Rock of Life

Last updated

Rock of Life
Rock-Of-Life-(album).jpg
Studio album by
Rick Springfield
ReleasedFebruary 1988
Genre Pop rock, power pop
Length45:53
Label RCA
Producer Rick Springfield
Rick Springfield chronology
Tao
(1985)		Rock of Life
(1988)		 Karma
(1999)
Rick Springfield chronology
Tao
(1985)		Rock of Life
(1988)		 Greatest Hits
(1989)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]

Rock of Life is the 11th studio album by Australian singer-songwriter Rick Springfield, issued by RCA Records in 1988. The record peaked at a modest No. 55 on the Billboard album chart, selling approximately 350,000 copies in United States. It was the least successful of Springfield's RCA album releases.

Contents

The title track, however, was a successful single, reaching No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100. [2] A second single, "Honeymoon in Beirut" was Springfield's only single not to chart in Billboard's Hot 100 during his eight years on the label. Both singles were the only songs on the album to receive music video treatment. Despite the album's underperformance on the charts, it still remains a fan favorite to this day for many.

The album was produced by Keith Olsen and tracks were completed at:

Photography for the album was done by Phillip Dixon.

This album was Springfield's last album of new material for RCA Records. Although not a commercial success, Rock of Life did garner some positive reviews from critics. People reviewer Ralph Novak pointed out that "even [Springfield's] standard romantic tunes get away from romantic cliches."

The album was released 3 years after 1985's Tao, which also featured more dark and introspective lyrics than Springfield's fans were used to. This hiatus was due to Springfield taking time off to focus on his growing family. He has also stated that he suffered from major writer's block in this period, as well as mental/emotional health struggles. The album's notoriously dark lyrics reflect Springfield's emotional struggles during this time.

A rough demo of the title track can be heard on youtube. The demo is dated back to 1986. Randy Jackson of Journey and American Idol fame plays bass guitar on the album. Springfield's longtime guitarist, Tim Pierce, also appears, as does frequent collaborator, Richard Page of Mr. Mister. The album is noteworthy for its heavy use of horns, which are not prominent, if at all present on the majority of Springfield's records.

Plans to tour behind Rock of Life, which would have been a comeback tour of sorts, were cut short after Springfield badly injured himself in a near-fatal motorcycle accident. Not able to tour and still suffering from writer's block, Springfield took a break from his music career to spend more time with his wife and children, as well as to focus on his acting career. He would not release another solo album for 11 years, though he did release a group album in 1997 with Sahara Snow.

Cash Box called the title track a "ballsy, reggae-like track that nearly tears apart the speakers" with influences from Sting and Peter Gabriel. [3]

The album features a cover of "(If You Think You're) Groovy," by P.P. Arnold and Small Faces. Springfield's oldest son, Liam Springthorpe, is audible in the last seconds of the track. "World Start Turning," is specifically about Springfield's battle with depression. The song was re-recorded with a live orchestra for Springfield's 2019 release, Orchestrating My Life. A live version of "Rock of Life," appears on the 2001 live compilation album, The Greatest Hits... Alive.

Track listing

All songs written by Rick Springfield, except where noted.

  1. "Rock of Life" - 3:52
  2. "Honeymoon in Beirut" - 4:28
  3. "World Start Turning" - 5:41
  4. "One Reason (To Believe)" - 4:05
  5. "Soul to Soul" - 4:46
  6. "Tear It All Down" - 4:17
  7. "Woman" - 5:53
  8. "Dream in Colour" (Springfield, Jeff Silverman) - 4:32
  9. "Hold On to Your Dream" - 4:38
  10. "(If You Think You're) Groovy" (Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane) - 4:00

Total length: 45:53

"The Language of Love" was the B-side to "Rock of Life," but was not featured on the album's official release.

Charts

Chart (1988)Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Albums Chart)65
United States (Billboard 200)55

Personnel

Music Performance

Production; Creative; Other

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Working Class Dog</i> 1981 studio album by Rick Springfield

Working Class Dog is the fifth studio album by Australian rock musician Rick Springfield, released by RCA Records in 1981. The album was certified Platinum in the United States and eventually sold over three million US copies. It produced Springfield's biggest career hit with the #1 million-selling song, "Jessie's Girl". Springfield was awarded the 1982 Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male.

<i>Elvis Country (Im 10,000 Years Old)</i> 1971 studio album by Elvis Presley

Elvis Country is the thirteenth studio album by American singer and musician Elvis Presley, released on RCA Records in January 1971. Recorded at RCA Studio B in Nashville, it reached number 12 on the Billboard 200. It peaked at number six in the United Kingdom, selling over one million copies worldwide. It was certified Gold on December 1, 1977, by the Recording Industry Association of America.

<i>Bad Attitude</i> (album) 1984 studio album by Meat Loaf

Bad Attitude is the fourth studio album by American singer Meat Loaf, released in November 1984. Recorded in Britain, it features two songs by Jim Steinman, both previously recorded, and a duet with Roger Daltrey. According to Meat Loaf's autobiography, he approached Steinman about writing the entire album, but waiting for new songs wound up taking so long that Meat Loaf recorded two previously released Steinman songs and moved on with other writers. The album concentrates more on the hard rock side of Meat Loaf, was a minor success around the globe and contained a few hit singles, the most successful being "Modern Girl".

<i>New Harvest...First Gathering</i> 1977 studio album by Dolly Parton

New Harvest...First Gathering is the eighteenth solo studio album by American entertainer Dolly Parton. It was released on February 14, 1977, by RCA Victor. It is significant for being Parton's first self-produced album, as well as her first effort aimed specifically at the pop charts.

<i>Success Hasnt Spoiled Me Yet</i> 1982 studio album by Rick Springfield

Success Hasn't Spoiled Me Yet is the sixth studio album by Australian rock musician Rick Springfield, released by RCA Records in 1982. The album was certified platinum in the United States, and produced three top 40 singles: "Don't Talk to Strangers", "What Kind of Fool Am I" and "I Get Excited" (No. 32). "Don't Talk to Strangers" and "Calling All Girls" also received considerable album rock airplay, charting at No. 11 and No. 4 respectively.

<i>Living in Oz</i> 1983 studio album by Rick Springfield

Living in Oz is the seventh studio album by Australian rock musician Rick Springfield, released on 30 March 1983, by RCA Records. The album was quickly certified platinum in America.

<i>Silk Electric</i> 1982 studio album by Diana Ross

Silk Electric is the thirteenth studio album by American R&B singer Diana Ross, released on September 10, 1982, by RCA Records. It was Ross' second of six albums released by the label during the decade. It reached No. 27 on the US Billboard 200, No. 33 in the UK Albums Chart and the Top 20 in Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands. The album cover was designed by Andy Warhol.

<i>Ross</i> (1983 album) 1983 studio album by Diana Ross

Ross is the fourteenth studio album by American R&B singer Diana Ross, released on June 9, 1983, by RCA Records. It was Ross' third of six albums released by the label during the decade. It was released shortly before Ross gave a pair of free concerts in New York's Central Park. The album peaked at No. 32 on the US charts, No. 14 on the US R&B charts and No. 44 in the UK. The album's highest international chart position was in Sweden, where it reached No. 7.

<i>Living All Alone</i> 1986 studio album by Phyllis Hyman

Living All Alone is the seventh album by American soul singer-songwriter Phyllis Hyman. It was released by Philadelphia International Records in 1986. The album contains the title track, which peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard R&B singles chart and has become one of Hyman's most well-known hits.

<i>Dannys Song</i> (album) 1973 studio album by Anne Murray

Danny's Song is the eighth studio album by Canadian country pop artist Anne Murray, released in 1973 via Capitol Records. It was produced and arranged by Brian Ahern for Happy Sack Productions. Tracks 6–10 were recorded live at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. The album peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and number 39 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart.

<i>Hot Together</i> 1986 studio album by Pointer Sisters

Hot Together is the title of the twelfth studio album by the Pointer Sisters released in October 1986 by RCA Records.

<i>Tao</i> (album) 1985 studio album by Rick Springfield

Tao is the tenth studio album by Australian musician Rick Springfield. It was released on 27 March 1985, by RCA Records.

<i>Aretha</i> (1986 album) 1986 studio album by Aretha Franklin

Aretha is the thirty-first studio album by American singer Aretha Franklin, originally released on October 27, 1986, by Arista Records. It is the third album with the Aretha title to be released by Franklin, following her 1961 album and 1980 album.

<i>Sedakas Back</i> 1974 compilation album by Neil Sedaka

Sedaka's Back is a compilation album by American singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka. The record, composed of selections from his previous three albums, which had been released only in the UK, was released on Elton John's label, The Rocket Record Company, in 1974. Three singles were released from this album: "Laughter in the Rain", "The Immigrant" and "That's When the Music Takes Me." The latter two songs were both Top 40 hits. Also included were songs that were turned into hits by other artists: "Solitaire" and "Love Will Keep Us Together". The album reached No. 23 on the US Billboard album charts and was certified Gold for shipping half a million sales.

<i>Love Song</i> (Anne Murray album) 1974 studio album by Anne Murray

Love Song is the ninth studio album by Canadian country pop artist Anne Murray released in 1974 via Capitol Records. It peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart and the title track won a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.

<i>Hard to Hold</i> 1984 soundtrack album by Rick Springfield

Hard to Hold is the eighth studio album by Rick Springfield released in March 1984, by RCA Records as the soundtrack to the film of the same name. The album includes the U.S. Top 5 hit "Love Somebody", Top 40 hits "Don't Walk Away" and "Bop 'Til You Drop", plus minor hit "Taxi Dancing". In addition to Springfield appearing on the soundtrack, there are three tracks from other artists; "When The Lights Go Down" by Graham Parker, "Heart Of A Woman" by Nona Hendryx, and a live version of "I Go Swimming" by Peter Gabriel. The album was later remastered by Steve Hoffman for the Razor and Tie reissue label.

<i>The Heart of the Matter</i> (Kenny Rogers album) 1985 studio album by Kenny Rogers

The Heart of the Matter is the seventeenth studio album by American singer Kenny Rogers, released by RCA Records in 1985. It was Rogers' eleventh album to reach #1 on Billboard's Country albums chart and certified Gold by the RIAA. It peaked at #51 on the US Billboard 200 and was produced by George Martin.

<i>I Prefer the Moonlight</i> 1987 studio album by Kenny Rogers

I Prefer the Moonlight is the twentieth studio album by American country music singer Kenny Rogers, released in 1987. The album was Rogers' final studio album for RCA Records. It peaked at number 18 on the US country charts and number 163 in the Billboard 200. It contained three top five singles: the title track, the Grammy-winning duet with Ronnie Milsap, "Make No Mistake, She's Mine" and "The Factory".

<i>Back to the Grindstone</i> 1991 studio album by Ronnie Milsap

Back to the Grindstone is the twentieth studio album by American country music artist Ronnie Milsap, released on March 12, 1991. The album produced four singles, three of which reached the top ten on the Billboard country singles chart, including "Are You Lovin' Me Like I'm Lovin' You," "Since I Don't Have You," a cover of The Skyliners' 1958 standard and "Turn That Radio On." The fourth single, "All Is Fair in Love and War" peaked at number 11. Milsap produced the album with Rob Galbraith, with further assistance from Richard Landis on "Since I Don't Have You".

<i>Playlist: The Very Best of Rick Springfield</i>

Playlist: The Very Best Of Rick Springfield is a compilation album by Rick Springfield, released by RCA Records in 2008. This collection was originally released with the title We Are the '80s in 2006 but was re-released with the "Playlist" title in 2008, containing the same songs and running order. Both are essentially an upgrade to Springfield's similar Greatest Hits (1989), adding two additional tracks.

References

  1. ↑ Allmusic review
  2. ↑ "Rock of Life – Rick Springfield". All Music Guide . Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  3. ↑ "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. 30 January 1988. p. 10. Retrieved 6 November 2022.



This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.