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.
Woman
Rick Springfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I don't know if I mean it, I don't know if I just pretend
I make up my mind, the feeling's dead
But who's fooling who inside my head
And I know that I had the feeling that something's wrong
It's been out of my control for much too long
I always seem to want to fall in love
With the iron hand inside the velvet glove, but it feels so good
Oh woman, I need you - do you want me to beg
I lost my pride long ago - and you know it
Oh woman, I love you - when you take me to bed
My private beatings never show
Woman when you make love you close your eyes
And I don't get any closer to the mystery
Oh woman, I need you - you must be the one
Don't cut me free 'cause I can't be by myself
The voices say 'stand up', I wish that I could
I feel the nail being driven in
But there's something about it that feels so good
You're always the talk of the town
And the town won't shut up talking 'til the king is crowned
And I know that I know you like it hard and tough
There's a lot of heat and spark, but that's not enough
The actor wants to skip the final scene
Tho' the keys are in the gateway machine I just can't go
Chorus
(Solo)
And I know that I get the feeling there's something wrong
It's been out of my control for much too long
I always seem to want to fall in love
With the iron hand inside the velvet glove, but it feels so good
Chorus
Oh woman, I need you, I lost my pride long ago
Woman, when you make love you close your eyes
Oh woman, I need you... oh woman, I love you
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The song "Woman" by Ricky Springfield is a lyrics about a man’s complicated and contradictory feelings towards a woman he loves. In the initial verse, he declares that he is done with this woman, but later admits he may not mean it wholeheartedly. He is also aware of the ironies in his own behavior and the battle inside his head that he can't seem to control, which makes him question his decisions regarding this woman. Despite this inner conflict, he is still drawn to the woman's irresistible power, passion and charm that she yields, represented by the iron hand inside the velvet glove. However, deep down, he knows that he is just one of many who is drawn to her mystery and allure.
Furthermore, the lyrics in the chorus reveal the fact that the man loves the woman and, despite having lost his pride, he needs her. Yet, he is still confused about the relationship, as the woman seems emotionally unavailable, represented by the fact that she closes her eyes during lovemaking. He wishes to leave, as the voices inside his head are telling him to do so, but he cannot, as he is completely hooked on the woman, as much as the town is.
Line by Line Meaning
And I say no, no more, I can't see you again
I want to end this relationship, but I'm not sure if I truly mean it or if I'm just pretending.
But I don't know if I mean it, I don't know if I just pretend
I'm having a hard time figuring out my true feelings for you and whether I should end this relationship.
I make up my mind, the feeling's dead
I've decided to end this relationship because the strong emotions I once had for you are gone.
But who's fooling who inside my head
I'm not sure if I'm fooling myself or if you're still manipulating my thoughts and feelings.
And I know that I had the feeling that something's wrong
I have a gut feeling that something is not right in this relationship.
It's been out of my control for much too long
This relationship has been going on for too long and I feel like I have no control over it anymore.
I always seem to want to fall in love
I have a habit of always wanting to be in love, even when the relationship is not healthy.
With the iron hand inside the velvet glove, but it feels so good
You may seem gentle and loving on the outside, but there is a controlling and manipulative side to you that I find alluring.
Oh woman, I need you - do you want me to beg
I want you so badly that I'm willing to beg for your love and attention.
I lost my pride long ago - and you know it
I've already sacrificed my self-respect and dignity for this relationship, and you're fully aware of it.
Oh woman, I love you - when you take me to bed
I only feel truly loved and wanted when we are intimate and having sex.
My private beatings never show
Even though I may be emotionally struggling and hurting, I try to hide it and put on a brave face for you.
Woman when you make love you close your eyes
I feel like I'm not able to connect with you emotionally and that you're not fully invested in our physical intimacy.
And I know that I know you like it hard and tough
I understand that you enjoy assertive and dominant behavior during sex.
There's a lot of heat and spark, but that's not enough
Our physical chemistry may be strong, but it's not enough to sustain a healthy and fulfilling relationship.
Oh woman, I need you - you must be the one
You are the only one I want and need in my life.
Don't cut me free 'cause I can't be by myself
I fear being alone and am dependent on you to feel complete and happy.
The voices say 'stand up', I wish that I could
My inner voice is telling me to be strong and end this relationship, but it's difficult for me to follow through.
I feel the nail being driven in
I feel like this relationship is becoming more and more painful and difficult to sustain.
But there's something about it that feels so good
Even though this relationship may be toxic and damaging, there are still some aspects of it that I find pleasurable and addictive.
You're always the talk of the town
Everyone knows about our relationship and talks about it behind our backs.
And the town won't shut up talking 'til the king is crowned
The gossip and rumors about our relationship will continue until we either break up or stay together for good.
Tho' the keys are in the gateway machine I just can't go
Even though I have the opportunity to leave this relationship, it's difficult for me to let go and move on.
And I know that I get the feeling there's something wrong
I still have a sense that this relationship is not healthy and something needs to change.
It's been out of my control for much too long
I feel like this relationship has taken on a life of its own and I'm no longer in control of it.
I always seem to want to fall in love
Despite the difficulties and pain, I continue to fall for people and enter into relationships.
With the iron hand inside the velvet glove, but it feels so good
I'm attracted to people who have a dominant and controlling personality, even though this can lead to an unhealthy and toxic relationship.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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