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.
The Light of Love
Rick Springfield Lyrics
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Coming from the cold and chilly L.A. night
And when we get to the gate, baby
All of the things that were said
Will they turn you 'round and bring you back?
Will they bring you back?
Will you come back home 'cause you know I'm waiting?
The light of love is always on
You know my love is getting stronger and stronger
The light of love is always on
Keeping the night watch
Baby, are you lonely, don't talk to strangers
I'm trying to tell myself you won't be gone for long
And when we get to the part where all of the tears start to come
Will you turn around, get on the plane?
Will it bring you back, will you come back home?
'Cause you know I'm waiting
The light of love is always on
You know my love is getting stronger and stronger
The light of love is always on
Keeping the night watch
The light of love is always on
The light of love is always on
You know my love is getting stronger and stronger
The light of love is always on
Keeping the night watch
The light of love is always on
You know my love is getting stronger and stronger
The light of love is always on Keeping the night watch
Keeping the night watch
Keeping the night watch
"The Light of Love" by Rick Springfield is a song about longing and waiting for the return of a loved one. The lyrics depict the scene of the singer waiting at an airport terminal, possibly waiting for someone who has left him. The setting of the cold and chilly L.A. night adds to the atmosphere of loneliness and melancholy. The singer wonders if the things that were said before the departure will keep the loved one from returning. He questions if the person will come back home because he is waiting, having the light of love on.
The phrase "the light of love is always on" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's persistence in waiting and hoping for the return of his loved one. The lyrics also suggest that the singer is aware of the possibility that the loved one might not return, as he advises against talking to strangers and reminds the loved one that he won't be gone for long. Nevertheless, he still holds hope for a reunion with his loved one. The music itself adds to the emotion of the lyrics, with the guitar and drums giving a slightly mournful yet uplifting sound.
Line by Line Meaning
Standing at the terminal I can almost hear the music
Despite the cold and lonely L.A. night, there is hope that everything will work out and the music symbolizes that hope.
And when we get to the gate, baby All of the things that were said Will they turn you 'round and bring you back? Will they bring you back? Will you come back home 'cause you know I'm waiting?
The singer wonders if the things that were said in the past will push the listener away again or if they will choose to come back home and be with him/her.
The light of love is always on You know my love is getting stronger and stronger The light of love is always on Keeping the night watch
The singer's love is unconditional and he will always be there, keeping a watchful eye and waiting for the loved one to return.
Baby, are you lonely, don't talk to strangers I'm trying to tell myself you won't be gone for long
The artist is worried that the loved one will be lonely and vulnerable when away and advises not to talk to strangers while also convincing himself that the separation won't be long.
And when we get to the part where all of the tears start to come Will you turn around, get on the plane? Will it bring you back, will you come back home? 'Cause you know I'm waiting
The artist again expresses his hope that the loved one will return and questions whether seeing each other cry will make any difference.
You know my love is getting stronger and stronger The light of love is always on Keeping the night watch Keeping the night watch Keeping the night watch
Reassuringly, the singer tells the loved one that his love is not diminishing but growing stronger and he will always be there, keeping watch until the loved one's return.
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