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.
I'm Your Superman
Rick Springfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm your superman
Oh, yes I am
I may not be as fast as a shot from a gun
And stoppin' locomotives ain't my idea of fun
And I don't have the magic to fly through the air
And when you're near me, I'm like someone new
I even feel real bulletproof too
Na, na, na, na, na
I'm your superman
Oh, yes I am
I am not super strong, I have no super sight
I'm not afraid of being in kryptonite
And I don't have the magic to fly through the air
I can feel it when you are there
And when you're near me, I'm like someone new
I even feel real bulletproof too
Na, na, na, na, na
I'm your superman
Oh, yes I am
The lyrics of "I'm Your Superman" by Rick Springfield refer to the enduring power of love in making an individual feel like they possess superhero-like qualities. The first stanza admits that the singer does not possess the traditional characteristics of Superman, such as the ability to fly or stop locomotives. However, the song highlights that when the love interest is around, he feels transformed, like someone new, with superhuman abilities. He feels bulletproof and unafraid of kryptonite or any other adversary.
The chorus further emphasises the singer's confidence in his relationship; he believes he is the woman's Superman and that she relies on him to be her protector. Although he doesn't have the typical qualities associated with a superhero, he can feel the power and strength that love has given him when he is by her side. By using the phrase "I'm your Superman", he is showing that he considers himself to be a powerful, reliable figure in the woman's life, someone who will lift her up and protect her no matter what happens.
Overall, the lyrics of "I'm Your Superman" highlight the transformative power of love, which can make even ordinary people feel like they possess superhero-like qualities, like strength, invincibility, and above all, love and protection.
Line by Line Meaning
Na, na, na, na, na
The singer is expressing exuberance and playfulness.
I'm your superman
The singer is saying that he is capable of providing strength and support to the person he is addressing.
Oh, yes I am
The singer is affirming his earlier statement that he is the addressee's 'superman.'
I may not be as fast as a shot from a gun
The singer is acknowledging that he doesn't possess the kind of speed that is commonly associated with superheroes.
And stoppin' locomotives ain't my idea of fun
The singer is saying that feats of brute strength are not something he is particularly interested in doing.
And I don't have the magic to fly through the air
The singer is admitting he lacks a magical ability that is often associated with superheroes.
I can feel it when you are there
The singer is saying that he is able to sense when the person he is addressing is present.
And when you're near me, I'm like someone new
The singer is saying that he feels rejuvenated and transformed when he is in the presence of the person he is addressing.
I even feel real bulletproof too
The singer is expressing how confident he feels when the person he loves is with him, as though he can overcome any obstacle.
I am not super strong, I have no super sight
The singer is acknowledging that he lasks the physical abilities of a superhero.
I'm not afraid of being in kryptonite
The singer seems to suggest that he's not afraid of facing his weaknesses or vulnerabilities.
And I don't have the magic to fly through the air
The singer is repeating that he doesn't have a magical ability that is commonly associated with superheroes.
Na, na, na, na, na
The singer is, once again, expressing exuberance.
I'm your superman
The singer reiterates that he is the addressee's 'superman,' emphasizing his role as a source of support and strength.
Oh, yes I am
The singer reaffirms his earlier statements with a sense of conviction.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RICK SPRINGFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind