He received the Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for "Jessie's Girl", which proved to be a career breakout moment. He followed with four more top 10 U.S. rock hits: "I've Done Everything for You", "Don't Talk to Strangers", "Affair of the Heart", and "Love Somebody". His two U.S. top 10 albums are 1981's 'Working Class Dog' and 1982's 'Success Hasn't Spoiled Me Yet', releases featuring an energetic sound earning both commercial and critical successes. As an actor, he portrayed the popular Dr. Noah Drake on the daytime drama 'General Hospital' from 1981 to 1983, and he sprang back into the role during 2005 to 2008 and 2012, returning again in 2013 for the show's 50th anniversary with his son (and fellow actor) Liam Springthorpe.
Though having gigantic success in the early to mid-80s, Springfield felt totally exhausted with the pressures of stardom. He would end up devoting more time to his personal and family life, though still releasing albums through the late 80s and onward. In 2010, Springfield published his well-received autobiography, titled 'Late, Late at Night: A Memoir', which detailed these struggles.
Born Richard Lewis Springthorpe, later adopting "Rick Springfield" in his performing days, in South Wentworthville on 23 August 1949, he spent the early part of his life around the western suburbs of Sydney, Australia. The son of Eileen and Norman Springthorpe, the latter a Australian Army career officer, he also has an older brother, Mike Springthorpe. Due to his father's Army career, the Springthorpe family moved to London, England, where they lived between 1960 to 1962. The family moved back to Australia in June 1962, where they settled in the Melbourne suburb of Ormond.
Inspired by the 60s pop rock boom around him, the young Rick Springfield took naturally to singing and songwriting. However, commercial success would come in sudden bursts for him, with the performer facing bouts of 'teen idol' worship (even spending a time doing music for kids as a sort of cartoon Mister Rogers from 1973 to 1975, with those songs put into his 'Mission Magic!' album) that concealed his desire to be taken seriously as a musician. Fully embracing a power pop and new wave sound, as played by contemporaries such as Cheap Trick, The Cars, and others, finally helped him hit the big time in a dramatic way. As well, in October 1984, Springfield married his longtime girlfriend, Barbara Porter, in his family's church in Australia.
When being interviewed about his autobiography, Springfield admitted that he dated while married, and that it was a problem that he has overcome. He mentioned in particular dating Linda Blair, Demi Moore, Connie Hamzy, Morgana Welch, and Geraldine Edwards (the inspiration for Penny Lane in 'Almost Famous'). Though on top of the world for a time, things proved unstable and uncertain. In 1985, when his first son was born and after the release of his 'Tao' album, Springfield took a break from his musical career to spend more time with his family, as stated before. He also resolved to deal with the off-and-on depression that had affected him since his adolescence. Springfield had suffered much in the 70s due to both the serious illness of his father, who died on 24 April 1981, and difficulties dealing with people in the music industry.
Recently, a new feature documentary, titled 'An Affair of the Heart: The Journey of Rick Springfield and his Devoted Fans, was filmed in 2010. The movie started on the film festival circuit in the spring of 2012. The performer's latest work is 2015's 'Stripped Down', a combination of covers, new material, and re-recorded tracks from his past that has attracted some critical praise.
Affair of the Heart
Rick Springfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mercury rising into the red
The smell of your skin can light up all the fires in me
Hungry to touch, I'm eager to please
Out of control and I hand you the keys
Every night I am burning to make love to you
But don't try to tell me you think it's all physical
It goes much deeper than that
You ought to know it's an affair of the heart
It's an affair of the heart
It's an affair of the heart
Have a little blind faith
Believe it's an affair of the heart
When we make love, it's a passionate thing
You shudder and shake, sink you teeth in my skin
I almost believe you were made to be played by my hands
And you got the power, it amazes me still
How you play my emotions with consummate skill
I don't have to look any further than into your eyes
So don't try to tell me you think it's just physical
It goes way deeper than that
You better know it's an affair of the heart
It's an affair of the heart
It's an affair of the heart
Have a little blind faith
Believe it's an affair of the heart
Don't try to tell me you think it's all physical
It goes much deeper than that
You ought to know it's an affair of the heart
It's an affair of the heart
It's an affair of the heart
It's an affair of the heart
You better know it's an affair of the heart
It's an affair of the heart
You better know it's an affair of the heart
It's an affair of the heart
Baby, an affair of the heart
It's an affair of the heart
It's an affair of the heart
It's an affair of the heart
Oh, it's an affair
In the song Affair of the Heart, Rick Springfield expresses his passionate and intense feelings for his lover. The opening lyrics describe the physical reactions he experiences when he is in her presence, with his heart pounding in his mouth and his blood racing. He becomes intoxicated by the scent of her skin, and he cannot control his urge to be with her. Despite the intense physical attraction that they share, Springfield is keen to emphasize that their connection is much deeper than that. He acknowledges that his lover has a profound effect on him emotionally and spiritually, and their bond is not solely based on physical pleasure.
As the song progresses, Springfield describes the passion and intensity of their lovemaking. He asserts that they were made for each other and that their connection is powerful and undeniable. Springfield is astounded by the degree of control his lover has over him and admires her ability to play his emotions. He believes that the depth of their connection is something that cannot be explained or easily contained.
Overall, Affair of the Heart is a tribute to the intensity and complexity of love. It demonstrates how physical attraction can be intertwined with emotional and spiritual connections, creating a bond that is both complex and exhilarating.
Line by Line Meaning
Heart in my mouth, pulse in my head
I am overwhelmed with emotion and excitement
Mercury rising into the red
My passion is escalating uncontrollably
The smell of your skin can light up all the fires in me
You have the ability to ignite a deep desire within me with just your scent
Hungry to touch, I'm eager to please
I crave physical contact with you and am willing to do anything to make you happy
Out of control and I hand you the keys
I am surrendering myself to you completely
Every night I am burning to make love to you
I yearn for intimacy with you every night
But don't try to tell me you think it's all physical
Our connection is not solely based on physical attraction
It goes much deeper than that
Our relationship is rooted in a deep emotional connection
You ought to know it's an affair of the heart
Our relationship is a strong emotional connection rather than just a physical one
Have a little blind faith
Believe in our relationship without questioning it
Believe it's an affair of the heart
Believe that our relationship is based on a deep emotional connection
When we make love, it's a passionate thing
Our intimacy is full of passion and intensity
You shudder and shake, sink your teeth in my skin
You express your passion for me physically
I almost believe you were made to be played by my hand
Our connection is so natural and intense that it feels like you were made to be with me
And you got the power, it amazes me still
I am in awe of your influence over me and our relationship
How you play my emotions with consummate skill
You have the ability to manipulate my emotions in a way that feels natural and effortless
I don't have to look any further than into your eyes
I know everything I need to know about our relationship from the way you look at me
So don't try to tell me you think it's just physical
Our relationship is too intense and emotional to be based solely on physical attraction
You better know it's an affair of the heart
Our emotional connection is the foundation of our relationship
Baby, an affair of the heart
Our connection is based on deep love and affection
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Blaise Tosti, John Daniel Tate, Richard Springthorpe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tammyjoy9317
I don't care who you are, this is a great song.
@60mark61
His #9 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 from the summer of 1983
@nothere636
Memories
History 🤘
@kingsman8475
Should have been # 1
@nothere636
I was there. Lol. Cassette was on repeat in best friend's car. 10th grade. 🤘❤️🔥
@kerryknauf8196
Gosh i miss the 80s
@flyprincess69
Best decade ever…
@butchjones5107
I miss the 80's
@elliswhiteley3310
80s was best time. There nothing good today.
@greglang7382
I agree!