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.
Free And Easy
Rick Springfield Lyrics
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No one around us, there's just you and me
Alone on an island, asleep on the shore
Miles from everyone, I need nothing more
And I'm feeling Free & Easy, and I'm feeling Free & Easy
And I'm feeling Free & Easy, just knowing that your there
We wake in the morning, we walk by the shore
We float on the ocean, we drift in the sea
The water surrounds us, so easy and free
And I'm feeling Free & Easy, and I'm feeling Free & Easy
And I'm feeling Free & Easy, just knowing that your there
We float on the ocean, we drift in the sea
The water surrounds us, so easy and free
And I'm feeling Free & Easy, and I'm feeling Free & Easy
And I'm feeling Free & Easy, just knowing that your there
And I'm feeling Free & Easy, and I'm feeling Free & Easy
And I'm feeling Free & Easy, just knowing that your there
The lyrics to Rick Springfield's "Free and Easy" describe a sense of peace and contentment that is only possible when you are alone with someone you care about in a serene, natural setting. The first verse paints a picture of being lost at sea with a companion, but feeling completely at peace in each other's company. The sense of isolation and distance from civilization only adds to the feeling of freedom and ease.
The second verse describes waking up together on the shore of an uninhabited island and taking a walk, reveling in the beauty and tranquility of the natural environment. The chorus reinforces the feeling of freedom and ease that comes with being alone in nature with someone you love. The repetition of the phrase "just knowing that you're there" reinforces the importance of companionship and connection, even in the midst of solitude.
Line by Line Meaning
Afloat on the ocean, adrift in the sea
We're surrounded by water, with no land in sight as we float aimlessly in the middle of the ocean, unsure of where we're headed.
No one around us, there's just you and me
We're completely isolated with no other people around - just the two of us together in this vast expanse of ocean.
Alone on an island, asleep on the shore
We've found a deserted island where we can rest and take a break from our ocean adventure, enjoying the peace and quiet of being alone in nature.
Miles from everyone, I need nothing more
Even though we're far away from civilization and anyone else, I feel perfectly content and happy with just your company.
And I'm feeling Free & Easy, and I'm feeling Free & Easy
I feel absolutely liberated and carefree with no worries or stress - just enjoying the moment and the freedom of being out in nature.
just knowing that your there
The presence of the other person is what makes the moment so special and enjoyable - knowing that I have someone I care about with me makes everything better.
We wake in the morning, we walk by the shore
After a peaceful night's sleep on the deserted island, we start the day by taking a leisurely walk along the beautiful beach.
The water surrounds us, so easy and free
The ocean is like a second home to us, and we feel completely at ease as we float along, surrounded by the cool, refreshing water and the beautiful scenery.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RICK SPRINGFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind