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.
Living in Oz
Rick Springfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I remember having dreams of grandeur
I was gonna be someone, I know what I want
Everybody played second best
And I held you back just like all the rest
I think I got what I want
Everybody's got to fight their demons
And you know I had to fight mine, too
It took a lot out of me, it took a lot out of you
To be living in oz, living in oz
Sometimes the dream can wake you
Living oz, living in oz
Sometimes the dream can shock you, too
All the money that I spend on you
Doesn't mean a thing if the love's not true
Baby please, I'll get what you want
Can't you tell me you and me ain't lost
I know what I did, I know what it cost
Now I'm yours and I've got what you want
All the fightin' will have been for nothin'
If at the end I can't have you
I'll throw it all away if that's what you want me to do
Living in oz, living in oz
Sometimes the dream can wake you
Living in oz, living in oz
Sometimes the dream can shake you, too
Funny how desire can burn you up inside
And make you commit emotional suicide
Everybody's got the desire to leave their mark
Some just do it over a trail of broken hearts
And all the people that protect and serve
would disappear if the well dried up
I'm thirsty for affection
Let me drink from your loving cup
Living in oz, living in oz
Sometimes the dream can shock you
Living in oz, living in oz
Sometimes the dream can rock you
Living in oz, living in oz
Sometimes the dream can shake you
Living in oz, living in oz
Sometimes the dream can wake you, too
In "Living in Oz," Rick Springfield reflects on the struggles and sacrifices involved in achieving his dreams of success and fame. As a child, he always envisioned himself as someone special, but he soon realized that the path to greatness was fraught with obstacles and pitfalls. He acknowledges that he may have held others back in his pursuit of success, but he feels that he has ultimately achieved what he set out to do.
The chorus of the song, which repeats the phrase "living in oz," is a metaphor for the pursuit of one's dreams. The land of Oz is a mythical place of wonder and enchantment, but it is also a place of danger and uncertainty. Similarly, the pursuit of one's dreams can be exhilarating and fulfilling, but it can also be fraught with risks and challenges. Springfield acknowledges that the pursuit of fame and success can be both exhilarating and terrifying, and that the dream can both wake and shock you.
The lyrics also touch on themes of love and sacrifice. Springfield recognizes that true love cannot be bought with money, and that his pursuit of fame may have come at the cost of his relationships. He is willing to give up everything for the person he loves, including his dreams of success and fame, if that is what it takes to be with them. At the same time, he acknowledges that the pursuit of success is a powerful desire that can consume a person, leading them to commit what he calls "emotional suicide."
Overall, "Living in Oz" is a reflective and introspective song that explores the complexities and contradictions of pursuing one's dreams. Its lyrics touch on themes of sacrifice, love, and the struggles and rewards of the pursuit of success.
Line by Line Meaning
Ever since I was a kid
As a child, I had aspirations and fantasies forming in my imagination.
I remember having dreams of grandeur
I had incredible dreams for myself, surpassing what is ordinary or mediocre.
I was gonna be someone, I know what I want
I have always known what I wanted to be in life and that I would stand out from the masses.
Everybody played second best
In my life, those who have been with me have had to be in second place to my ambitions and objectives.
And I held you back just like all the rest
I was a hindrance to you and others in achieving their dreams, just as I was with myself.
I think I got what I want
Having succeeded in my goals, I have accomplished my desires.
Everybody's got to fight their demons
Everyone has to confront their inner struggles and battles.
And you know I had to fight mine, too
I too had fights to contend with to achieve what I wanted.
It took a lot out of me, it took a lot out of you
I and others had to put in significant effort and dedication to persevere through those battles.
To be living in oz, living in oz
To be living in this utopian and idealistic world that I had envisioned for myself.
Sometimes the dream can wake you
Sometimes this dream-life can be an excellent opportunity or an awakening experience.
Living oz, living in oz
Living in this magnificent, dream-like state.
Sometimes the dream can shock you, too
It can also be surprising, uncomfortable or disconcerting.
All the money that I spend on you
Regardless of how much material wealth I offer to you.
Doesn't mean a thing if the love's not true
None of it counts if we don't share a sincere love.
Baby please, I'll get what you want
My promise that I'll provide you with everything that you desire.
Can't you tell me you and me ain't lost
Can't you assure me that we are still together in this relationship despite everything.
I know what I did, I know what it cost
I acknowledge that I am aware of my past mistakes that led to the price we had to pay.
Now I'm yours and I've got what you want
Now I belong to you completely and have given you what was most important for you.
All the fightin' will have been for nothin'
All the conflicts that we have had between us would have been inconsequential.
If at the end I can't have you
If I can't end up with you at the end of this.
I'll throw it all away if that's what you want me to do
I am ready to give up everything just for your sake.
Funny how desire can burn you up inside
It's strange how deep longing has the power to consume you entirely from the inside.
And make you commit emotional suicide
It can end up being devastating – an emotional suicide.
Everybody's got the desire to leave their mark
Everyone has the urge to leave their legacy – a mark in the world that will live on after them.
Some just do it over a trail of broken hearts
But some people become heart breakers as they go, without any remorse.
And all the people that protect and serve
And all those who protect and defend their clients.
would disappear if the well dried up
Would lose their work and opportunities if they stop being of help to their clients.
I'm thirsty for affection
I am longing for a warm display of love and fondness.
Let me drink from your loving cup
Give me the chance to feed off your intimate love and affection.
Sometimes the dream can shock you
Being in this dream state can throw you off balance when unexpected things occur.
Sometimes the dream can rock you
Being in that dreamy state can be disorienting, like being rocked off balance.
Sometimes the dream can shake you
Being in that dream state can rattle you and leave you feeling wary.
Sometimes the dream can wake you, too
But being in that same dream state can be thrilling and enlightening at the same time.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RICK SPRINGFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind