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.
Bad Boy
Rick Springfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The room was dark and suddenly began to swirl
I should have heeded mother's words
She said she'd heard it said you were a naughty girl
But what does a mother know
That we really need to know
And what would she say if she knew
Na na na na you're just a Bad Boy
Who, who, who
Na na na na they'll drive you mad boy
Who, who, who
But mother, what a way to go
I looked out as the sun came up
I shook my head and said I really should be gone
I grabbed my shoes and daily news
And walked out in the heat beneath the summer sun
But father was there outside with no place to run and hide
He looked most upset as he said "Where've you been?"
[Chorus]
But what if she'd walked in and caught us
Do you think she'd have been shocked
The way that she talked you'd think I was a daughter
Anyway the door was locked
I know that mother disagrees
But I would really like to see you again
And if you want to see me too
Then meet me in the bushes at the river bend
And no one will find us out
'Cause no one will be about
But still I can hear them all say
[Chorus]
The lyrics "Bad Boy" by Rick Springfield is about a man who wakes up after a night of drinking next to a woman he suspects is promiscuous. The singer's mother had warned him of girls like her and he wonders if she would be shocked if she caught him. The song then goes on to describe the singer's attraction towards the woman and their attempt to be together secretly. The chorus tells the story of how society sees the woman as a bad influence on the singer and how his family disagrees with him seeing her. But the singer believes that being with her is worth going against his mother's warnings.
The song has an interesting vibe that is bluesy and sensual at the same time. The lyrics are cleverly written, and there is a sense of tension and danger throughout. The song is about the taboo of being with someone who is considered to be morally corrupt, and the singer's inner struggle with his desires. The song seems to be inspired by a classic romance novel or movie, where the singer falls for the "bad girl," which is a trope that has been explored in pop culture for a long time.
Line by Line Meaning
I woke up from the drink I had
After getting drunk, I regained consciousness.
The room was dark and suddenly began to swirl
I woke up disoriented and with the room spinning.
I should have heeded mother's words
My mother warned me about you.
She said she'd heard it said you were a naughty girl
My mother had heard rumors that you were promiscuous.
But what does a mother know
I am unsure if my mother's warnings should be taken seriously.
That we really need to know
I am curious to know more about your reputation.
And what would she say if she knew
I wonder how my mother would react if she knew that I was with you.
Na na na na you're just a Bad Boy
You are a troublemaker and not to be trusted.
Na na na na they'll drive you mad boy
Your behavior will only lead to more chaos and problems.
But mother, what a way to go
Despite the potential consequences, I am willing to take the risk and pursue you.
I looked out as the sun came up
The morning had arrived and it was time for me to leave.
I shook my head and said I really should be gone
I acknowledged that it was time for me to leave and move on.
I grabbed my shoes and daily news
I gathered my belongings and prepared to leave.
And walked out in the heat beneath the summer sun
I left the building and stepped out into the hot summer weather.
But father was there outside with no place to run and hide
My father was waiting for me outside and I could not escape the conversation.
He looked most upset as he said "Where've you been?"
My father was concerned about my whereabouts and wanted an explanation.
But what if she'd walked in and caught us
I worry about the consequences of being caught together by my mother.
Do you think she'd have been shocked
I wonder if my mother would be surprised or not if she caught us.
The way that she talked you'd think I was a daughter
My mother is overly protective and treats me like a child.
Anyway the door was locked
Fortunately we were able to prevent my mother from catching us by locking the door.
I know that mother disagrees
Despite my mother's objections, I still want to be with you.
But I would really like to see you again
I crave the excitement and passion of being with you again.
And if you want to see me too
If you feel the same way, I want to see you as well.
Then meet me in the bushes at the river bend
Let's secretly meet up at the river bend where no one can see us.
And no one will find us out
Our secret meeting place will remain hidden.
'Cause no one will be about
There will be no one nearby to witness our rendezvous.
But still I can hear them all say
Despite my desire to be with you, I still hear the warnings and complaints of others.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RICK SPRINGFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind