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.
American Girls
Rick Springfield Lyrics
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And America your cityside is nice
But America it's not your farms or freeways
It's the way you grow your sweet sugar and spice
American girls, American girls
(American girls) you know that I love you
(American girls) you know that I want you(American girls) I've got to have you
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
Oh America I love your Hollywood movies
And America Broadway opening nights are nice
But America it's not because of John Wayne
It's the way you grow your sugar and spice
American girls, American girls
(American girls) you know that I love you
(American girls) you know that I want you
(American girls) I've got to have you
Oh American girls
I've been to New York, Boston, L.A. & Chicago
From Hawaii sun to cold Alaska night
But America I don't have to look to far
'Cos everywhere's your sweet sugar and spice
American girls, American girls
(American girls) you know that I love you
(American girls) you know that I want you
(American girls) I've got to have you
Oh American girls
Yeah American girls
Oh American girls
In Rick Springfield's song "The American Girl," he expresses his love and admiration for America and its women. He appreciates the beauty of America's countryside and cities, but what he truly loves is the way the country grows its "sweet sugar and spice." He sings about American girls, how much he loves them, wants them, and needs them.
Furthermore, he mentions popular cultural landmarks like Hollywood movies and Broadway shows, but he clarifies that it's not because of John Wayne or any other individual that he loves the country. Rather, it's because of the women who embody the essence of America's "sweet sugar and spice." Springfield's lyrics emphasize how much he values these women and how they make America the incredible country that it is.
The song's lyrics may seem straightforward, but they reflect the fusion of both traditional and modern American values. The phrase "sweet sugar and spice" reflects the country's deep history in traditional farming and agriculture, while the emphasis on Hollywood and Broadway reflects the importance of entertainment and innovation in modern America.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, America your countryside is pretty
I admire the beautiful landscape found in America's rural areas.
And America your cityside is nice
I also appreciate the charm and appeal of America's urban centers.
But America it's not your farms or freeways
However, what truly sets America apart is not its agricultural or transportation infrastructure.
It's the way you grow your sweet sugar and spice
Rather, it's the unique characteristics and qualities that make America special, which include the way they cultivate their culture and traditions.
American girls, American girls
The songwriter is addressing American women specifically here.
(American girls) you know that I love you
He expresses his affection for them.
(American girls) you know that I want you
He desires them romantically.
(American girls) I've got to have you
He cannot resist their allure.
Oh America I love your Hollywood movies
The songwriter enjoys the entertainment industry in America, such as their films.
And America Broadway opening nights are nice
He also appreciates the experience of attending a Broadway show.
But America it's not because of John Wayne
However, his fondness for America is not due to any one individual, such as the actor John Wayne.
It's the way you grow your sugar and spice
He reiterates that it's the culture and values of America that he truly admires.
I've been to New York, Boston, L.A. & Chicago
The singer has visited many major cities in America.
From Hawaii sun to cold Alaska night
He has also experienced a range of climates throughout the country.
But America I don't have to look too far
However, he doesn't have to travel far to find the essence of America.
'Cos everywhere's your sweet sugar and spice
It's present all throughout the country.
Yeah American girls
The singer once again addresses his love for American women.
Oh American girls
He ends the song with a repetition of his previous sentiment.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Rick Springfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind