A song in The Beatles’ remarkable catalog that deserves more love is “Flying.” It is one of the few Beatles recordings credited to all four members and one of their rare instrumental tracks. Tucked away on Magical Mystery Tour, it is a little gem that has always captivated me.
“Flying” does not sound like a typical Beatles song, yet there is something unmistakably Beatles about its dreamy atmosphere and irresistible groove. It reminds me of just how tight these four musicians were as a band. They knew how to listen to one another and how to give a song exactly what it needed.
What really gets me every time is Ringo Starr’s drumming.
There is a wonderful little drum break just before the Mellotron takes flight. It interrupts the gentle, hypnotic groove with a few perfectly placed taps on the snare. I have always imagined that moment as a transmission from air traffic control announcing, “You are cleared for takeoff.”
It is subtle, gentle, and beautifully timed. Ringo does not overwhelm the moment. He simply gives the music a little nudge, and suddenly we are soaring.
Then comes another drum break, just before those glorious wordless vocals enter. I imagine another transmission from the cockpit announcing, “We are going to ascend even higher.” Ringo’s playing is steady, assured, and wonderfully precise. Those few beats help carry the song into another dimension as the voices echo the Mellotron melody.
I absolutely love these moments. They are small details in a recording that lasts just over two minutes, yet they reveal so much about Ringo’s musical instincts. His drumming is never about showing off. It is about listening, feeling the groove, and knowing exactly when to make his presence felt.
That is part of Ringo’s genius. He understood that serving the song mattered more than filling every available space with another drumbeat.
Every time I listen to “Flying,” I find myself waiting for those little drum breaks. They never fail to bring a smile to my face. Ringo’s playing reminds me that sometimes the smallest musical moments can leave the biggest impression.
What a drummer. What a band. What a wonderful little Beatles song.
