On his 1998 album Vertical Man, Ringo Starr included “Breathless,” a track that feels like an open love letter — tender, playful, and deeply personal. Written for his wife Barbara Bach, it captures Ringo not as the world-famous Beatle, but as a man overwhelmed by gratitude for the love that steadied his life.
From its opening moments, the song is bright and buoyant, driven by jangling guitars and a groove that feels both relaxed and joyful. Ringo’s voice, never about virtuosity but always about sincerity, carries the lyric with warmth: “Every time I see you, it leaves me breathless.” There’s nothing complicated about the words — their strength lies in their simplicity. They sound less like crafted poetry and more like a spontaneous confession, the kind that comes straight from the heart.
Musically, “Breathless” has the kind of charm Ringo has made his signature: unpretentious, fun, and heartfelt. The arrangement is lively but not overdone, full of color without losing intimacy. You can almost imagine it being played in a room full of friends, with smiles and laughter surrounding every note.
What makes the song so touching is its context. By the late 1990s, Ringo had gone through the storms of fame, addiction, and personal struggle. In Barbara, he had found a partner who gave him balance, stability, and joy — and this song reflects that gratitude. Unlike the universal themes of his earlier hits, “Breathless” is intensely personal, a love song that feels written for one person, but that resonates because of its honesty.
In the end, “Breathless” isn’t meant to dazzle with complexity. Its beauty lies in its openness — in Ringo Starr’s willingness to say plainly and joyfully what love can do to a person. It’s a reminder that the simplest words, when spoken with sincerity, can leave us breathless too.