"I Saw Her Standing There"
The groove in “I Saw Her Standing There” is driven by a strong backbeat, with the snare anchoring beats 2 and 4. Unlike “Boys,” however, the kick drum articulates only beat 1 (not on beat 3) in the first measure, with no kick in the second measure, creating a two-bar rhythmic phrase. This creates a slightly lighter feel in the middle of the measure while still keeping the downbeat on beat 1 very prominent. This two bar phrase gives the groove forward momentum and emphasizes the drive of the bass and rhythm guitar.
At the B section (measure 13), the groove shifts. Ringo moves to a beat that emphasizes steady quarter notes on the snare, striking on every beat before falling back into the backbeat groove. The bass drum plays on the “and” of 4 every other measure, a subtle push that sets up the downbeat of the next bar. This section adds urgency and marks a clear change in the song’s texture.
The transition into this new groove is signaled by a short, effective fill that leads out of the 12-bar form. The fill follows a “short–short–long” rhythmic pattern—two sixteenth notes followed by an eighth note on the snare. This pattern both sets up the quarter-note groove and acts as a cue to the rest of the band, marking the end of the previous section.
Ringo’s playing here demonstrates his ability to make small changes in kick placement and snare articulation feel like a significant shift in energy. Even within a straightforward rock and roll framework, his choices add variety and help define the song’s structure.