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.
Carry Me Away
Rick Springfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, help me listen to my heart
And then take me to the top
I'm afraid of love, so afraid of love
And I'm scared to make it right
But I know tonight, that it's my last chance
My last shot with real love and I want to take itLast chance in the slow dance, in the big time
And I want to make it tonight
You're gonna show what love is and why
Between the sweat and the lovin',
The whisper and the cry
I'm so tired of all this shit that I feel
Show me something real
Carry me away, baby, carry me away
I'm in love with you tonight, feels so right
Carry me away, come on, carry me away
I want to be with you, what can I do?
You've got the power, you've got the love
To take me to heaven or to lead me to heartbreak
I spend my life waiting for the future and living in the past
Baby, show me love that I can hold on to
Give me something that'll last
I'm a total wreck but I'm up to my neck in this love that I'm in
It's a long shot, fun try from a real world, me and you, baby
Last chance for the slow dance in the bright lights
And I think that maybe tonight it's gonna happen
Ain't no use in tryin'
Between the sweat and the lovin', the whisper and the cry
Show me something real
Carry me away, baby, carry me away
I'm in love with you tonight, feels so right
Carry me away, come on, carry me away
I want to be with you, what can I do?
You've got the power, you've got the love
To take me to heaven or to lead me to heartbreak
You've got the power, you've got the love
To take me to heaven or to lead me to heartbreak
Carry me away,
The lyrics of Rick Springfield's song, "Carry Me Away", are an expression of the singer's fear of love and his desire to find a true and lasting connection with someone. The opening lines of the song suggest that he is struggling with his own thoughts and emotions, asking for help to "listen to my heart" and find his way forward. He talks of being "afraid of love" and "scared to make it right", indicating a deep-seated fear of commitment and vulnerability that has held him back in the past.
Despite his fears, the singer recognizes that this is his "last chance" at finding real love and is determined to seize the opportunity. He longs to experience the passion and intensity of a genuine connection, and pleads with his partner to "carry me away" and show him what love is all about. The lyrics are filled with images of sweat and passion, whispers and cries, and a desire to escape from the pain and disillusionment of past relationships and find something real.
Ultimately, "Carry Me Away" is a song about the transformative power of love and the fear and uncertainty that often comes with it. The singer is torn between his desire to find a deep and meaningful connection and his fear of getting hurt, but ultimately takes the leap and throws himself fully into the experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Stop, my head is playing tricks again, won't it ever stop
My mind is filled with confusion and false thoughts, and I'm starting to get overwhelmed.
Baby, help me listen to my heart and then, take me to the top
Please guide me towards my true desires and aspirations, and help me achieve my goals.
I'm afraid of love, so afraid of love, and I'm scared to make it right
I'm really scared of committing to and getting hurt by a romantic relationship, and I'm uncertain of how to approach it.
But I know tonight that it's my last chance, my last shot, At real love, and I wanna take it
I feel like this is my final opportunity to pursue true love, and I'm willing to take the risk.
Last chance, with a slow dance in the big time, and I wanna make it
This is my last opportunity to experience a special moment with you, and I want to make the most of it.
Tonight you're gonna show me what love is and why, Between the sweatin' 'n' lovin' and the whisper and the cry
This evening, you're going to show me the true meaning of love, amidst all the passionate moments and emotional outpourings.
I'm so tired of all this shit that I feel, show me something real
I'm exhausted from all the negative emotions and experiences I've had, and I'm seeking something genuine and authentic.
Carry me away, baby carry me away, I'm in love with you tonight, feels so right
Let's get away from it all and enjoy our love for each other, just for tonight.
Carry me away, come on carry me away, I wanna be with you, what can I do?
Please take me with you and let's spend more time together, as I really want to be with you.
You've got the power, you got the love, To take me to heaven or to leave me to heartbreak
You hold the strength and love to either take me to great heights or leave me broken-hearted.
I spent my life waitin' for the future and livin' in the past, Baby, show me love that I can hold on to, give me something that'll last
I've been waiting for something to change in my life, and I want you to give me a love that I can cherish and hold onto for a long time.
I'm a total wreck, but I'm up to my neck, In this love I'm in, and I can't do a thing
I'm a complete mess right now, and I'm fully immersed in love, yet I'm helpless and can't do anything about it.
It's a long shot, a far cry from a real world, me and you baby, Last chance at the slow dance, in the bright lights, and I think that maybe
Our love is a difficult and unlikely possibility in the real world, but this might be our last chance to express our love together in a special moment.
Tonight it's gonna happen, no need of tryin', Between the sweatin' 'n' lovin' and the whisper and the cry
Tonight, our love is going to become a reality, and we don't need to try too hard as it will come naturally amidst all the intimate moments.
I'm so scared of all this feeling I feel, show me something real
I'm incredibly afraid of all the intense feelings I'm experiencing, and I need you to demonstrate that our love is genuine and not just fleeting emotions.
You got the power, you got the love, To take me to heaven or to leave me to heartbreak
You hold the strength and love to either take me to great heights or leave me broken-hearted.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RICK SPRINGFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bradlewis6514
Rick Springfield's most underrated song! Working Class Dog a great LP! The parents bought this record the summer I was between third and fourth grade ('81)! Jessie's Girl was soaring up the charts due to Springfield's increasing popularity as Dr Noah Drake on General Hospital! My mom was in love with him so I don't remember her ever missing an episode of the show in those days! She was a huge daytime fan
@kimberlyyaeger6491
I need to get this off my chest about my biggest rock star singer Rick. I don't think all of the fans of Rick Springfield understand that I will always LOVE RICK AS A ROCK STAR FAN AND AS A PERSON WHO IS VERY TALENTED SINGER AND SONGWRITER. Rick is amazing and inspirational singer! I would really LOVE TO SEE RICK ON his Facebook and sing to the fans and me too! He makes me feel good inside and out! I love seeing Rick Springfield!
🎤🎸🙏🎚💝💯😟😟😟☹☹👍⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
HAPPY NEW YEAR Rick!
@jacquelinethorin112
Loved this song
@starwoman3036
I don't care if nobody else knows this song; my fav when I was 12 & still one of my favs!
@AnnikaLaurenCassidy56
Star Woman me too!
@ericgibbons7992
Know it and love it.
@nancykovack6159
I've always loved this song! I have it on my phone💙
@TJCATLOVER
Loved this song back in the day and still love it.
@ConfusedBeachChairs-xu1ph
I Keep Playing The Saxophone With our Friends In Music Class in 1ST Grade And Playing The Lyrics.
@bobertkallahan4392
Top tune!