Rick Springfield -

Rick Springfield (born Aug. 23, 1949) is an Australian singer, songwriter, and actor with a musical career that dates back to the late 1960s. He rose to prominence in his home country as one-fourth of the beat/psych combo Zoot.

In 1972, Springfield moved to the U.S. and launched a solo career with back-to-back albums on Capitol. By decade’s end, he parlayed his showbiz contacts into television roles, including that of Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital. With this newfound recognition, he topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981 with “Jessie’s Girl” and remained a chart mainstay through the first half of the eighties.

Background

Springfield was born Richard Lewis Springthorpe on August 23, 1949, in South Wentworthville, an outer western suburb of Sydney. His father, Norman James Springthorpe, was an Australian Army serviceman who moved the family to England for five years (1958–63) while stationed there. Rick took up guitar at age 13 and joined his first bands while in England.

Back in Australia, Springfield saw The Beatles at Melbourne’s Festival Hall in June 1964. At age 18, he joined the band Rockhouse, which changed its name to MPD Ltd and played in South Vietnam for Australian troops. Springfield and MPD drummer Danny Finley formed Wickedy Wak, which cut the 1969 Sunshine Records single “Billie’s Bikie Boys” (b/w “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”). It features backing vocals by Beeb Birtles, then bassist–singer of pop-rockers Zoot.

In September 1969, Springfield joined Zoot as guitarist and co-vocalist alongside Birtles and guitarist–singer Daryl Cotton. They scored hits with Rick’s “Hey Pinky,” an ode to their pink satin image, and a hard-rocking version on “Eleanor Rigby.” After their 1971 monster-psych single “Freak,” the band split. (Birtles formed Mississippi, followed by the long-running Little River Band).

Springfield debuted as a solo artist in October 1971 with the single “Speak to the Sky” (b/w “Why?”), released in Australia on Sparmac Records, founded by ex-singer Robie Porter, who produced and managed Springfield. After recording the rest of his debut album in London, Springfield moved to the U.S. in mid-1972.

Beginnings

Rick Springfield released his debut album, Beginnings, on August 28, 1972, on Sparmac.

Beginnings contains ten Springfield originals, including the Australian and North American hit “Speak to the Sky.” Springfield plays guitar, banjo, organ, harpsichord, and piano.

“Mother Can You Carry Me” opens on acoustic strum and exposed lead, then folds strings, a steadier beat, and an electric break. “Speak to the Sky” bounces through handclaps and tuba. “What Would the Children Think” turns its domestic scene toward a somber arrangement and earnest lead delivery. “1000 Years” circles a piano-led title figure before a brief orchestral swell near the close. “Hooky Jo” scampers through banjo, whistling, and a final dog bark. “I Didn’t Mean to Love You” slows into a cabaret-leaning vocal turn, with Springfield pressed into the line.

A1. “Mother Can You Carry Me” (4:31)
A2. “Speak to the Sky” (2:42)
A3. “What Would the Children Think” (3:44)
A4. “1000 Years” (3:54)
A5. “The Unhappy Ending” (3:30)

B1. “Hooky Jo” (2:48)
B2. “I Didn’t Mean to Love You” (3:40)
B3. “Come on Everybody” (3:43)
B4. “Why?” (3:59)
B5. “The Ballad of Annie Goodbody” (3:55)

Springfield recorded Beginnings at Trident Studios, London, in February 1972, with producer Robie Porter, engineer Robin Geoffrey Cable, and arranger Del Newman.

Beginnings appeared in a sleeve with art direction by John Hoernle and photography by Bob Willoughby.

Sparmac issued “Speak to the Sky” in Australia in October 1971, backed with “Why?” Capitol issued the song in North America during 1972. “Speak to the Sky” reached No. 6 in Australia, No. 10 in Canada, No. 8 on Canada’s Adult Contemporary chart, No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, and No. 16 on Billboard Easy Listening.

Sparmac lifted “Hooky Jo” in Australia, backed with “Why?” “What Would the Children Think?” followed in North America, backed with “Walking the Floor on My Hands Over You.” The song reached No. 38 in Australia, No. 4 on Canada’s Adult Contemporary chart, and No. 70 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Beginnings reached No. 15 in Australia, No. 23 in Canada, and No. 35 on the Billboard 200.

Comic Book Heroes

Rick Springfield released his second album, Comic Book Heroes, on September 17, 1973, on Wizard in Australia and Capitol in North America.

Comic Book Heroes contains eleven Springfield originals. The album uses a comic-strip sleeve concept and follows the North American chart run of “Speak to the Sky.” Capitol issued the album in the United States, then withdrew the title amid label-contract complications; Columbia later reissued the album in the same market.

“I’m Your Superman” charges through a hard-edged arrangement. “Weep No More” fills out its lead with polished studio density. “Why Are You Waiting” broadens the song surface with expanded arrangement detail. “Misty Water Woman” pivots between rougher passages and cleaner turns. “The Liar” repeats that rough-to-refined shift across adjacent passages. “The Photograph” leans on wordless vocal syllable loops. “Do You Love Your Children” extends into a multi-part ending with choir-colored emphasis.

A1. “Comic Book Heroes” (0:43)
A2. “I’m Your Superman” (2:59)
A3. “Weep No More” (3:45)
A4. “Why Are You Waiting” (3:59)
A5. “Believe in Me” (3:55)

B1. “Misty Water Woman” (4:37)
B2. “The Liar” (3:43)
B3. “The Photograph” (3:25)
B4. “Bad Boy” (3:09)
B5. “Born Out of Time” (3:46)
B6. “Do You Love Your Children” (6:03)

Springfield recorded Comic Book Heroes with producer Robie Porter.

Comic Book Heroes appeared in a sleeve that places Springfield inside a comic-book layout with costumed-hero imagery and illustrated panels.

Wizard lifted “I’m Your Superman” in June 1973, backed with “Mother Can You Carry Me.” “Believe in Me” followed in Australia, backed with “The Liar.”

Comic Book Heroes reached No. 54 in Australia.

Mission Magic!

Rick Springfield released Mission Magic! in July 1974 on Wizard.

Mission Magic! contains sixteen Springfield originals written for the Filmation animated television series Mission: Magic! Springfield voiced an animated version of himself in the program, where teacher Miss Tickle used a magic blackboard to transport her students into adventure plots. The album gathers full songs tied to the series and excludes the program’s incidental cues.

1. “We’re Gonna Have a Good Time” (2:39)
2. “It’s Driving Me Crazy” (2:55)
3. “Free and Easy” (2:38)
4. “You Really Can Do It If You Try” (2:57)
5. “On the Other Side” (2:22)
6. “You Can’t Judge a Book” (2:37)
7. “Love Is the Key” (2:29)
8. “You’d Better Think Twice” (2:13)
9. “Welcome to the Rodeo” (2:49)
10. “I Want You” (2:39)
11. “Just Gotta Sing” (2:30)
12. “If We Help One Another” (2:33)
13. “Starlight, Starbright” (2:03)
14. “Catch Me If You Can” (2:17)
15. “I Know That It’s Magic” (2:17)
16. “Theme From Mission: Magic!” (2:22)

Springfield recorded the Mission Magic! songs across sessions at Armstrong Studios, Melbourne, and Crystal Studios, Hollywood, with producer Robie Porter. The sessions use musicians tied to Australian and Los Angeles studio circles, including drummers Ray Arnott and Russ Kunkel, bassists Carol Kaye, Lee Sklar, and Barry Sullivan, and guitarist Springfield.

Wizard issued “Streaking the Australian Way” in 1974, backed with “You’d Better Think Twice.” The label also issued “Mission Magic!” as a single credited to Rick Springfield and Springfield Mass, backed with “Music to Streak By.”

Mission Magic! reached No. 97 in Australia.

Wait for Night

Rick Springfield released his fourth album, Wait for Night, in 1976 on Chelsea.

Wait for Night contains ten Springfield originals and places his songs inside a Los Angeles studio-band setting with the former Elton John rhythm section, bassist Dee Murray and drummer Nigel Olsson, plus additional bassist Joe Lamano. Murray sings backing vocals along with Gabriel Katona, Jim Haas, and Les Emmerson.

“Take a Hand” climbs from its first stanza into a rousing chorus and sustains the same high gear. “One Broken Heart” crunches through a tightened chorus.

A1. “Take a Hand” (2:16)
A2. “Goldfever” (2:58)
A3. “One Broken Heart” (2:54)
A4. “Where’s All the Love” (3:24)
A5. “Archangel” (3:03)

B1. “Jessica” (3:00)
B2. “Million Dollar Face” (2:50)
B3. “Old Gangsters Never Die” (3:06)
B4. “Treat Me Gently in the Morning” (4:35)
B5. “Life Is a Celebration” (3:04)

Springfield recorded Wait for Night at Sound City Studios, Van Nuys, with producer–engineer Mark K. Smith and assistants Andy Zane and Gary Lubow. String arranger Jimmie Haskell worked in tandem with Chicago on X, including their No. 1 ballad “f You Leave Me Now.”

Wait for Night appeared in a sleeve with art direction by Hulda Nelson and photography by Bret Lopez. Springfield conceived the front-cover image.

Chelsea issued “Take a Hand” in August 1976, backed with “Archangel” in the United States and “Jessica” in Australia. “Take a Hand” reached No. 56 in Canada and No. 41 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Million Dollar Face” followed in October 1976, backed with “One Broken Heart” in the United States and “Treat Me Gently in the Morning” in Australia. “Jessica” became the third single in December 1976, backed with “Archangel.” In April 1977, “Treat Me Gently in the Morning” appeared as a further single. “Archangel” reappeared in Australia in November 1979, backed with “Gold Fever.”

The album later re-entered circulation after Springfield’s early-eighties breakthrough. RCA reissued Wait for Night in 1982, and the title reached No. 159 on the Billboard 200 the following year.

Acting Work and “Jessie’s Girl”

Springfield moved further into acting after Wait for Night. In October 1977, he made his American television acting debut in The Six Million Dollar Man episode “Rollback.” He followed with guest roles on The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, Wonder Woman, Battlestar Galactica, The Rockford Files, The Eddie Capra Mysteries, The Incredible Hulk, Hawaii Five-O, Turnabout, California Fever, and CHiPs.

In the Battlestar Galactica pilot (aired September 17, 1978), Springfield plays Lieutenant Zac, the younger son of Commander Adama, played by Bonanza legend Lorne Greene. Zac joins a reconnaissance patrol with his brother Apollo (Richard Hatch) and Starbuck (future A-Team actor Dirk Benedict), then dies when Cylon Raiders disable and destroy his Viper.

In 1979, Springfield met a classmate named Gary during a stained-glass course in Pasadena. Gary’s girlfriend became the model for the woman in “Jessie’s Girl.” Springfield changed the male name from Gary to Jessie after seeing the name on a Ron Jessie football jersey. The song later reached the public through Working Class Dog after Springfield’s daytime-television profile expanded through General Hospital.

On March 25, 1981, Springfield debuted as Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital. The role placed him on one of American daytime television’s largest programs at the same moment that “Jessie’s Girl” crossed from album radio into the Hot 100.

Working Class Dog

Rick Springfield released his fifth album, Working Class Dog, on February 14, 1981, on RCA Victor.

Working Class Dog contains nine Springfield originals and a cover of Sammy Hagar (“I’ve Done Everything for You”). The album features keyboardist Gabriel Katona, guitarists Robben Ford and Neil Giraldo, bassists Jeff Eyrich and Giraldo, and drummers Mike Baird and Jack White.

“Love Is Alright Tonite” surges from opening guitar chords into a bright, compact chorus. “Jessie’s Girl” cuts a repeated figure against short vocal phrases, then sharpens the final pass with a solo break. “Hole in My Heart” stomps through punchy chording. “I’ve Done Everything for You” drives its chorus through dotted-quarter accent chains.

“The Light of Love” bounces through bright chord blocks. “Everybody’s Girl” lopes through an offbeat chord chop. “Daddy’s Pearl” chugs through verse drive and opens into a broader chorus. “Red Hot & Blue Love” boogies through heavier chording and double-time solo motion. “Inside Silvia” settles into low-lit keyboard and layered vocals.

A1. “Love Is Alright Tonite” (3:28)
A2. “Jessie’s Girl” (3:14)
A3. “Hole in My Heart” (3:12)
A4. “Carry Me Away” (3:01)
A5. “I’ve Done Everything for You” (3:17) – Hagar

B1. “The Light of Love” (2:43)
B2. “Everybody’s Girl” (2:59)
B3. “Daddy’s Pearl” (2:37)
B4. “Red Hot & Blue Love” (2:57)
B5. “Inside Sylvia” (4:43)

Springfield recorded Working Class Dog at Sound City Studios, Van Nuys, with producers Bill Drescher and Keith Olsen. Springfield co-produced most of the album with Drescher. Chris Minto and Doug Pakes served as assistant engineers, and Greg Fulginiti mastered the album at Artisan Sound Recorders.

Working Class Dog appeared in a sleeve by Mike Doud, with photography by Tom Gibson. The front cover shows Springfield’s bull terrier Ronnie in a white dress shirt and black tie.

RCA lifted “Jessie’s Girl” in February 1981, backed with “Carry Me Away.” Springfield’s video places the song inside a performance-and-jealousy setup, with the singer watching the woman through domestic interiors and band shots. Jessie is portrayed by actor Steve Antin, best known for his role as Rick, the macho frenemy of protagonist Gary in the 1982 teen sex comedy The Last American Virgin.

“Jessie’s Girl” reached No. 1 in Australia, No. 6 in Canada, No. 10 on Billboard Mainstream Rock. On the week of August 1, 1981 (the day MTV premiered), “Jessie’s Girl” reached No. 1 on the US Hot 100, where it ousted “The One That You Love” by fellow Aussies Air Supply. Springfield held the summit for two weeks then yielded to “Endless Love,” the movie-theme ballad duet by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie.

“I’ve Done Everything for You” followed in 1981, backed with “Red Hot & Blue Love.” The single reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 19 on Canada’s Adult Contemporary chart, No. 31 in Australia, and No. 40 in Canada.

“Love Is Alright Tonite” became the third single, backed with “Everybody’s Girl.” It reached No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 26 in Canada, and No. 40 on Billboard Mainstream Rock.

Working Class Dog reached No. 7 on the Billboard 200, No. 33 in Australia, and No. 33 in Canada.

Success Hasn’t Spoiled Me Yet

Rick Springfield released his sixth album, Success Hasn’t Spoiled Me Yet, on March 23, 1982, on RCA Victor.

Success Hasn’t Spoiled Me Yet contains nine Springfield originals, plus one co-write with Jim Vallance (“Kristina”), one Chas Sandford song (“Still Crazy for You”), one Tom Kelly–Billy Steinberg song (“Just One Kiss”), and a cover of Los Bravos (“Black Is Black”). Springfield employs guitarist Tim Pierce, keyboardists Gabriel Katona and Alan Pasqua, bassist Dennis Belfield, drummer Mike Baird, and backing singers Tommy Funderburk, Tom Kelly, and Richard Page.

“Calling All Girls” charges through crunching chord drive, a solo break, and a softened middle return. “I Get Excited” jumps from a bare opening figure into repeated “All Night” chorus answers. “What Kind of Fool Am I” starts with a softened opening, then kicks into punchier chord motion. “Kristina” plants heavy keyboard color at the entrance and delays the full chorus beat until late. “Tonight” ticks through verse clicks and strong backing-vocal blocks. “Black Is Black” rolls out of a low-end opening and organ color.

“Don’t Talk to Strangers” eases across a snappy beat and sharp chorus turns around a jilted plea. “How Do You Talk to Girls” skips across an offbeat chord chop. “Still Crazy for You” slows with longer vocal phrases and smoother chording. “The American Girl” jumps from bare verse chording into a brighter chorus. “Just One Kiss” brightens the vocal placement over compact chording. “April 24, 1981” settles into a brief, hushed stanza.

A1. “Calling All Girls” (3:26)
A2. “I Get Excited” (2:32)
A3. “What Kind of Fool Am I” (3:19)
A4. “Kristina” (3:01) – Springfield, Vallance
A5. “Tonight” (3:19)
A6. “Black Is Black” (2:52) – Hayes, Grainger, Wadey

B1. “Don’t Talk to Strangers” (2:59)
B2. “How Do You Talk to Girls” (3:17)
B3. “Still Crazy for You” (3:56) – Sandford
B4. “The American Girl” (3:09)
B5. “Just One Kiss” (3:14) – Kelly, Steinberg
B6. “April 24, 1981” (1:33)

Springfield recorded Success Hasn’t Spoiled Me Yet at Goodnight L.A. Studios with producer Keith Olsen and engineer Chris Minto. Kim Turner served as assistant engineer, and Greg Fulginiti mastered the album at Artisan Sound Recorders.

Success Hasn’t Spoiled Me Yet returned Ronnie to the cover image, with the dog shown inside a staged sign of Springfield’s new chart status.

RCA lifted “Don’t Talk to Strangers” in February 1982, backed with “Tonight.” The video places Springfield in staged performance and romantic-conflict scenes built around the title warning. “Don’t Talk to Strangers” reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 3 in Canada, No. 3 on Canada’s Adult Contemporary chart, No. 10 in Australia, No. 11 on Billboard Mainstream Rock, and No. 30 on Billboard Adult Contemporary.

“What Kind of Fool Am I” followed in May 1982, backed with “How Do You Talk to Girls.” The single reached No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 41 in Canada.

In August, RCA issued “I Get Excited,” backed with “Kristina.” “I Get Excited” reached No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 42 in Canada.

“Calling All Girls” also reached No. 4 on Billboard Mainstream Rock.

Success Hasn’t Spoiled Me Yet reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200, No. 6 in Canada, and No. 28 in Australia.

Living in Oz

Rick Springfield released his seventh album, Living in Oz, on March 30, 1983, on RCA Victor.

Living in Oz contains nine Springfield originals and one co-write with Danny Tate and Blaise Tosti (“Affair of the Heart”). The album features guitarist Tim Pierce, bassists Mike Seifrit and Dennis Belfield, keyboardists Brett Tuggle, Alan Pasqua, Gabriel Katona, John Philip Shenale, and Mitchell Froom, drummer Mike Baird, electronic drummer Jack White, and saxophonist Richard Elliot on “Human Touch.”

“Human Touch” threads a programmed beat through cold electronic color and Richard Elliot’s saxophone break. “Affair of the Heart” fades in with luminous modern synth layers, sharpened with guitar infusions that meld and tighten through the “all physical” bridge to the anthemic chorus. “Living in Oz” churns through the title line with heavy keyboard color in the chorus.

“Tiger by the Tail” feeds directly into the next cut. “Souls” tells a tale of star-crossed lovers in the danger zone with rising melodrama and dicey metaphors. “I Can’t Stop Hurting You” extends that sequence through its instrumental entrance before the vocal entry. “Like Father, Like Son” closes on strings and elegiac vocal placement.

A1. “Human Touch” (5:08)
A2. “Alyson” (3:49)
A3. “Affair of the Heart” (4:33) – Springfield, Tate, Tosti
A4. “Living in Oz” (3:49)
A5. “Me & Johnny” (4:26)

B1. “Motel Eyes” (3:12)
B2. “Tiger by the Tail” (3:25)
B3. “Souls” (4:15)
B4. “I Can’t Stop Hurting You” (3:44)
B5. “Like Father, Like Son” (2:57)

Springfield recorded Living in Oz at Sound City Studios and Soundcastle Studios with producer–engineer Bill Drescher. Greg Fulginiti mastered the album at Artisan Sound Recorders.

Living in Oz appeared in a sleeve with art direction and design by Ria Lewerke and photography by Leon Lecash.

RCA lifted “Affair of the Heart” in April 1983, backed with “Like Father, Like Son” in the United States and “The Photograph” in Australia. The video places Springfield in a black-and-white performance-and-pursuit setup with rapid cuts, close facial framing, and a nightclub-adjacent atmosphere. “Affair of the Heart” reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 11 in Canada, No. 23 on Billboard Mainstream Rock, and No. 26 in Australia.

“Human Touch” followed in June 1983, backed with “Alyson” in North America and “Born Out of Time” in Australia. The video uses science-fiction imagery, an operating-room frame, and choreographed crowd movement around Springfield’s central performance. “Human Touch” reached No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 23 in the UK, No. 34 on Billboard Mainstream Rock, and No. 92 in Australia.

In October, “Souls” became the third U.S. single, backed with a live version of the same song. The video places Springfield in dramatic performance footage with body-and-spirit imagery tied to the title. “Souls” reached No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Australia also received “Me & Johnny” as a single, backed with “Bad Boy.”

Living in Oz reached No. 12 on the Billboard 200, No. 20 in Canada, and No. 45 in Australia.

Hard to Hold

Rick Springfield released Hard to Hold, the soundtrack to his first starring film, in March 1984 on RCA Victor.

The album contains six Springfield titles, including the hit “Love Somebody.” It also includes Graham Parker (“When the Lights Go Down”), Nona Hendryx (“Heart of a Woman”), and a live Peter Gabriel recording (“I Go Swimming”). Randy Crawford duets with Springfield on “Taxi Dancing.”

A1. “Love Somebody” (3:30)
A2. “Don’t Walk Away” (4:00)
A3. “Bop ’Til You Drop” (4:16)
A4. “Taxi Dancing” (3:30)
A5. “S.F.O.” (2:21) – Springfield, Pierce

B1. “Stand Up” (3:06)
B2. “When the Lights Go Down” (3:21) – Parker
B3. “The Great Lost Art of Conversation” (3:07)
B4. “Heart of a Woman” (3:42) – Scott, Parton, Hendryx
B5. “I Go Swimming” (4:36) – Gabriel

Larry Peerce directed Hard to Hold from a screenplay by Thomas Hedley Jr. and Richard Rothstein. Springfield plays James “Jamie” Roberts, a pop star whose public life collides with child psychologist Diana Lawson after a car accident. Lawson does not know his music and resists his celebrity orbit, while Roberts tries to reach her amid pressure from his band, business circle, and former lover Nicky Nides.

The soundtrack uses multiple production teams. Springfield and Bill Drescher produced the Springfield recordings; Graham Parker and Harvey Goldberg produced “When the Lights Go Down”; Tom Scott produced “Heart of a Woman”; Peter Gabriel and Peter Walsh produced “I Go Swimming.” Drescher and Goldberg engineered the Springfield tracks, and Greg Fulginiti mastered the album.

Hard to Hold appeared in a film-tie sleeve with Springfield’s screen image and soundtrack branding.

RCA lifted “Love Somebody” in February 1984, backed with “The Great Lost Art of Conversation.” The video uses film footage and Springfield performance shots, linking the single to Jamie Roberts’ stage persona in the movie. “Love Somebody” reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 13 in Canada, No. 13 on Billboard Mainstream Rock, No. 23 in Germany, No. 83 in Australia, and No. 95 in the UK.

“Don’t Walk Away” followed in May 1984, backed with “S.F.O.” The single reached No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 41 on Billboard Mainstream Rock.

In August, “Bop ’Til You Drop” appeared with “Taxi Dancing” as the B-side. “Bop ’Til You Drop” reached No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 70 in Canada.

RCA also promoted “Taxi Dancing,” Springfield’s duet with Randy Crawford. The single reached No. 59 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 16 on Billboard Adult Contemporary, and No. 15 on Canada’s Adult Contemporary chart.

Hard to Hold reached No. 16 on the Billboard 200, No. 29 in Canada, No. 87 in Australia, No. 24 in Germany, No. 14 in Norway, and No. 5 in Sweden.

Beautiful Feelings

In October 1984, Mercury issued Beautiful Feelings, an unauthorized collection of remixed Rick Springfield demos.

Beautiful Feelings draws from 1978 Sound City recordings and appeared after Springfield’s RCA breakthrough. Mercury revised the recordings before release and placed “Bruce” at the front of the album. The album contains eight Springfield originals, a cover of Doris Troy (“Just One Look”), and a cover of Rabbitt (“Everybody’s Cheating”).

“Bruce” strips the entrance to a bluesy vocal setup, then jumps into hard chording and a pointed solo motif. “Just One Look” steps through short, throwback chording. “The Solitary One” dashes through brisk rock-and-roll motion and a thick chorus. “Spanish Eyes” softens the pace with a smooth vocal surface and brighter section lifts. “Everybody’s Cheating” swells through broad vocal drama and a brief hurdy-gurdy turn.

“Looking for the One” bounces through bluesy chording, then thickens the later section. “Cold Feet” hops through playful chording. “Brand New Feeling” eases in, then locks a busier bass line under warm vocal chording. “Beautiful Feelings” slows into bluesy vocal drama. “Guenevere” drifts through pastoral acoustic color and a thicker late passage.

A1. “Bruce” (3:33)
A2. “Just One Look” (2:25) – Payne, Carroll
A3. “The Solitary One” (3:26)
A4. “Spanish Eyes” (3:37)
A5. “Everybody’s Cheating” (2:52) – Blerk, Rabin

B1. “Looking for the One” (2:38)
B2. “Cold Feet” (3:35)
B3. “Brand New Feeling” (2:50)
B4. “Beautiful Feelings” (2:50)
B5. “Guenevere” (3:07)

Springfield recorded the original sessions at Sound City Studios, Van Nuys, in 1978. Tom Perry and Joey D. Vieira receive the album’s producer credit. Larry Muhoberac arranged strings on “Guenevere.”

Beautiful Feelings appeared in a sleeve with cover illustration by Brian Zick.

Mercury issued “Bruce” in November 1984, backed with “Guenevere.” The song uses a mistaken-identity premise built around Bruce Springsteen. The single reached No. 27 on the UK Singles Chart. The song dropped in the middle of Springsteen’s eighteen-month promotional campaign behind Born In the USA.

Beautiful Feelings reached No. 78 on the Billboard 200.

Tao

Rick Springfield released his tenth album, Tao, on March 27, 1985, on RCA Victor.

Tao contains eight Springfield originals, one co-write with Tim Pierce (“Dance This World Away”), and one co-write with Eric McCusker and Pierce (“State of the Heart”). Springfield tackles keyboards, samplers, and programmed rhythm tracks. Pino Palladino and Springfield share bass duties, Mike Baird plays drums, and Tim Pierce appears across guitar and synthesizer roles.

“Dance This World Away” drives hard chording through synthetic flecks and a machine-built beat. “Celebrate Youth” slams its title calls against bright electronic accents. “Ride ’Em B Do Jr.” isolates a processed voice loop. “Written in Rock” hardens its lead inside dense electronic chording. “The Power of Love (The Tao of Love)” slows the lead over heavy synthesis. “Walking on the Edge” opens on eerie processed speech, then breaks into a brighter synthetic beat.

“Walk Like a Man” brackets its machine-cut body with sharp guitar licks. “The Tao of Heaven” briefly slows the program into a spare electronic pause. “Stranger in the House” sets its story line inside dense, driving electronics. “My Father’s Chair” closes with piano-driven lead and restrained vocal placement.

A1. “Dance This World Away” (4:36) – Springfield, Pierce
A2. “Celebrate Youth” (4:24)
A3. “State of the Heart” (4:02) – Springfield, McCusker, Pierce; first appeared on Chemistry, the 1981 second album by Mondo Rock.
A4. “Written in Rock” (4:34)
A5. “The Power of Love (The Tao of Love)” (5:00)

B1. “Walking on the Edge” (5:09)
B2. “Walk Like a Man” (4:14)
B3. “The Tao of Heaven” (1:28)
B4. “Stranger in the House” (4:03)
B5. “My Father’s Chair” (3:27)

Springfield recorded Tao at The Village Recorder with co-producer and engineer Bill Drescher. Cliff Jones also engineered the album, and Greg Fulginiti mastered the record at Artisan Sound Recorders.

Tao appeared in a sleeve designed by Peggy Raess and Ted Raess. Brian Aris and Tom Kelley Studios handled photography.

RCA lifted “Celebrate Youth” in 1985, backed with “Stranger in the House.” The video places Springfield inside a youth-and-generation montage, with children’s faces, group movement, and studio performance images tied to the title. “Celebrate Youth” reached No. 5 in Germany, No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 39 in Canada, and No. 80 in the UK.

“State of the Heart” followed, backed with “The Power of Love (The Tao of Love).” The video sets Springfield in a stylized performance clip with low-key lighting, close facial framing, and romantic narrative inserts. “State of the Heart” reached No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 44 in Germany, No. 75 in Canada, and No. 145 in the UK. “Dance This World Away” also received international single release in Europe and Japan.

Tao reached No. 21 on the Billboard 200, No. 50 in Canada, and No. 85 in Australia.

Rock of Life

Rick Springfield released Rock of Life in February 1988 on RCA Victor.

Rock of Life contains nine Springfield originals and a cover of Small Faces (“(If You Think You’re) Groovy”). The albums includes bassist Randy Jackson, keyboardists Alan Pasqua, Bill Cuomo, and Kimo Cornwell, guitarists Tim Pierce and Dann Huff, drummer Curt Cress, and percussionist Carol Steele.

“Rock of Life” stacks keyboard effects under a higher lead and whoo-hoo vocal tags. “Honeymoon in Beirut” twists through a complex song sequence. “World Start Turning” surges through the album’s harder drive. “Tear It All Down” tears into a similarly energetic charge. “Woman” settles into bluesy vocal strain. “Hold On to Your Dream” lifts bluesy vocal emphasis with a horn-arranged close. “(If You Think You’re) Groovy” ends with a child’s voice in the final seconds.

A1. “Rock of Life” (3:52)
A2. “Honeymoon in Beirut” (4:28)
A3. “World Start Turning” (5:41)
A4. “One Reason (To Believe)” (4:05)
A5. “Soul to Soul” (4:46)

B1. “Tear It All Down” (4:17)
B2. “Woman” (5:53)
B3. “Dream in Colour” (4:32) – Springfield, Silverman
B4. “Hold On to Your Dream” (4:38)
B5. “(If You Think You’re) Groovy” (4:00) – Marriott, Lane

Springfield recorded Rock of Life at Compass Point Studios, Nassau; Goodnight L.A.; and POD Studios, Malibu, with producer Keith Olsen. Springfield shares the production credit. Greg Fulginiti mastered the album.

Rock of Life appeared in a sleeve with art direction and design by Curt Evans and Larry Vigon. Phillip Dixon supplied the photography.

RCA issued “Rock of Life” in 1988, backed with “The Language of Love.” Alex Proyas’ video places Springfield inside a dark performance-and-family sequence built around father–child images and stage-lit closeups. “Rock of Life” reached No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 28 in Canada, No. 45 on Billboard Mainstream Rock, No. 83 in the UK, and No. 92 in Australia. “Honeymoon in Beirut” followed, backed with “Tear It All Down.”

Rock of Life reached No. 55 on the Billboard 200 and No. 66 in Canada.

Discography: