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.
Stand Up
Rick Springfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Try a little bit of love
And a bit of persuasion
I heard love, plus love's
A universal equation
But don't let somebody push you 'round
You gotta stand up
Stand up
Don't sit there and pout it
Put your feet on the seat
Stand up and shout it
And don't let somebody sit you down
Stand up
You want to own the world
You want it stuffed and mounted
You can't do it sitting down
Stand up and be counted
But if you want to break the rules
Stand up
This ain't no movie theater
This ain't a classroom
Nobody's gonna tell you what to do
So come on everybody, get up
I want you
Stand up
Let's see a little upward motion
You've got to clap your hands
If you want to commotion
But don't let nobody sit you down
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Try a little bit of love
And a bit of persuasion
I heard love, plus love's
A universal equation
But don't let somebody push you 'round
You gotta Stand Up
I said don't let somebody push you 'round
Stand Up
Don't let somebody push you 'round
Stand Up
Rick Springfield's "Stand Up" is a rock song with a simple and powerful message of empowerment. The song's lyrics encourage listeners to assert themselves and stand up for what they believe in. Springfield suggests that love and persuasion are effective tools for promoting change, but that ultimately, each person must take a stand and refuse to be pushed around by others. He exhorts listeners to speak out and not let anyone silence them, urging them to be counted and not just sit idly by. The lyrics suggest that taking control of one's life is the key to success, and that standing up for oneself is the first step in achieving that goal.
The chorus, "Stand up, you got something to say...put your feet on the seat and stand up and shout it," is a call to action, encouraging anyone who feels disenfranchised or unheard to speak up and make their presence felt. The song suggests that authority figures and those in power will respect and respond to those who take a stand and refuse to be pushed around. Springfield's lyrics provide a rallying cry for those who feel like they are being held down, encouraging them to take control of their lives and their destinies.
Line by Line Meaning
Stand up
Don't be passive, take action and assert yourself.
Try a little bit of love
Use love and kindness as a means of persuasion.
And a bit of persuasion
Combine love with logical arguments to convince others.
I heard love, plus love's
A universal equation
Love is a powerful force that transcends all barriers.
But don't let somebody push you 'round
You gotta stand up
Don't let others take advantage of you or bully you. Stand up for yourself.
Stand up
You got something to say
Speak up and express yourself if you have something to say.
Don't sit there and pout it
Put your feet on the seat
Stand up and shout it
Don't sulk or stay quiet. Assert yourself and make your voice heard.
And don't let somebody sit you down
Stand up
Don't let anyone make you feel small or ignore your ideas. Stand up and assert your worth.
You want to own the world
You want it stuffed and mounted
You can't do it sitting down
Stand up and be counted
If you want to achieve great things, you can't do it from a position of laziness or inaction. Stand up and pursue your dreams.
But if you want to break the rules
Stand up
If the existing rules and norms are holding you back, don't be afraid to defy them and stand up for yourself.
This ain't no movie theater
This ain't a classroom
Nobody's gonna tell you what to do
So come on everybody, get up
I want you
Stand up
Life is not a passive experience where you can just follow directions. You have to stand up and take control of your own destiny.
Let's see a little upward motion
You've got to clap your hands
If you want to commotion
Take action and make some noise if you want to effect change and make things happen.
But don't let nobody sit you down
Stand up
Don't let others make you feel small or insignificant. Stand up and assert your own power and worth.
I said don't let somebody push you 'round
Stand Up
Don't let somebody push you 'round
Stand Up
Repeat of the main message: don't be a passive victim. Stand up and assert yourself.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GEORGE WALLACE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind