About the Song
A splash of innocence, imagination, and joy—from the quiet Beatle who just wanted to be under the sea.
Tucked gently into the middle of The Beatles’ 1969 album Abbey Road, “Octopus’s Garden” stands as one of the band’s most lighthearted and beloved moments. Written and sung by Ringo Starr, it’s only the second song he ever penned for the band—and yet, it’s become a classic in its own right, cherished for its childlike wonder, quirky charm, and genuine warmth.
Inspired by a real-life moment of curiosity, Ringo came up with the idea for the song while vacationing in Sardinia. After learning from a boat captain that octopuses gather stones and shiny objects to build underwater “gardens,” the image stuck with him. It was playful, peaceful—and strangely perfect for a man who, even at the height of Beatlemania, longed for simple things and calm waters.
The song’s melody is gentle and rolling, with George Harrison helping Ringo shape its final form. In fact, Harrison once said that “Octopus’s Garden” was one of Ringo’s best moments—and it shows. The arrangement features bubbling guitar lines, a relaxed rhythm, and underwater sound effects that make you feel like you’re floating along beside Ringo, escaping the noise and pressure of the world above.
“I’d like to be under the sea…”
It’s not just a line—it’s a longing. A wish for a place of quiet friendship, where “we would be warm, below the storm.”
In the broader story of Abbey Road, which contains heavier tracks like “Come Together” and “I Want You (She’s So Heavy),” “Octopus’s Garden” offers a moment of pure levity—a deep breath, a smile, a glimmer of Ringo’s gentle soul. And over the years, it’s become a favorite among children and adults alike—a song that proves simplicity, when heartfelt, can be just as powerful as poetry.
It’s not just a kid’s song. It’s a reminder that even in a world of chaos, we all need a place to feel safe, to laugh, and to dream—even if it’s just beneath the waves, in an octopus’s garden in the shade.