I rarely hear Rick being mentioned here on the org, except that lastdecember has talked about his stuff a few times. I never knew much about him, had only heard "Jesse's Girl" in Boogie Nights and a few times on the radio. Rick Springfield is not exactly a household name in Iceland (or most European countries I think). Most people just think about him as some 80s one-hit wonder. I have heard his music has been treated unfairly by critics because he was an actor in some US soap opera.

All I know is that for some reason I listened to his breakthrough album, "Working Class Dog", via the internet not so many weeks ago and I was really impressed. And last week I decided to finally buy the CD from Amazon which should arrive next week. This album really sounds unbelievably fresh, considering it's 26 years since its release. The production is so clean and sharp and not too cluttered and very much free of dated synths and drum machines. The version I heard is the remastered edition (the same one I ordered) and like I said, the sound is really good for an album from 1981.

And the songs are really melodic power-pop with alot of hooks and stuff Now I don't know how his later (or earlier) stuff matches up with this album but I can honestly say that despite being a 24 year old Icelandic dude I really dig this album. And I've seen some clips from recent TV appearances when he's doing songs from this album, and the guy really seems to age well, both in appearance and as a performer.

My personal favorite tracks:
Love is Alright Tonite
The Light of Love
Everybody's Girl
Jesse's Girl

Agreed !!
"Red hot & Blue love"

Yes i am one of the very few to post about Rick in the past. Lets talk about underrated and a truly understood person. Not many know but Rick's first hit wasnt Jessies Girl, but it was "Speak to the Sky" back in 1972. Rick began as a singer songwriter type artist, but his looks forced his label to put him inot this David Cassidy type of promo. But Rick is so much more than that. Another thing people dont realize is that from 1981-1988 Rick had 16 straight top 40 hits, 15 of them being between 1981-1985. Rick was unstoppable, he had 4 straight multi platnum albums during the 1981-1985 span, toured the world many times,played Live Aid in 1985, not only that he was so HOT at the time he was charting B-sides (remember those things). Ricks career dates back to its beginning in 1972, with an album called BEGINNINGS, he had a few more albums through the 70's but no one wanted him unless he was going to be a "poster boy", the funny thing is that when Rick hit it really big with Jessies girl when he was on General Hospital, he got all these teen magazines chasing him around and he was already 32 years old. Working Class dog is an all out Rock album, kicks ass, and makes Rock N Roll fun (i think people forget rock is supposed to be fun). I own all of Ricks stuff from day one, and i dont really have a favorite though the stuff he is doing recently kicks ass like he used too, he had a record back in 1999 called KARMA which is amazing, its more acoustic rock and very personal to him, also his 2004 Record "SHOCK DENIAL ANGER ACCEPTANCE" is one of the best Rock records of this decade, This album is Working Class Dog for this decade, its loud, quite angry at times, but kicks ass. And of course his CD of Covers called "The Day After Yesterday" is also a great treat. And dont think Rick sits back and just records, this guy has been on tour every year since 1998, he plays Alot of shows a year, probably 50-100 sometimes more, hes got a great official website, he is really cool with his fans, i have seen him 14 times and met him at the last 5 shows, the guy is gracious and HUMAN, and for a guy 58, still looks like hes in his 30's. And his website and store offers some of the best merchandise i have ever seen an artist offer, everything is there. Books,shirts,hats,jewelry,LTD edition cds with demos etc... U get it all, easily one of my favorite artists of my lifetime.
[Edited 7/27/07 18:39pm]

Love is Alright Tonite - I've always thought this was a pop masterpiece

He did a show at a local festival about ten years ago and to my surprise, it was one of the best shows I've ever seen. He absolutely rocked, and I'll never forget him smashing big bunches of roses on his guitar - petals flying everywhere. It was fun


My wife still lusts after this man

Rick Springfield has always been a badass. Still is, especially in his live performances. Catchy tunes and gives his all in concert.

JesseDezz said:

That's his niche.
[Edited 7/28/07 14:28pm]

Definitely one of his best cuts.