American Songwriter

Rick Springfield’s First Big Hit? It Isn’t What You Think

Quick, name Rick Springfield’s first Top 40 hit. Dollars to donuts, you quickly replied “Jessie’s Girl”, the 1981 hit that rocketed him to stardom and helped define the sound of the early 80s pop ...

The 1981 power-pop tune inspired by the Kinks that became a hit thanks to a daytime soap opera

Rick Springfield says his classic cut was influenced by “You Really Got Me.” But it was his TV career that gave it the boost it needed ...