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.
Do You Hear What I Hear?
Rick Springfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you see what I see
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
Do you see what I see
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite
Do you hear what I hear
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,
Do you hear what I hear
A song, a song, high above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea
Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king,
Do you know what I know
In your palace warm, mighty king,
Do you know what I know
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold
Let us bring Him silver and gold
Let us bring Him silver and gold
Said the king to the people everywhere,
Listen to what I say
Pray for peace, people everywhere!
Listen to what I say
The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light
The song "Do You Hear What I Hear?" is a Christmas song written in 1962 by Noël Regney and music by Gloria Shayne Baker. The song is a call for peace during a time of war, and it is written from the perspectives of various characters in the Nativity story. The opening lyrics talk about a conversation between a little lamb and the night wind. The night wind asks the little lamb if it sees what he sees: a star with a tail as big as a kite dancing in the sky. This opening stanza sets the tone for the entire song, which is a contemplative piece inviting the listener to consider the beauty of the world around us and the importance of recognizing and celebrating the good that surrounds us even in times of darkness.
The second verse continues the conversation between the lamb and the shepherd boy. The lamb asks the boy if he hears what he hears: a song ringing through the sky with a voice as big as the sea. Here, the song moves beyond the contemplative and enters into a more active mode that invites listeners to participate in creating the world they want to live in by listening and responding to the beauty that surrounds them.
The third verse introduces the idea of bringing gifts to someone in need. The shepherd boy tells the mighty king that a child shivers in the cold, and the king responds by urging his subjects to bring silver and gold to the child. This stanza further emphasizes the idea of taking action and doing what we can to create a world of peace and kindness.
The final stanza ties the themes of the previous stanzas together, urging people to listen to the message of peace and goodwill embodied in the figure of the sleeping child. The child will bring goodness and light, the king tells his people, and it is up to us to listen and respond to that message.
Line by Line Meaning
Said the night wind to the little lamb,
The gentle wind spoke to the small lamb
Do you see what I see
Can you perceive the same thing that I do?
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
High above us, small lamb,
Do you see what I see
Do you see what I see?
A star, a star, dancing in the night
A star, a star, moving gracefully in the darkness
With a tail as big as a kite
Its long tail resembling that of a kite
Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,
The little lamb stated,
Do you hear what I hear
Do you perceive what I perceive?
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,
Echoing through the sky, young shepherd,
Do you hear what I hear
Do you hear what I hear?
A song, a song, high above the trees
A melody, a melody, up above the treetops
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as immense as the ocean
Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king,
The young shepherd told the powerful ruler,
Do you know what I know
Are you aware of what I am aware?
In your palace warm, mighty king,
Inside of your cozy palace, great king,
Do you know what I know
Do you know what I know?
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold
A young child is trembling with cold
Let us bring Him silver and gold
We should offer Him silver and gold
Said the king to the people everywhere,
The king spoke to everyone,
Listen to what I say
Hear what I am saying
Pray for peace, people everywhere!
Pray for peace, all people!
Listen to what I say
Pay attention to what I say
The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night
That child, that child, asleep in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us joy and illumination
Contributed by Anna B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@shans2300
Thank you for bringing people like me into the Christmas spirit I am your sister in the name of Jesus and I have no problem with that rick springfield sincerely Shannon
@texadonkey34
My favorite Christmas album, along with Frank Sinatra’s.😻👍. I just watched Rick on a 1970s episode of Wonder Woman. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
@shans2300
Rick springfield became my spiritual brother a long time ago when I heard the song called don't talk to strangers and he stays being my spiritual brother I pray for you and my good brothers and sisters in the lord God bless you rick springfield sincerely Shannon
@shans2300
Rick spring field that was one of my. Mothers very favorite songs sincerely Shannon
@susansmith9678
He did so good on this Christmas album
@darleneneitzke1761
I love this man and his voice♥️
@vilmagisalan5145
I love the song chrismas my idol
@barbarasobeck124
I'm a huge fan of tick Springfield since I was thirteen his music really touches me I can't wait for his new album to come out next month . I love you rick Springfield
@Droosmom1970
my favorite Christmas song by my favorite artist. Perfect!
@davobravo7984
The whole cd is truly wonderful !