Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
This is another one of those songs that I always direct Ringo naysayers to. People that haven’t really done enough listening or homework like to talk about how Ringo has no technique. Sure, he’s never had highly developed technique, but there’s no denying that he spent some time in his formative years getting his hands in good enough shape to play some of these grooves. This is a perfect example of that.
It’s widely known that he based this groove off of Milt Turner’s drum part from the great Ray Charles tune, “What’d I say.” It’s a Mambo based groove with some pretty slick bell of the ride cymbal action. Not something that one can easily play without having developed some technique. Ringo’s playing on this is so smooth and seamless; going from the Latin style verse groove to the more straight forward Rock/R&B chorus sections. And, yes, he did indeed play cross stick through this whole song. However, he would play it differently live. Often completely eliminating the cross stick and just playing back beats on the snare. I’m sure this had much to do with the fact that those cross sticks would not be heard at all at that time in a live setting.
Drums:
1961 Ludwig Super Classic
14x22, 9x13, 16x16
1962 Ludwig Jazz Festival 5.5x14
Cymbals:
18” A Zildjian Crash 50’s
15” A Zildjian Hi Hats 60’s
20” A Zildjian Ride 50’s
This is another one of those songs that I always direct Ringo naysayers to. People that haven’t really done enough listening or homework like to talk about how Ringo has no technique. Sure, he’s never had highly developed technique, but there’s no denying that he spent some time in his formative years getting his hands in good enough shape to play some of these grooves. This is a perfect example of that.
It’s widely known that he based this groove off of Milt Turner’s drum part from the great Ray Charles tune, “What’d I say.” It’s a Mambo based groove with some pretty slick bell of the ride cymbal action. Not something that one can easily play without having developed some technique. Ringo’s playing on this is so smooth and seamless; going from the Latin style verse groove to the more straight forward Rock/R&B chorus sections. And, yes, he did indeed play cross stick through this whole song. However, he would play it differently live. Often completely eliminating the cross stick and just playing back beats on the snare. I’m sure this had much to do with the fact that those cross sticks would not be heard at all at that time in a live setting.
Drums:
1961 Ludwig Super Classic
14x22, 9x13, 16x16
1962 Ludwig Jazz Festival 5.5x14
Cymbals:
18” A Zildjian Crash 50’s
15” A Zildjian Hi Hats 60’s
20” A Zildjian Ride 50’s
