Crooked Boy is the fifth extended play (EP) by the English musician Ringo Starr, released on 26 April 2024. Linda Perry wrote and produced all four country music songs, with "February Sky" chosen as the lead single.

Crooked Boy
Official cover art
EP by
Released26 April 2024 (2024-04-26)
Studio
  • Greenleaf
  • Roccabella West
GenreCountry
Length12:13
ProducerLinda Perry
Ringo Starr chronology
Rewind Forward
(2023)
Crooked Boy
(2024)
Singles from Crooked Boy
  1. "February Sky"
    Released: 12 April 2024

Release and reception

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Ahead of the release of the EP, Starr and Perry appeared at an Amoeba Music in Hollywood. While there, Starr elaborated on the production of Crooked Boy, stating:

“We called her, and I asked her has she got a track, and she said, ‘yeah,’ and then I called her, and she said, ‘yeah’. And then she said, ‘Why don’t you let me do an EP on you?’ And I said, ‘yeah.’ And she’s done a great job.”

[1]

The EP also features guitarist Nick Valensi, primarily known as a member of The Strokes.[2] It was initially released as a limited edition coloured vinyl on Record Store Day 2024.[3] It was then released in digital format on April 26, 2024 and in CD and vinyl form on May 31.[4] The first single, February Sky, described as an 'uplifting song' by Rolling Stone while Starr personally referred to the song as 'great - very moody',[5] was released on April 12.[6] All tracks were written and produced by Linda Perry, with vocals and drums from Starr.[3] A tour with his All Starr Band is starting in the spring will continue in the fall.[7]

This EP is another foray into country music for the singer who previously issued Beaucoups of Blues in 1970. These new sessions paved the way to a future album of country songs to be tentatively released in October.[8][9]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Linda Perry

No.TitleLength
1."February Sky"3:18
2."Adeline"2:41
3."Gonna Need Someone"3:00
4."Crooked Boy"3:12
Total length:12:12

Personnel

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Credits adapted from the EP's liner notes.[10]

  • Ringo Starr – lead vocals and drums (all tracks)
  • Linda Perry – bass, guitar, and Hammond B-3 organ (1); acoustic guitar (2); backing vocals (1-3)
  • Chris Price – bass guitar (3, 4); keyboards and backing vocals (3)
  • Nick Valensi – guitar (all tracks)
  • Josh Gooch – guitar (all tracks)
  • Damon Fox – mellotron and keyboards (2)
  • Billy Mohler – bass guitar (2)
  • Eli Pearl – additional guitar (2)
  • Barclay Moffitt – saxophone (2, 4)
  • Paul Nelson – trombone (2, 4)
  • Aaron Janik – trumpet (2, 4)

Production

  • Linda Perry – production and engineering
  • Jim Schultz – mixing
  • Emily Lazar – mastering
  • Bruce Sugar – drum recording
  • Kii Arens – artwork
  • Harry Benson – photography

Charting history

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In the United Kingdom, the title track Crooked Boy entered Official Charts' Single Sales List at number 26, remaining on the chart for one week.

The song also reached number 2 on the Physical Singles Chart, remaining on the list for a total of eleven weeks. On the Vinyl Singles Chart, it peaked at 3rd, lasting a total of six weeks on that chart.[11]

Chart performance for Crooked Boy
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[12] 56

References

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  1. ^ Taysom, Joe (2024-04-19). "Ringo Starr describes collaborator as "the great songwriter"". Far Out Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  2. ^ "Ringo Starr Shares EP With The Strokes' Nick Valensi, Going Country Next". Stereogum. 2024-04-27. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  3. ^ a b Friedlander, Matt (2024-04-08). "Ringo Starr Shares News About the Lead Single from His Upcoming 'Crooked Boy' EP". American Songwriter. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  4. ^ Fuller, Eric. "Ringo Starr Is Both A Beatle And A Crooked Boy". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  5. ^ Zemler, Emily (2024-04-12). "Ringo Starr Looks for the Bright Side on Single 'February Sky'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  6. ^ Patrick, Holly (10 Apr 2024). "Ringo Starr announces first single from new EP 'Crooked Boy'". The Independent.
  7. ^ Lapierre, Magan (2024-04-18). "Ringo Starr Announces Fall North American Tour". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  8. ^ McIntyre, Hugh (February 7, 2024). "Ringo Starr Is Recording A Country Album". Forbes. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  9. ^ Ivie, Devon (May 18, 2024). "Ringo Starr Will Act Naturally for a Whole Album". Vulture. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  10. ^ Crooked Boy (LP liner notes). Ringo Starr. UMe/Universal Music Group. 2024. 602465142549.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ "CROOKED BOY". Official Charts. 2024-06-13. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  12. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Ringo Starr – Crooked Boy" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 July 2024.