style

The lyrics of "Don't Pass Me By" revolve around a narrator's anxious anticipation of a lover's arrival, capturing a sense of romantic uncertainty and longing. The two verses depict the listening intently for footsteps on the drive and waiting by the door for a knock that never comes, culminating in the poignant question, "Does it mean you don't love me any more?" This imagery evokes isolation, as the narrator is left in solitary vigil, marked by the ticking clock on the mantel shelf, heightening the emotional tension of abandonment. The chorus serves as a direct plea for reassurance, repeating the lines "Don't pass me by, don't make me cry, don't make me blue / 'Cause you know, darling, I love only you," which underscore vulnerability through simple, heartfelt declarations of devotion and fear of loss. These lyrics reflect a thematic emphasis on emotional fragility and the pain of potential rejection, distinguishing Ringo Starr's songwriting with its straightforward, confessional tone that contrasts the more abstract or ironic styles often found in Lennon-McCartney compositions. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the narrator's desperation, portraying isolation not as abstract despair but as a tangible, everyday ache rooted in unfulfilled promises. Musically, "Don't Pass Me By" adopts a country-western structure in 4/4 time, drawing from American folk traditions through its narrative form and twangy . The song is built on a simple primarily using three chords—I (C), IV (F), and V (G7)—in the key of , creating a bluesy, repetitive framework that mirrors the lyrics' cyclical worry, such as the pattern C–F–G7–F–C in the verses and chorus. This straightforward , occasionally varied with a Dm7 chord toward the end, evokes tropes of lost love while maintaining an accessible, rhythmic drive. Starr's drumming provides a steady, emphatic pulse with shuffle patterns and fills that highlight his percussive style, propelling the track's bouncy yet melancholic feel and integrating seamlessly with the country-folk vibe. A prominent solo by violinist Jack Fallon midway through adds a rustic, wailing quality reminiscent of . These elements collectively position the song as a unique outlier in the ' catalog, blending Starr's personal voice with genre influences for a lighthearted yet poignant exploration of heartache.

Recording and Production

Studio Sessions

The recording sessions for "Don't Pass Me By" commenced on 5 June 1968 at (now ) in , during the early stages of production for The Beatles' double album later known as the White Album. The rhythm track was recorded in three takes in Studio Three under the working title "Ringo's Tune (Untitled)," with on piano and on drums. These sessions unfolded amid escalating tensions within the band, stemming from creative differences and personal strains following their retreat in earlier that year. Work continued the next day, 6 June 1968, in Studio Two, now under the title "This Is Some Friendly," where Starr added two sets of lead vocals (including an audible count-in), McCartney overdubbed a part, and the pair recorded temporary backing vocals. This marked the initial completion of the basic structure by mid-June, with the title restored to "Don't Pass Me By" by 12 July. On 12 July 1968 in Studio Two, further overdubs included additional bass by McCartney, by Starr, and a country-style solo by Jack Fallon, enhancing the song's rustic texture over a 12-bar structure. The production employed EMI's four-track recording format, with the track proceeding at a of approximately 85 beats per minute.

Overdubs and Final Mix

On 22 July 1968, a short introduction was overdubbed and edited from 45 seconds to eight seconds, while an unused orchestral segment arranged by was recorded (later released as "A Beginning" on ). The refinement culminated on 11 October 1968, with the completion of the mono and stereo mixes in Studio Two. The mono mix runs for 3:46 and is faster than the stereo version (3:51), featuring more improvisation in the fade-out. Starr also added sleigh bells and additional percussion during the sessions. This balanced the track's homemade charm with professional polish for inclusion on the album.

Release and Personnel

Album Context and Release

"Don't Pass Me By" appears as the sixth track on side two of ' double album The Beatles, commonly known as the White Album, which was released on 22 November 1968 in the United Kingdom and 25 November 1968 in the United States by . The song marked Ringo Starr's debut as a composer on a Beatles album, preceding his later original contribution "" on Abbey Road in 1969. The White Album achieved immediate commercial success, debuting at number one on the and spending seven weeks at the top position, while in the United States it reached number one on the and held the spot for nine non-consecutive weeks. "Don't Pass Me By" was not released as a single, consistent with the album's format as a comprehensive collection without extracted singles, unlike the concurrent "" single from the same recording sessions. Subsequent reissues have preserved and expanded access to the track. The 50th-anniversary editions, released on 9 November 2018, included remixed stereo and versions of the album alongside three discs of outtakes and Esher demos, featuring alternate takes such as early acoustic versions and session jams related to various tracks. ' catalog, including the White Album, became available on major streaming platforms starting 24 December 2015, broadening global accessibility to "Don't Pass Me By" in digital formats.

Musicians and Credits

The musicians on "Don't Pass Me By" include on lead vocals, drums, piano, sleigh bells, and additional percussion. contributed piano, bass guitar, and drums. The track features a solo by Jack Fallon, who received no credit on the original but was later acknowledged in detailed recording histories. Production was overseen by as the primary producer. Engineering duties were handled by during initial sessions and for later overdubs and mixing. These contributions were compiled during recording sessions held on 5 and 6 June, and 12 and 22 July 1968 at Studios in .

Reception and Legacy

Critical Response

Upon its release in 1968, "Don't Pass Me By" received mixed responses from contemporary critics, often highlighted for its distinctive stylistic elements within the eclectic landscape of (also known as the White Album). Record Mirror praised the track's "carnival atmosphere" and its "'gay Paree' sound," attributing the latter to the French-inspired solo that added a whimsical, European flair to the arrangement. In contrast, Rolling Stone's described it as a "" with country-and-western influences, noting its lighthearted vibe as a to the album's heavier material, though he deemed it "weak" compared to standout tracks like "." Retrospective analyses have generally warmed to the song, emphasizing Ringo Starr's authentic songwriting voice as a key strength. AllMusic's review of the White Album calls it a "delight," portraying the "lumbering country-carnival stomp" as an endearing showcase of Starr's personality and his first original composition for the band. Beatles scholar Ian MacDonald, in his seminal analysis Revolution in the Head, critiques the track as "simplistic" in structure and lyrics but acknowledges its "rough charm," viewing it as a sincere, unpretentious contribution that fits the album's democratic ethos. Over time, perceptions of "Don't Pass Me By" have evolved from early dismissals as mere filler—exemplified by its initial lukewarm reception amid the White Album's ambitious sprawl—to modern appreciation for its role in broadening the ' songwriting credits beyond Lennon and McCartney. This shift underscores a growing recognition of how Starr's inclusion helped "democratize" the group's creative process during a period of internal tension. The song received no major awards, but it has earned frequent nods in 2020s rankings of underrated tracks, such as NME's 2023 list, which hails it as a "long underrated songwriting debut" that holds its own on the double album.

Cover Versions and Influence

The song "Don't Pass Me By" has been covered by numerous artists across genres, showcasing its versatility from its original country-tinged rock roots. delivered a gritty rock rendition on their 1988 album Open All Night, infusing the track with high-energy guitar riffs and a edge; it was released as a single. In the jam-band scene, performed it live during their Halloween 1994 show at Glens Falls Civic Center, treating the White Album as a musical costume with an extended improvisational take led by bassist on vocals. , known for his style, included a live version in his 2004 performance with Heavy Friends at pub in , emphasizing and wry delivery. Other notable interpretations include bluegrass adaptations, such as General Store's instrumental -driven arrangement on their self-titled 2005 album, highlighting the song's rustic fiddle hook. The track has influenced subsequent generations of drummer-songwriters by demonstrating that percussionists could contribute original compositions to major rock acts. While direct samples in hip-hop are rare, the song's melodic structure has appeared in underground mixes during the , reflecting its enduring appeal in remixing culture. Culturally, "Don't Pass Me By" has appeared in tribute events and parodies. continues to perform it regularly in his All-Starr Band tours, such as the 2018 European leg where it was paired with "Yellow Submarine" for audiences, underscoring its staple status in his live repertoire. In recent years, the song maintains relevance through its inclusion in 2024 streaming playlists curated for and deep cuts on platforms like , alongside fan-generated AI-assisted that experiment with modern production while preserving the original's charm.

"A Beginning" Overview

"A Beginning" is a short instrumental orchestral piece composed and arranged by specifically as a potential introduction to Ringo Starr's "Don't Pass Me By" on ' 1968 album , commonly known as the White Album. Recorded on 22 July 1968 at EMI Studios (now ) in , the track features a harp-led ensemble with flutes and strings, creating a delicate, baroque-inspired lasting 0:50 in its released form. The composition's style evokes an elegant, almost whimsical transition, blending symphonic elements to bridge into the country-folk vibe of the subsequent song, though it ultimately served a different purpose. Martin scored the piece using the same orchestra that performed on the album's closing track "Good Night," highlighting his role in providing orchestral flourishes amid the band's diverse experimental recordings during the White Album sessions. Originally intended solely as an intro and thus not designed as a standalone work, "A Beginning" remained unused and was first released separately on the 1996 compilation Anthology 3. It was also included in the 2018 50th anniversary super deluxe edition of as "A Beginning (Take 4) / Don't Pass Me By (Take 7)," and remastered in the 2025 Anthology Collection. This decision reflected the White Album's eclectic structure, where brief interstitial pieces added to its mosaic-like quality without adhering to conventional song formats. As one of Martin's few credited compositions on the White Album—alongside his arrangement for "Good Night"—the track exemplifies his contributions to the project's sonic variety, drawing from classical influences to complement the ' rawer rock and folk elements.

"A Beginning" Personnel

"A Beginning" was entirely the creation of producer , with no involvement from any members in its composition, arrangement, or performance. wrote and scored the brief orchestral piece, utilizing an ensemble of unnamed session musicians who provided the instrumentation: twelve violins, three violas, one , three flutes, one , one horn, one , and one . The part, arranged by , contributed to the track's ethereal, introductory mood, evoking a sense of gentle anticipation before transitioning into Ringo Starr's "Don't Pass Me By." The recording session occurred on 22 July 1968 at EMI Studios in , where served as producer and engineered the basic tracks. For the piece's release on the 1996 compilation , oversaw production.

References

  1. https://www.thebeatles.com/dont-pass-me
  2. https://www.beatlesbible.com/songs/dont-pass-me-by/
  3. https://www.beatlesbible.com/1964/07/14/radio-top-gear/
  4. https://americansongwriter.com/5-of-the-beatles-most-country-songs/
  5. https://www.beatlesbible.com/1968/06/05/recording-dont-pass-me-by/
  6. https://genius.com/The-beatles-dont-pass-me-by-lyrics
  7. https://americansongwriter.com/the-meaning-behind-the-first-song-ringo-starr-wrote-for-the-beatles-dont-pass-me-by/
  8. https://psyartjournal.com/article/show/nbsp-the_space_between_us_all_a_developmental
  9. https://www.icce.rug.nl/~soundscapes/DATABASES/AWP/dpmb.shtml
  10. https://musictales.club/article/beatles-songs-composed-just-three-primary-chords
  11. https://www.goldminemag.com/articles/backstage-pass-it-dont-come-easy-for-ringo-starr/
  12. https://www.beatlesbible.com/albums/the-beatles-white-album/
  13. https://www.beatlesbible.com/1968/06/06/recording-mixing-dont-pass-me-by/
  14. https://www.beatlesbible.com/1968/07/12/recording-mixing-dont-pass-me-by-ob-la-di-ob-la-da-revolution/
  15. https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/session/recording-dont-pass-me-by-good-night/
  16. https://www.thebeatles.com/beatles-white-album-tracklisting
  17. https://www.beatlesbible.com/1968/11/22/uk-lp-the-beatles-white-album/
  18. https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/the-beatles-the-beatles-white-album/
  19. https://www.beatlesbible.com/2018/09/24/beatles-white-album-50th-anniversary-box-set-remixes-demos-outtakes/
  20. https://abcnews.go.com/Business/beatles-long-join-streaming-music-world/story?id=35928141
  21. http://www.beatlesebooks.com/dont-pass-me-by
  22. https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/song/dont-pass-me-by/
  23. https://www.nme.com/features/the-beatles-every-song-ranked-3121214
  24. https://phish.net/song/dont-pass-me-by/history
  25. http://www.jh3.com/robyn/base/gig.asp?chubb=1263
  26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46RUzf9wl_k
  27. https://open.spotify.com/track/4eeCQtgohd0nLeI2t5XgGo
  28. https://www.beatlesbible.com/songs/a-beginning/
  29. https://www.beatlesbible.com/1968/07/22/recording-a-beginning-good-night/
  30. https://www.loudersound.com/features/10-revolutionary-recordings-by-george-martin
  31. https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/album/the-beatles-anthology-collection-2025/
  32. https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/song/a-beginning/
  33. https://www.discogs.com/release/4064651-The-Beatles-Anthology-3
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