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November 15, 2006

Inside The Rockers Studio: Rick Springfield

We've been known to ask some pretty obscure bands to do this feature (what can we say, we like 'em that way), but we're glad you joined us for a very special ITRS; your ignorance is no longer an excuse for avoidance because today we have Rick Fucking Springfield! Believe it.

Apparently Dr. Noah Drake is experiencing a renaissance of sorts, swinging with the pendulum towards an appreciation for all that is the '80s. And by EW's word, Working Class Dog is aging like fine wine; they say that "the entire album is a relentlessly catchy power-pop classic." Even PopMatters is in on the act, speaking to Rick's best-loved tune:

Worthy of its number one ranking, 1981's "Jessie's Girl" is one of those absolutely timeless, classic songs. "Jessie's Girl" is a song that everyone of the era recognizes and few will disparage for its craftsmanship. It is a rare song, like Tommy Tutone's "867-5309/Jenny" which topped the charts a year later, that is above reproach for most anything except overplay -- and is still beloved in spite of it.

And who could forget that vid? Not VH1, the leaders in all of this '80s love; they set "Jesse's Girl" at #20 on their list of that decade's greatest songs.

So if all of this is whipping you up into a Springfield fury, check this trailer for Rick's recently released live DVD "Live At Rockford." It's got all his hits, and might make your General Hospital loving mom (or dad) a very happy camper this holiday season. More info here (Amazon).

And as advertised, here are Rick's responses to the Bernard Pivot questionnaire. If you need us, we'll be trying in vain to get the riff from "Jesse's Girl" out of her heads. For the next week.

RICK FUCKING SPRINGFIELD
1. What is your favorite word?
ANTHROPOMORPHIC

2. What is your least favorite word?
POLITICIAN

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
A GLASS OF GOOD RED WINE AND A SAPPY AT&T COMMERCIAL

4. What turns you off?
JUST THE SAPPY AT&T COMMERCIAL

5. What is your favorite curse word?
GODAMMNED MOTHERFUCKER (WAIT, THAT'S TWO WORS.. FUCKIT...HEY, THAT'S ONE!)

6. What sound or noise do you love?
MY DOG SNORING

7. What sound or noise do you hate?
MY DOG FARTING

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
EGYPTOLOGY (MIDDLE KINGDOM)..QUIT LAUGHING, BITCH!

9. What profession would you not like to do?
THAT KID ON THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PODCAST WHO TANS HIDES IN A VAT OF PIGEON POO.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
"THANK GOD YOU'RE HERE. WHAT KEPT YOU SOOOOO LONG? NOW WE CAN GET THE PARTY STARTED."

Posted at 4:29 PM in ,
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14 Comments

Not relevant

Posted by: j at 11/15/06 4:41 PM | Reply
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Link not working

Posted by: jon at 11/15/06 4:56 PM | Reply
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Gummers, I'm a big defender of this here blog, but this post has a hint of "we got paid to promote a DVD we otherwise would ignore."

Though I admit I heard "Jessie's Girl" on the radio last weekend and said to my companion, "This really was a great song."

Posted by: Digit at 11/15/06 7:18 PM | Reply
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Every time I've seen OkGo they've played Jessie's Girl and it kicks ass everytime. However, does Rick Springfield really deserve an expletive in the middle of his name?

Posted by: Johnny T at 11/15/06 7:36 PM | Reply
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Fuck relevant. Try classic.

Posted by: Chuck at 11/15/06 8:33 PM | Reply
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Fucking-A (through Z) on Jessie's Girl AND 867-5309. When the Great Chord Book Of Cover Tunes For Crappy Bands To Play is released, these two songs will be on pages one and two. And more power to 'em.

Posted by: David at 11/15/06 9:50 PM | Reply
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"does Rick Springfield really deserve an expletive in the middle of his name?"

FUCK YEAH!

Posted by: Sabrina at 11/16/06 12:43 AM | Reply
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Amen Sabrina. Rick fucking Springfield is fucking awesome!

Posted by: Leanne at 11/17/06 2:47 AM | Reply
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Rick is awesome. Yeah Awesome

Posted by: Tammy at 11/24/06 7:01 PM | Reply
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Hey "Fuckit" is my fav curse word too!! I've seen da man several times...nobody rocks it like Rick!!! And look that good doin it!!

Posted by: Teri at 11/25/06 11:30 AM | Reply
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Hey "Fuckit" is my fav curse word too!! I've seen da man several times...nobody rocks it like Rick!!! And look that good doin it!!

Posted by: Teri at 11/25/06 11:31 AM | Reply
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What is wrong with me that at 37 years old I am still smitten with this Rick Springfield guy? I was crazy about him during my teens and after my thirties when I finally saw him in concert, I am still so much in love with him, even more so than I am with my own husband. What gives with this irresistable man that some of us understand
and I wouldlove to hear from you

Posted by: ALI at 12/02/06 11:06 PM | Reply
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I've seen Rick in concert four times. He has never dissapointed.

"Shock/Denial/Anger/Acceptance" from 2004 may be his best work ever.

Posted by: Frank at 12/28/06 8:39 PM | Reply
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Sad really, that "Jessie's Girl" is what this guy will be remembered for, when there are far, far better songs in his catalog!
That pop idol persona is what stopped a good musician from being more widely accepted.

Posted by: H at 04/17/07 10:32 PM | Reply
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