Ringo Starr got the idea for the song when he was on a boat owned by comedian Peter Sellers in Sardinia in 1968. He ordered fish and chips for lunch, but instead of fish he got squid. It was the first time he'd eaten squid, and he said, "It was OK. A bit rubbery. Tasted like chicken." The boat's captain told Ringo how octopuses travel along the sea bed picking up stones and shiny objects to build gardens. The "Let It Be" movie had a scene where George Harrison is shown helping Ringo Starr work the song out on piano.