Rock of Life should not be confused with Rock for Life.
| Rock of Life | |
| Type: | Studio |
| Artist: | Rick Springfield |
| Cover: | Rock-Of-Life-(album).jpg |
| Released: | February 1988 |
| Genre: | Pop rock, power pop |
| Length: | 45:53 |
| Label: | RCA |
| Producer: | Rick Springfield |
| Prev Title: | Tao |
| Prev Year: | 1985 |
| Next Title: | Karma |
| Next Year: | 1999 |
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.
The title track, however, was a successful single, reaching No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100.[1] 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.[2]
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.
All songs written by Rick Springfield, except where noted.
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.
| Chart (1988) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Albums Chart) | 65 | |
| United States (Billboard 200) | 55 |
Music Performance
Production; Creative; Other