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.
Bop 'Til You Drop
Rick Springfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the hot city
Keep on working day and night
Don't stop 'til you get what you want
Bop 'til you drop
In the hot city
Burn the candle, burn it bright
You wake up wired and draw on your makeup
And the city breathes
And the city jumps to life
Lately it seems
Your time is all used up
Chasing dreams
Of money and the good life
But there is something you've been thinking of
Lately you're feeling the power of love
Everybody says it's so hard to hold
The alarm rings
You gotta get up, you gotta get up
Bop 'til you drop
In the hot city
Keep on working day and night
Don't stop 'til you get what you want
Bop 'til you drop
'Til you sit pretty
Burn the candle, burn it bright
Love will have to wait
People say you're the lucky one
But you don't believe it
And you want to stop
And you want to take some time
To suss out a feeling and look for a reason
And the flesh is weak
But the spirit is willing
'Cause there is something you've been thinking of
Lately you're feeling the power of love
Everybody says it's so, so hard to hold
The alarm rings
You gotta get up, you gotta get up
Bop 'til you drop
In the hot city
Keep on working day and night
Don't stop 'til you get what you want
Bop 'til you drop
'Til you sit pretty
Burn the candle, burn it bright
Love won't, love won't wait
There is something you've been thinking of
Lately you're feeling the power of love
Everybody says it's so hard to hold
The alarm rings
You gotta get up, you gotta get up
Bop 'til you drop
In the hot city
Keep on working day and night
The song "Bop 'Til You Drop" by Rick Springfield speaks about the daily grind of life in a big city, where success and love seem to be just within reach but out of grasp. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is constantly working, burning the candle at both ends, and not stopping until they achieve their goals. The singer encourages this attitude, pushing the listener to keep dancing and working until they "sit pretty". However, in the second verse, there is a hint of doubt and dissatisfaction. The singer admits to feeling the power of love and a desire to take some time to explore their emotions, but the demands of the world won't wait. Ultimately, the song sends a mixed message about life in the city, urging people to work hard but also acknowledge the importance of love and relationships.
The first verse lays out the premise of the song. The singer is in the "hot city" and must "bop 'til you drop", working day and night without stopping until they get what they want. The second verse acknowledges the toll this lifestyle takes, referring to the depletion of time and chasing the dreams of the "good life". The chorus repeats the "bop 'til you drop" refrain, with a familiar sense of urgency. In the third verse, the lyrics turn to reflection and contemplation. Despite the demands of life, the singer feels the power of love and the desire to suss out feelings and find meaning. However, the song ends on a hopeful note, with the assurance that love won't wait.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of frenetic energy and ambivalence about life in a big city. The message seems to be to keep going, to work hard and push towards success, but to also remain aware that there is more to life than material gain.
Line by Line Meaning
Bop 'til you drop
Keep dancing until you're too tired to continue
In the hot city
In a bustling metropolis
Keep on working day and night
Don't stop hustling until you achieve your goals
Don't stop 'til you get what you want
Persist until you attain your desires
Bop 'til you drop
Keep dancing until you're too tired to continue
'Til you sit pretty
Until you feel comfortable with your accomplishments
Burn the candle, burn it bright
Work hard and exhaust yourself
Love will have to wait
You must prioritize your goals over pursuing love
People say you're the lucky one
Others perceive you as fortunate
But you don't believe it
You don't feel fortunate
And you want to stop
You desire to take a break
And you want to take some time
You want to pause and reflect
To suss out a feeling and look for a reason
To analyze your emotions and rationale
And the flesh is weak
Physical desires can be overpowering
But the spirit is willing
Despite the body's weakness, you're mentally strong
Love won't, love won't wait
Love cannot be put on hold indefinitely
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RICK SPRINGFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Bearded Seeker
i love how these 80s dystopian sci-fi visions of the future is basically our lives now.
M n M
We win!
Jason Greene
It's basically a song about working in an Amazon warehouse!
lovinstitch
It's songs like this that makes me so thankful that I am a child of the 80's and graduated in 1985. :)
mychal belcher
What do you find amusing about this? Honest answers only don't be an asshole
ClineFamilyof5
Class of ‘86 here. We had awesome music and movies! It’s 2021 and Rick Springfield is doing a US tour…!! #GenX
Dan A.
89 here bro
Luis Colón
I was graduated from SHS in '85. Nice music!
Jon Weems
1985 was a great year to graduate! :)
DatBlackMinotaur
Who’s here because of the new Jimmy Eat World video?