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.
Jessies Girl
Rick Springfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know he's been a good friend of mine
But lately something's changed that ain't hard to define
Jessie's got himself a girl and I want to make her mine
And she's watching him with those eyes
And she's loving him with that body, I just know it
Yeah 'n' he's holding her in his arms late, late at night
You know
I wish that I had Jessie's girl
I wish that I had Jessie's girl
Where can I find a woman like that
I play along with the charade
There doesn't seem to be a reason to change
You know, I feel so dirty when they start talking cute
I wanna tell her that I love her
But the point is probably moot
'Cause she's watching him with those eyes
And she's loving him with that body, I just know it
And he's holding her in his arms late, late at night
You know
I wish that I had Jessie's girl
I wish that I had Jessie's girl
Where can I find a woman like that
Like Jessie's girl
I wish that I had Jessie's girl
Where can I find a woman
Where can I find a woman like that
And I'm looking in the mirror all the time
Wondering what she don't see in me
I've been funny, I've been cool with the lines
Ain't that the way love supposed to be
Tell me, where can I find a woman like that
You know, I wish that I had Jessie's girl
I wish that I had Jessie's girl
I want Jessie's girl
Where can I find a woman like that
Like Jessie's girl
I wish that I had Jessie's girl
I want, I want Jessie's girl
"Jessie's Girl" is a classic 80s pop rock song by Rick Springfield. The song tells the story of a man who is infatuated with his friend Jessie's girlfriend and wishes he could have her. The lyrics illustrate the frustration and longing of the singer who can’t help but admire her even though he knows it's wrong. Throughout the song, the singer describes his admiration for Jessie’s girlfriend as she watches him with her eyes and loves him with her body. He's envious of Jessie who gets to hold her in his arms late at night. The lyrics show how the singer is constantly comparing himself to Jessie and wondering what he has that he doesn't. He wishes he could find a woman like her, but he knows deep down that it's not possible.
Throughout the song, the singer feels stuck in his own predicament. He plays along with the charade because he doesn’t want to cause any trouble, despite feeling dirty when they start talking cute. As he looks at himself in the mirror, he wonders what she doesn't see in him even though he's tried so hard to be cool and funny. The song’s punchy chorus, "I wish that I had Jessie's Girl, where can I find a woman like that?" is repeated several times, and it captures the essence of the song.
“Jessie’s Girl” was released in 1981 and became an instant hit, peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It’s considered to be Springfield’s biggest career hit and won the 1982 Grammy Award for "Best Male Rock Vocal Performance." This iconic song has been covered by many musicians over the years, including Glee, Foo Fighters, and Kidz Bop. It’s still being played on the radio today and is often referenced in popular culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Jessie is a friend, yeah
Jessie is someone I know and consider a friend
I know he's been a good friend of mine
I have a history with Jessie and know him as a reliable friend
But lately something's changed that ain't hard to define
Recently, I've noticed a shift in our dynamic that's difficult to put into words
Jessie's got himself a girl and I want to make her mine
Jessie has a new girlfriend, but I'm attracted to her and would like to pursue her romantically
And she's watching him with those eyes
The girl I'm interested in is observing Jessie intently
And she's loving him with that body, I just know it
I am certain that this girl is physically and emotionally invested in Jessie
Yeah 'n' he's holding her in his arms late, late at night
There are times when Jessie comforts his girlfriend physically at late hours
I play along with the charade
I pretend to be okay with the situation and continue to act friendly towards Jessie and his girlfriend
There doesn't seem to be a reason to change
I don't see a clear motive to alter my behavior and be honest with the girl about my feelings
You know, I feel so dirty when they start talking cute
When Jessie and his girlfriend display affection and use pet names, I feel guilty for wanting what he has
I wanna tell her that I love her
I desire to express my feelings of love to the girl that Jessie is dating
But the point is probably moot
However, it's likely that my confession won't make a difference or change the outcome
And I'm looking in the mirror all the time
I'm constantly self-reflecting and wondering what I need to do to become the type of man that this girl desires
Wondering what she don't see in me
I'm curious about the qualities that the girl values that I may be lacking
I've been funny, I've been cool with the lines
I've tried to impress the girl with humor and smooth lines
Ain't that the way love supposed to be
This is what one is supposed to do to pursue love
Tell me, where can I find a woman like that
I want to know where I can meet a woman who possesses the same desirable qualities as Jessie's girlfriend
I want Jessie's girl
My longing to have Jessies's girlfriend as my own is immense
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cashyobm778
You guys realize we are literally witnessing history with delaney's comments
@jayoz9583
Yes! She's so close!
Or he. What's a Delaney anyway?
A: A fan of Jessies Girl.
@Bianca-oq7zi
LMAO YEAH
@-reyda
Lol, it's everywhere
@Gabbybriii
wow
@datboi.66
Delaney needs to be on r/madlads
@KrabbyLama
Get yourself a man/woman who's as committed to you as Delaney is to this beautiful song.
@andystone9655
Right!
@mlawyer2135
Yesss😂
@MsHSpring
😂