"One of my earlier memories of music is my mom sitting at the piano late at night, playing us to sleep with Beethoven's 'Moonlight Sonata,'" Marc says. With a father who preached and led worship and a mother who led the church choir and played piano, Marc was raised in a music-intensive environment.
His parents instilled a love for music in him that followed him throughout his childhood through eight years of piano lessons, through Disney duets he would sing with friends, through hours he spent alone teaching himself guitar all the way to a small college in Saskatchewan, where he formed the band Downhere with his roommate Jason Germain and a few close friends in 1999.
"Our friendship was always based around music," Marc says. "We really hit it off musically... we realized we shared a lot of the same taste in music, while also bringing different influences."
Downhere developed their sound while touring on behalf of the college, which would send them out on the road with production, lighting, sound, and even a vehicle and trailer. After four years of college, the band left their Canadian roots behind and relocated to Nashville, TN, where they signed with Word Records. Downhere has since gone on to win multiple Juno Awards and a Dove Award. They have released 10 albums, including their latest release, On the Altar of Love, which reflects a different approach to songwriting than their previous releases.
"For me it used to be all about being musically complex and artsy," Marc says. "And then I had a real perspective-shifting experience. At one of our shows there was a little girl standing front-center with her mother. When I said the next song was "How Many Kings," her face lit up as she looked up at her mom and grabbed her hand. She sang along to every word. I thought to myself, 'I've got to write more songs like THAT.'"
In September 2011, Marc entered a competition to join Roger Taylor, original drummer for the legendary rock band Queen, on stage for the Queen Extravaganza Live Tour. Throughout his career with Downhere, concertgoers have often approached Marc insisting he sounds just like Freddie Mercury, legendary singer of the rock band Queen.
"I don't think I've done a show in the last five or six years where five to ten people haven't come up to me and said, 'Hey, anyone ever tell you that you sound like Queen?' or 'that guy from Queen' or 'Eddie Mercury,'" he says laughingly. "In the list of great rock signers, he is considered one of the best if not the best and it's always just a huge compliment when people tell that to me."
It seems that Downhere concertgoers aren't alone in their thinking, as Marc's entry for the Queen Extravaganza contest, a video of Marc singing along with the Queen classic "Somebody to Love," generated more millions of views on YouTube after being up for only a few days.
Whether it's onstage with Downhere or on a computer screen, Marc has a message and a voice that has captured millions for the past decade. Through music, Marc is after the one thing people are always looking for a connection.
"There is always time for exploring new soundscapes and interesting arrangements…but the song has to connect with people or there's not much point to it. I'm really trying to stay in that magic equilibrium now as I write, the union of intriguing artistry combined with strong human connection."
Ringo Starr
Marc Martel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey hey hey
Can you deal with the rock and roll you're dishing out
Can you take up the roll that fame has bought you now
Suits you but you're to goody shoes to wear it
Feels good but you can't bring yourself to swear it cuz
You ain't no Ringo Starr
You got the rhythm but you got no heart
Everybody knows you but you don't know who you are
You ain't no... Ringo Starr
Hey hey hey
You found a message in a bottle
You can't admit you own
You got your panties all in a bunch about your comfort zone
Hold up you could be making history or
Close up you're gonna need 'em in that legal charge
You ain't no Ringo Starr
You got the rhythm but you got no heart
You ain't no classic rock
Everybody knows you but you don't know who you are
You ain't no Ringo
You ain't no Ringo Starr
That ain't who you are
Star with girls and fancy cars
But you just don't know where you're ever gonna go
No you just don't know it you're never gonna go
No ya just don't know it cuz
You keep on believing that
You ain't no
Bang bang that drum 'till you believe it son
Bang bang that drum until you wear it son
Bang bang that drum until you own it son
Bang bang that drum' till you become it
You ain't no Ringo Starr
You got the rhythm but you got no heart
You ain't no classic rock
Everybody knows you but you don't know who you are
You ain't no Ringo
You ain't no Ringo
You ain't no Ringo Starr
The song "Ringo Starr" by Marc Martel is a commentary on the nature of fame and success in the music industry. The lyrics imply that the subject of the song has achieved a certain level of fame and commercial success, but lacks the authenticity and heart that true rock and roll icons possess. The chorus repeats the titular phrase "You ain't no Ringo Starr," which serves as a shorthand for the idea that the subject of the song is not a true rock star, but rather a poser or imitator.
The lyrics also touch on themes of identity and the pressure to conform to certain expectations in order to achieve success. The lines "You found a message in a bottle / You can't admit you own" suggest that the subject of the song may have found inspiration or guidance from their musical heroes, but is reluctant to fully embrace those influences for fear of being seen as derivative or unoriginal. The song seems to be urging the subject to embrace their own unique voice and perspective, rather than trying to fit into the mold of a stereotypical rock star.
Overall, "Ringo Starr" is a scathing critique of the music industry and the often superficial nature of fame and success. It encourages listeners to aspire to more than just fame and fortune, but to seek out authenticity and true creative expression.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey hey hey
Introduces the song with a simple greeting
Can you deal with the rock and roll you're dishing out
Asks if the listener is capable of handling the intense rock and roll music that the singer is playing
Can you take up the roll that fame has bought you now
Questions if the listener is capable of handling the responsibilities and expectations that come with being famous
Suits you but you're too goody shoes to wear it
Says that fame and success may look good on the listener, but they may not have the personality or attitude to handle it
Feels good but you can't bring yourself to swear it cuz
Suggests that the listener may feel good about the success, but they cannot fully embrace it because it goes against their values or beliefs
You ain't no Ringo Starr
States that the listener is not like Ringo Starr, who was a famous drummer for the Beatles and had talent as well as a distinct style
You got the rhythm but you got no heart
Admits that while the listener may be able to keep the beat and play music, they lack the passion and emotion necessary to truly become a great musician
You ain't no classic rock
Declares that the listener is not a true classic rock artist, who are known for their longevity and impact on the music industry
Everybody knows you but you don't know who you are
Points out that the listener may be popular and well known, but they have not yet figured out their true identity or purpose as an artist
You found a message in a bottle
Describes how the listener may have discovered their talent or passion for music in a surprising or unexpected way
You can't admit you own
Suggests that the listener may have trouble accepting their own success or acknowledging their own talent
You got your panties all in a bunch about your comfort zone
Comments on how the listener may be overly concerned with maintaining their current level of success or routine, and is therefore unwilling to try new things
Hold up you could be making history or
Encourages the listener to pause and consider their potential impact on the music industry or even history itself
Close up you're gonna need 'em in that legal charge
Warns the listener that they may face legal challenges or complications if they continue to pursue their music career without focusing on their talent or reputation
Star with girls and fancy cars
References the common perception of famous rock stars as living a luxurious lifestyle, often with material possessions such as fancy cars and relationships with attractive women
But you just don't know where you're ever gonna go
Highlights the uncertainty surrounding the listener's future and what their music career may ultimately become
No you just don't know it you're never gonna go
States that the listener may not fully realize or accept the limitations they have in their music career or what they may need to do to truly succeed
Bang bang that drum 'till you believe it son
Encourages the listener to practice and play music until they truly believe in their own talent and potential for success
Bang bang that drum until you wear it son
Encourages the listener to practice and play music until they become confident and comfortable with their own style and sound
Bang bang that drum until you own it son
Encourages the listener to practice and play music until they truly feel a sense of ownership and pride in their talent and work
Bang bang that drum' till you become it
Encourages the listener to keep practicing and playing music until they fully become the musician they want to be
You ain't no Ringo
Reiterates that the listener is not like Ringo Starr, who is considered a true classic rock icon and great drummer
You ain't no Ringo Starr
Repeats the previous line for emphasis and to bring the song to a close
Contributed by Muhammad H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.