‘It Don't Come Easy’ is a song by English rock musician Ringo Starr that was released as a non-album single in April 1971. It was produced by Starr's former Beatles bandmate George Harrison, who also helped write the song, although only Starr is credited. Recording for the track took place in March 1970 at Trident Studios in London, with overdubs added in October. Starr and Harrison performed the song together in August 1971 at Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh shows in New York City, a recording from which was released on the live album of the same name. Starr has continued to perform it in subsequent decades with his All-Starr Band.
Apart from in North America, where ‘Beaucoups of Blues’ had been a single in October 1970, ‘It Don't Come Easy’ was Starr's first single release since the break-up of the Beatles. Heavily promoted by Apple Records, the song was a commercial success, peaking at number 1 in Canada and number 4 on singles charts in the UK and the US. It was critically well received on release and remains one of his most popular hits as a solo artist.
Ringo Starr began writing ‘It Don't Come Easy’ in late 1968, having recently completed his first composition, ‘Don't Pass Me By’. When referring to his early songwriting efforts in a 2003 interview, he described himself as "great at writing two verses and a chorus" but often unable to develop the ideas further. Although Starr received sole writing credit for ‘It Don't Come Easy’, Beatles historian Bruce Spizer writes that he had "substantial, but uncredited, assistance" from his bandmate George Harrison. In author Robert Rodriguez's description, the official songwriting credit was long thought to be "bogus" and, notwithstanding Starr's involvement, a sign of Harrison's "great generosity" in wanting to help the drummer establish himself independently of the Beatles.
The single was heavily promoted by Apple. It peaked at number 4 on the UK Singles Chart and number 5 on Melody Maker's national chart. In the US, the song reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the charts compiled by Cash Box (for one week) and Record World. It was also number 1 on the RPM 100 in Canada and a top-five hit in many other countries around the world. Starr's single outsold those released by his former bandmates around this time: Lennon's ‘Power to the People’, Paul McCartney's ‘Another Day’ and Harrison's ‘Bangla Desh’. Fans' attention was also drawn to the B-side, to which Lennon and Harrison had contributed, as Starr offered his view of how likely each of the other ex-Beatles was to make music with him again. The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on 3 August, signifying US sales of 1 million.
Label – Apple
Songwriter – Ringo Starr
Producer – George Harrison
SONG LYRICS
[Intro]It don't come easy
You know it don't come easy
It don't come easy
You know it don't come easy
[Chorus 1]
Got to pay your dues if you wanna sing the blues
And you know it don't come easy
You don't have to shout or leap about
You can even play them easy
[Verse 1]
Forget about the past and all your sorrows
The future won't last
It will soon be over tomorrow
[Chorus 2]
I don't ask for much, I only want trust
And you know it don't come easy
And this love of mine keeps growing all the time
And you know it just ain't easy
[Verse 2]
Open up your heart, let's come together
Use a little love
And we will make it work out better
[Chorus 1]
Got to pay your dues if you wanna sing the blues
And you know it don't come easy
You don't have to shout or leap about
You can even play them easy
[Verse 3]
Peace, remember peace is how we make it
Here within your reach
If you're big enough to take it
[Chorus 2]
I don't ask for much, I only want trust
And you know it don't come easy
And this love of mine keeps growing all the time
And you know it don't come easy