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.
It's Driving Me Crazy
Rick Springfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's driving me crazy
I don't know where I stand, there's just too many people around
It's driving me crazy
I just don't understand, I'm looking but I'm making no ground
It's driving me crazy
But I know that there's no need to worry, gonna get yaThough they tell me there's no need to hurry, got to run me down
It's driving me crazy
I don't know where I stand, there's just too many people around
It's driving me crazy
I just don't understand, I'm looking but I'm making no ground
It's driving me crazy
If you see me, you'd better start runnin', better run run
'Cause I'm telling you I'll be out guarding, gonna run you down
It's driving me crazy, it's driving me crazy
It's driving me crazy, it's driving me crazy, it's driving me crazy
It's driving me crazy
I don't know where I stand, there's just too many people around
It's driving me crazy
I just don't understand, I'm looking but I'm making no ground
It's driving me crazy
It's driving me crazy, it's driving me crazy, it's driving me crazy
Crazy, crazy, oooh, oooh, crazy, crazy, ooooh oooh,
Crazy, crazy, oooh ooooh, I'm going crazy, crazy...
The song "It's Driving Me Crazy" by Rick Springfield speaks about the frustration and confusion that the singer is going through due to the overwhelming circumstances around him. The chorus repeatedly emphasizes the phrase, "It's driving me crazy," which portrays the level of mental pressure and anxiety that the singer is experiencing. In the first verse, he expresses confusion about his social standing and the number of people around him, which adds to his anxiety. He mentions that he is "looking but making no ground," which suggests that he is struggling to make progress in his social life.
However, the second verse brings a ray of hope as the singer mentions that he is going to "get ya" and chase down the people around him. He promises to be on guard and chase down those who are causing this mental turmoil. It can be interpreted as the singer taking control of his life and not letting the circumstances dictate him.
Overall, the song highlights the anxiety and confusion that people go through when there is a lot of chaos and noise around them. It urges people to take control of their lives and not let the current surroundings bring them down.
Line by Line Meaning
It's driving me crazy!
The situation that I am in is causing me extreme and unbearable levels of stress and anxiety.
I don't know where I stand, there's just too many people around
I am confused and uncertain about my position or status because of the overwhelming number of individuals or factors involved.
I just don't understand, I'm looking but I'm making no ground
Despite my efforts to comprehend or make progress, I am not getting anywhere and feel stuck or powerless.
But I know that there's no need to worry, gonna get ya
Despite my fear or doubt, I am confident that I will succeed or overcome obstacles and achieve my goals or objectives.
Though they tell me there's no need to hurry, got to run me down
Even though others may advise me to slow down or take it easy, I am compelled to keep moving forward and chase after what I want.
If you see me, you'd better start runnin', better run run
If you encounter me, you should be prepared to flee or defend yourself because I am determined and unstoppable in my pursuit.
'Cause I'm telling you I'll be out guarding, gonna run you down
I am warning you that I am vigilant and watching for any opportunity to catch up to you and surpass you.
It's driving me crazy, it's driving me crazy
The situation continues to cause me intense distress and is taking a toll on my mental and emotional well-being.
Crazy, crazy, oooh, oooh, crazy, crazy, ooooh oooh,
My feelings of insanity or madness are mounting and I am struggling to cope or maintain control.
Crazy, crazy, oooh ooooh, I'm going crazy, crazy...
My state of mind is deteriorating and I am becoming more and more unhinged or irrational.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RICK SPRINGFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind