Octopus’s Garden (Starkey)

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Octopus’s Garden (Starkey)

Ringo was inspired to write Octopus’s Garden by a boating trip during which the captain told him all he knew about octopuses, after offering him some to eat. Ringo was fascinated with the fact that the animals build gardens out of shiny stones and other items.

Quotes

“I wrote ‘Octopus’s Garden’ in Sardinia. Peter Sellers had lent us his yacht and we went out for the day. I stayed out on deck with [the captain] and we talked about octopuses. He told me that they hang out in their caves and they go around the seabed finding shiny stones and tin cans and bottles to put in front of their cave like a garden. I thought this was fabulous, because at the time I just wanted to be under the sea too. A couple of tokes later with the guitar – and we had ‘Octopus’s Garden’!” – Ringo Starr, from Anthology

“It’s a Ringalong-singalong!” – John Lennon

“I’ve heard a few people who are big kids saying it’s their favorite track on the album. I mean, most people say, ‘Oh it’s Ringo.’ But it’s great that Ringo should do it. It’s just like a country and western tune…and it’s a happy tune. I like what hes saying about ‘resting our head on the sea bed,’ ‘we would be warm below the storm.” – George Harrison

Personnel

  • Ringo Starr – lead vocal, drums, percussion, sound effects
  • George Harrison – backing vocal, lead guitar
  • Paul McCartney – backing vocal, bass, piano
  • John Lennon – backing vocal, rhythm guitar

Release history

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