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 Man That Never Was
Rick Springfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't say that I like her face.
Carved up on a silver platter,
Served warm she's a real head case.
I won't wait for an invitation,
I can't stay for the sacrifice.
I won't die as an unknown soldier,
I won't even try.
Sometimes you make me play the fool,
Sometimes you use me like a tool,
You are the the whip the drives the mule,
But I brings the goods right back to you.
You break my back,
You break my balls,
You break my heart,
Just because.
Sometimes you make me feel like,
Just like the man that never was.
Just like
Just like
Just like the man that never was.
I drown in a mixed emotion,
Washed up on a foreign shore.
Face down in the salty ocean,
Meet me there, I don't care,
Anywhere is no where.
I fly right and I know she loves me,
I fly wrong and I'm DOA.
I'm bombed out like an old cathedral,
And I'm blown away.
Sometimes you make me play the fool,
Sometimes you use me like a tool,
You are the whip that the drives the mule,
But I bring the goods right back to you.
You break my back,
You break my balls,
You break my heart,
Just because.
Sometimes you make me feel like,
Just like the man that never was.
Just like
Just like
Just like the man that never was.
Just like,
Just like,
Just like the man that never was.
Made your mark then
"Nice to know you",
You were never loved.
We have so much more in common,
Just like
Just like
Just like the man that never was.
Just like the man that never was.
Just like
Just like
Just like the man that never was.
I am
I am
I am the man that never was.
The lyrics of Rick Springfield's song The Man That Never Was describe the struggles of a man in a toxic relationship, where his partner dominates and mistreats him. The opening lines express his dislike and disapproval of her manners and face. He feels that his partner is like a head case, served warm on a silver platter, which means that she is quickly angered and reacts harshly to the slightest provocation. He doesn't want to wait for an invitation or sacrifice himself more in this relationship; he doesn't want to die without recognition or purpose, as an unknown soldier. In the chorus, he compares himself to the man that never was, that is, someone who never existed, someone who is unrecognized and invisible to society's standards. He feels that his partner often makes him feel like a fool, using him like a tool, breaking his back, balls, and heart just because she can.
The second verse of the song begins with him expressing his emotions, feeling lost and abandoned, washed up on a foreign shore. He tries to cope with the relationship by flying in the right direction, where he thinks his partner loves him, but if he makes a mistake, he might be dead on arrival (DOA). He feels bombed out, and like an old cathedral, he's blown away, indicating that the relationship has consumed too much of him. The chorus repeats, and in the bridge, he sings about how his partner has made her mark, and now she knows it's time to go. He feels that they have so much more in common, both of them are made to feel like the man that never was.
Overall, The Man That Never Was is a song that talks about the struggles of an abusive relationship, where one partner dominates and controls the other. Rick Springfield's powerful lyrics and rock sound provide a warning message for those in relationships that can be emotional and physically abusive.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't say that I like her manners,
I dislike her behavior.
I can't say that I like her face.
I find her physically unattractive.
Carved up on a silver platter,
She's been put on display for all to see.
Served warm she's a real head case.
She's unstable and difficult to deal with.
I won't wait for an invitation,
I won't wait for permission.
I can't stay for the sacrifice.
I can't afford to stay and endure the consequences.
I won't die as an unknown soldier,
I won't be forgotten.
I won't even try.
I won't bother with it.
Sometimes you make me play the fool,
I feel foolish because of your actions.
Sometimes you use me like a tool,
You manipulate me to serve your needs.
You are the the whip the drives the mule,
You control the situation, I just follow.
But I brings the goods right back to you.
I still manage to deliver what you want.
You break my back,
You make me work hard.
You break my balls,
You annoy and frustrate me.
You break my heart,
You hurt me emotionally.
Just because.
Without any apparent reason.
Sometimes you make me feel like,
You make me feel as if I don't exist.
Just like the man that never was.
Like someone who is invisible and ignored.
I drown in a mixed emotion,
I feel overwhelmed with various feelings.
Washed up on a foreign shore.
I feel isolated and unfamiliar with my surroundings.
Face down in the salty ocean,
I feel helpless, vulnerable, and alone.
Meet me there, I don't care,
Regardless of the danger or hardship, I'm willing to face it.
Anywhere is no where.
Everywhere feels the same, I can't escape.
I fly right and I know she loves me,
When I'm doing well, I know she cares for me.
I fly wrong and I'm DOA.
When I make mistakes, I suffer greatly.
I'm bombed out like an old cathedral,
I'm devastated like a ruined building.
And I'm blown away.
I'm overwhelmed with emotions.
Made your mark then "Nice to know you",
You've left your impact and moved on without a care.
You were never loved.
You never had anyone who truly cared for you.
We have so much more in common,
We share similar experiences and feelings.
Just like the man that never was.
Like someone who is forgotten and overlooked.
I am the man that never was.
I'm a person who feels invisible and insignificant.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHRIS SHIFLETT, DAVID GROHL, MATT BISSONETTE, PAT SMEAR, RICK SPRINGFIELD, TAYLOR HAWKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@smokinjz
I can't say that I like her manners,
I can't say that I like her face.
Carved up on a silver platter,
Served warm she's a real head case.
I won't wait for an invitation,
I can't stay for the sacrifice.
I won't die as an unknown soldier,
I won't even try.
Sometimes you make me play the fool,
Sometimes you use me like a tool,
You are the the whip the drives the mule,
But I brings the goods right back to you.
You break my back,
You break my balls,
You break my heart,
Just because.
Sometimes you make me feel like,
Just like the man that never was.
Just like
Just like
Just like the man that never was.
I drown in a mixed emotion,
Washed up on a foreign shore.
Face down in the salty ocean,
Meet me there, I don't care,
Anywhere is no where.
I fly right and I know she loves me,
I fly wrong and I'm DOA.
I'm bombed out like an old cathedral,
And I'm blown away.
Sometimes you make me play the fool,
Sometimes you use me like a tool,
You are the whip that the drives the mule,
But I bring the goods right back to you.
You break my back,
You break my balls,
You break my heart,
Just because.
Sometimes you make me feel like,
Just like the man that never was.
Just like
Just like
Just like the man that never was.
Just like,
Just like,
Just like the man that never was.
Made your mark then
"Nice to know you",
You were never loved.
We have so much more in common,
Just like
Just like
Just like the man that never was.
Just like the man that never was.
Just like
Just like
Just like the man that never was.
I am
I am
I am the man that never was.
@gcmotorman6379
It's awesome to hear Rick Springfield rocking again. He is every bit still relevant. I called him on TV a few years ago and learned that he was battling depression. I wish you all the best and hope that he's conquered that beast. He's worked a lot harder than many people realize and for many many years. And you got to admit the guy looks great to be his age
@Rikitocker
People saying this sounds like a Foo's track need to realize that Dave grew up listening to music that was like this from people like Rick! This is all about paying hommage to people like Rick Springfield and the vibe that that music brought - it was the early 80's blend of pop punk edge found in top 40 back then. I know cause I was there ...
@peterzang
Rick has been around since the 70s. Writes great songs and plays great. It was the General Hospital thing that turned some people off. The guy needed money. And it's not like he was robbing gas stations!
@Rikitocker
Peter Gerstenzang Rick was also in the very first episode of Battlestar Galactica playing Apollo's brother Zac ... he is killed by the Cylons in the first ep - he was great in it too!
@peterzang
Rikitocker I like the guy, what can I say. Except....Right on Rikitocker!
@Rikitocker
Peter Gerstenzang Me too Peter ... music back then was great - the Top 40 had a great guitar based edge to it - bands like Elvis Costello and XTC etc, great times for music ... oh and The Cars etc.
@peterzang
Rikitocker Absolutely correct. Hard rockin' but with melody.
@dddlll2471
this is a great track .... big up Rick an 80s pop legend
@atreb56
Rick always rocks. Love this song. Gives his all at concerts. Love Rick and Foo Fighters.
@randylegend8909
Foo Fighters with Rick Springfield.....play with all you got and leave it all on the field!!!! Excellent!!!!