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Rick Springfield – ëƵSongs for the End of the WorldëƵ

By Clint Rhodes weekend Magazine Music 2 min read
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To many casual music fans, Rick Springfield is considered a one-hit wonder.

In 1981, ëƵJessieëƵs GirlëƵ hit the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 from the 1981 album ëƵWorking Class Dog.ëƵ That release also featured the single ëƵIëƵve Done Everything for You,ëƵ written by Sammy Hagar.

With the help of his heartthrob role as Dr. Noah Drake on the soap opera ëƵGeneral Hospital,ëƵ as well as his music videos exposure on the newly launched MTV, the Australian actor/musician went on to sell over 25 million albums.

IëƵll admit that I lost track of SpringfieldëƵs career after my college years, but Springfield has been steadily cranking out solid albums over the last 30 years.

His latest release, the first since 2008ëƵs ëƵVenus in Overdrive,ëƵ is a guitar-driven collection of muscular melodies about relationships in a complicated and confusing world.

ëƵYou buy the whole seat, but you only need the edge,ëƵ is an old saying the aptly describes SpringfieldëƵs latest material. Songs like ëƵWide Awake,ëƵ ëƵOur ShipëƵs SinkingëƵ and ëƵLove Screws Me UpëƵ ring of infectious power pop, complemented by SpringfieldëƵs poignant lyrics and sweeping hooks. Springfield collaborated with bass player Matt Bissonette on all the new material while enlisting the help of John Waite and Mr. MisterëƵs Richard Page on backup vocals, as well as his original guitarist Tim Pierce, who hasnëƵt played with Springfield since 1999ëƵs ëƵKarma.ëƵ

For the rousing rocker ëƵI Hate Myself,ëƵ Springfield asked fans to submit videos of themselves singing along, using the actual fan voices on the album. Displaying his keen sense of humor for creative album cover designs, such as using his dog dressed in a business shirt and tie for his ëƵWorking Class DogëƵ cover, Springfield offers four versions of the album cover art each with a different cover and bonus content.

Springfield still performs 100 live shows a year, with a scheduled stop at GreensburgëƵs Palace Theatre Oct. 25. ëƵSo good to see your friendly face,ëƵ sings Springfield on the opening track. With ëƵSongs for the End of the World,ëƵ it is good to see a friendly face and a familiar voice providing an illuminating ray of light in a sometimes dark world.

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