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.
Just One Look
Rick Springfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In love with you oh, oh
And I found out just how good it feels, feels, feels
To have your love oh, oh
So you will will be mine, mine, mine
Forever and always oh, oh
Just one look and I knew, knew, knew
I thought I was dreaming but I was wrong yeah, yeah
But I'm gonna keep on scheming 'til I can make you, make you
My own
So you see, I really care, care, care
Without you I'm nothing oh, oh
Just one look and I know, oh, oh
I'll get you someday
That's all it took, yeah
Just one look that's all it took, yeah
The lyrics of Rick Springfield’s song Just One Look describe the instantaneous nature of falling in love. The singer characterizes his feelings as “all, all, all” while surrounded by feelings of being “in love with you oh, oh.” The lyrics go on to suggest that the singer’s love is reciprocated – “And I found out just how good it feels, feels, feels / To have your love oh, oh.” The repetition of “oh, oh” throughout the song adds emphasis and weight to the deep infatuation the singer feels.
The second verse of the song portrays a shift in focus, as the singer becomes singularly focused on making this person his own. While recognizing that in the past he may have been “dreaming” and “wrong,” the singer is determined to “keep on scheming ‘til I can make you, make you my own.” The persistence of the singer underlines his love for this person, and the final verse of the song is devoted to expressing this devotion – “So you see, I really care, care, care / Without you I'm nothing oh, oh / Just one look and I know, oh, oh / I'll get you someday.”
Overall, Rick Springfield’s Just One Look is a song about the overwhelming power of love, infatuation, and devotion. The repetition of the words “all” and “oh” throughout the song help to accentuate the deep emotions that the singer is expressing, and the focus on making this person his own are emblematic of the singer’s commitment to this love.
Line by Line Meaning
Just one look and I felt so all, all, all
From the moment I saw you, I was completely and deeply enamored with you. Your presence filled my heart with happiness and warmth.
In love with you oh, oh
I fell in love with you, and the very thought of you made everything in my life feel brighter and more meaningful.
And I found out just how good it feels, feels, feels
Being with you made me realize how wonderful love can be. You showed me how to feel deeply, passionately, and wholeheartedly.
To have your love oh, oh
Being loved by you was an amazing experience. Your affection was everything to me, and being around you made me feel so happy and fulfilled.
So you will will be mine, mine, mine
I want to be with you forever, to hold you close and cherish you always. I want to make a commitment to you, to be together no matter what happens.
Forever and always oh, oh
I want us to be together for the long haul, to build a life full of love, happiness, and security. I'll always be here for you, no matter what.
Just one look and I knew, knew, knew
The moment I saw you, I had the sense that we were meant to be together. Our connection was so strong and undeniable, and I knew that we had something special.
That you were my only one oh, oh
You're the only person for me, the only one I want to be with. I'm devoted to you, and I'll always put you first in my heart and in my life.
I thought I was dreaming but I was wrong yeah, yeah
At first, I couldn't believe that someone as amazing as you could exist. I thought I might be imagining you or that it was too good to be true. But you were real, and you were even more wonderful than I could have dreamed.
But I'm gonna keep on scheming 'til I can make you, make you
I'll do whatever it takes to win your heart and make you mine. I'll make plans, make moves, and make changes to be the person you want and the partner you need.
My own
I want you to be mine, to belong to me and stay by my side. I want to share my life with you and build a future together.
So you see, I really care, care, care
I care about you deeply, more than anything else in the world. Your happiness is my top priority, and I'll do all in my power to support and love you.
Without you I'm nothing oh, oh
You're the center of my world, the light that guides me through life. Without you, everything feels empty and meaningless. You mean so much to me.
Just one look and I know, oh, oh
Whenever I think of you or see your face, I feel an instant sense of closeness and tenderness. You have a special power over me, and I'll always be drawn to you.
I'll get you someday
No matter what obstacles we face or how long it takes, I'm determined to win your heart and be with you. I know that we're meant to be together, and I'll never stop trying.
That's all it took, yeah
All it took was one look, one chance encounter, to change my life forever. You came into my life and made everything brighter, more exciting, and more meaningful.
Just one look that's all it took, yeah
Our connection was immediate and powerful, and it all started with just one look. That glance set in motion a chain of events that led us to where we are today, and I'm grateful for every moment of it.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Doris Payne, Gregory Carroll
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind