Sorry but it has to be said. This dude, is so overlooked by an Industry he was dominating at a time when Michael, Prince, Madonna and Duran were the Hot things too. Although 99% of the world think Rick's first hit or CD was in 1980 and that JESSIES GIRL was his first hit, well as usual people are wrong, his first was in 1972 a TOP 15 hit SPEAK TO THE SKY, Rick was at first a Folk, singer, songwriter type when it wasnt a cool thing to be. Well the years went on and we all know what happend, well I think people dont realize how hot Rick was, from 1980-1988 Rick had 17 straight TOP 40 hits 16 of them coming from 1980-1985. Rick also charted a B SIDE, thats how HOT he was, not too many people chart B SIDES into the TOP 40. Nonstop touring and album after album, and of course a Movie too, HARD TO HOLD, sure it was EGO gone wild as he said, but they all do it (ex. GLITTER, GRAFITTI, SHANGAI SURPRISE, etc.). Well RICK took a break in 85-88 and then Recorded ROCK OF LIFE a gold record, and then as he was to start a tour he had a freak accident that almost paralyzed him. Well about 8 years later he started to tour clubs and in 1998-99, he did his BEST cd,called KARMA, if U aint heard it, go get it. Now in 2003 he is about to release "SHOCKANGERDENIALACCEPTANCE" his new cd, which is RAW GUITAR ROCK not that Nickelback shit. Well RICK was never on a RNR hall of fame ballot (1997 was his year) and Im not surprised because the Industry lumps him in with David Cassidy and other TV stars that had hits, well RICK wasnt a TV star when he started recording and he was only on TV a year 1980-81, plus RICK writes and Records all his own stuff the others dont. So maybe we can give RICK some props for being competitive during a time when all the MUSIC out there sounded different even if we think it was cheesy, it was all different, Unlike todays mindless, corporate, factory line type of Music production. GO RICK happy 54th BDAY!
And just a footnote,his website, is the way all artists need to theirs to connect with fans

"Don't Talk To Strangers" is damn cool, tho!

Bop Til You Drop!

JESSIES GIRL it reminds me of Boogie Nights

I'm a huge fan of Rick Springfield.This guy doesn't get the respect he deserves.I think people consider him more of "teen idol/sex symbol/soap actor" star who scored a few hits in the early 80s,and they don't take his music seriously.That's a shame because,back then,he was creating some great pop songs.Not really innovative or entirely original,but fun,catchy and heartfelt,nonetheless.


"Jessie's Girl" (1981) is a rock classic,used to great effect in the 1997 film 'Boogie Nights'."Don't Talk To Strangers"(1982) is a superb midtempo rocker and "What Kind Of Fool Am I"(1982) is a killer rock ballad."The Human Touch"(1983) is a powerful rock/pop song that may have been ahead of it's time.The interesting lyrics deal with a cold,emotionless society ruled by computers."Bop Til You Drop" (1984) is the funkiest thing Rick has ever done,with an incredibly catchy hook.I'm surprised that R&B radio didn't pick up on this song


Interestingly,the 1983 song "Human Touch" may have inspired a Prince-written song from a year later.Rick's song includes the chorus..."We all need...the human touch",which Prince may have borrowed for Sheila E's "The Glamorous Life" ("she don't need...a man's touch").

jn2 said:

That's why I bouight the 'Working Class Dog' album!

to Dont Talk To Strangers

DavidEye said:

interesting

Rick always did those geetar movements..like he was thrashing and grovvin at the same time.

Livin in Oz, Livin in Oz

gazoo said:

love that song!


"Now tell me,how's life in the big city?
I hear the competition's tough,baby that's a pity
Where every man's an actor,every girl is pretty
I don't like what's getting back to me

Now who's this Don Juan I've been hearing of?
Love hurts when only one's in love
Now did ya fall at first sight
Or,did you need a shove?"

lastdecember said:

what about tao ? that's my fave. gravely overlooked