Ringo's new song out today, plus details on his new EP: "Zoom In"

Ringo Starr has a new song out this week, "Here's To the Night," which you can hear below. A ballad, the track features an all-Starr chorus of guest vocalist joining in, including Paul McCartney, Joe Walsh, Ben Harper, Dave Grohl, Sheryl Crow, Chris Stapleton, Steve Lukather, Jenny Lewis, Lenny Kravitz, Corinne Bailey Rae, Eric Burton, Yola and FINNEAS.

Instrumentalists on the song include Nathan East (bass), Steve Lukather (guitar), Bruce Sugar (synth guitar), Benmont Tench (piano), Charlie Bisharat (violin), Jacob Braun (cello) and Jim Cox (synth strings).

I must confess, the track, written by Diane Warren, doesn't do much for me. There's no life or enthusiasm in Ringo's vocal and, despite all the folks singing along, isn't that catchy or melodic, either. It's a repetitive dirge that doesn't match the lyrics, which are intended to be uplifting and inspirational. 

But maybe some of the other tracks Ringo has coming out on Zoom In, a new EP set for March 19 release on digital, CD and vinyl. You can pre-order it via Amazon here.

Here are details on the new tune and EP via the official media release:

As this crazy year comes to a close, Ringo is offering a song of peace, love and friendship – “Here’s To The Nights” available today as a single, (with the video coming Friday December 18). Written by Diane Warren, Ringo is joined by his friends, some longtime and some new, including: Paul McCartney, Joe Walsh, Ben Harper, Dave Grohl, Sheryl Crow, Chris Stapleton, Steve Lukather, Jenny Lewis, Lenny Kravitz, Corinne Bailey Rae, Eric Burton, Yola, and FINNEAS.

 “When Diane presented this song to me I loved the sentiment of it,” said Ringo. “This is the kind of song we all want to sing along to, and it was so great how many wonderful musicians joined in. I wanted it out in time for New Years because it feels like a good song to end a tough year on. So here’s to the nights we won’t remember and the friends we won’t forget – and I am wishing everyone peace and love for 2021.”

The song is the lead single from his forthcoming EP, titled Zoom In, which was recorded at Starr’s home studio between April- October 2020. For this EP, Starr collaborated with songwriters and producers including Jeff Zobar who penned the title track, “Zoom In, Zoom Out” during the pandemic, and features Robbie Krieger on guitar; Sam Hollander who wrote and produced “Teach Me To Tango” – sending Ringo a nearly completed track onto which he added vocals and, of course, drums; Ringo co-wrote “Waiting for the Tide to Turn” with his engineer Bruce Sugar, adding Tony Chen and his extensive reggae roots; and “Not Enough Love In the World” which was written by long time All Starr member Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams (full credits below). 

Taking every precaution, Starr invited only a few musicians at various times to his home studio to record the music. Joining Starr were musicians Nathan East (bass), Steve Lukather (guitar), Bruce Sugar (synth guitar), Benmont Tench (piano), Charlie Bisharat (violin), Jacob Braun (cello), and Jim Cox (string arrangements and synth strings).

RINGO STARR - ZOOM IN [Credits]

Produced by: Ringo Starr
Co-Produced, Recorded and Mixed by: Bruce Sugar
Recorded at: Roccabella West Beverly Hills, CA.
Mastered by: Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering

"Zoom in Zoom Out"
Ringo Starr : Drums percussion and vocals
Robby Krieger: Guitar
Jeff Silbar: Bass, Guitar
Benmont Tench: Piano, Organ
Amy Keys BGV
Windy Wagner BGV

"Here's to the Nights"
Ringo Starr: Drums and Vocals
Steve Lukather: Guitar
Nathan East: Bass
Benmont Tench: Piano
Bruce Sugar: Synth Guitar
Jim Cox: String Arrangement and Synth Strings
Charlie Bisharat: Violin
Jacob Braun: Cello
Guest Vocals: Paul McCartney, Joe Walsh, Ben Harper, Dave Grohl, Sheryl Crow, Chris Stapleton, Steve Lukather, Jenny Lewis, Lenny Kravitz, Corinne Bailey Rae, Eric Burton, Yola, and FINNEAS.

"Waiting For The Tide To Turn"
Ringo Starr: Drums and Vocals
Nathan East: Bass
Bruce Sugar: Keyboards
Tony Chen: Guitar
Ed Roth: Hammond B3
Zelma Davis: BGV

"Not Enough Love in the World"
Ringo Starr: Drums,Percussion, vocals
Steve Lukather: Guitars BGV
Joseph Williams: Keyboards, BGV
Arrangement by Joseph Williams

"Teach Me To Tango"
Ringo Starr – Percussion, Vocals, 1 drum fill
Grant Michaels - Keyboards
Josh Edmondson- Guitar
Sean Gould - Guitar
Kavah Rastegar - Bass
Candace Devine - BGV
Zelma Davis - BGV
Charity Daw - BGV
James King - Horns
Blair Scinta - Drums
Hal Rosenfeld - Percussion
Sam Hollander – BGV
Produced by Sam Hollander
Co Produced by Grant Michaels
Mixed by Chris Dugan