Guitar & Bass Tabs
Rick Springfield
About Rick Springfield
Rick Springfield, born Richard Lewis Springthorpe in 1949 in Melbourne, Australia, built a career across Australia and the United States as a singer, guitarist, and songwriter. He cut his teeth in the Australian pop-rock scene with the band Zoot in the late 1960s and early 1970s before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a solo career. His early records blended razor-sharp melodies with punchy guitar riffs, setting the template for the glossy, hook-heavy rock that would define the early 80s. His international presence grew as his songs crossed from radio to MTV and film soundtracks, making him a go-to voice for melodic rock with a strong guitar backbone.
Rick Springfield's breakthrough hit, Jessie’s Girl (1981), was a No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 single and earned the Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance in 1982. The track’s unmistakable guitar hook and upbeat energy captured the mood of the era, helping to define early 80s rock. Beyond music, Springfield became a familiar face on television as Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital from 1981 to 1983, widening his audience and influence. Over decades, his work has remained a touchstone for melodic, guitar-driven rock—an enduring voice of the pop-rock intersection that shaped a generation.
🎸 Want to know what gear Rick Springfield used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
Watch the Lesson
Jessie's Girl
Rick Springfield
View Tab →Playing Style
Springfield’s playing style sits at the intersection of pop-hooked rock and straight-ahead power chords. His rhythm parts are tight and guitar-forward, often driving verses with clean to lightly overdriven tones and bright, memorable riffs. Common techniques include straightforward power chords, palm muting for punchy verse sections, and melodic single-note lines that sit atop the groove. He frequently uses chorus-based tones to achieve that shimmering 80s texture, with tasteful bends and compact phrasing that keeps the vocal melody front and center. What makes his sound unique is the way simple, singable guitar parts perfectly support infectious hooks and high-energy choruses, a hallmark of classic rock radio.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Iconic gear associated with Rick Springfield centers on a Fender Stratocaster—often used to deliver his bright, jangly clean tones and punchy bridge moments. His live rig has leaned toward tube-driven amps (traditionally something like a Fender Twin Reverb or other clean-sounding amp) to achieve that glassy clean tone with just enough edge. For texture, many performances incorporate chorus and light overdrive (think Boss CE-2 Chorus and similar pedals) along with a phase/ modulation touch (MXR Phase 90) to widen rhythm guitar parts without overpowering the vocal line.
Why Learn Rick Springfield Songs?
Learning Rick Springfield songs gives you a solid path into classic rock that balances catchy melodies with guitar-driven energy. The material typically features approachable chord progressions, memorable riffs, and tight rhythm parts that train your timing, palm muting, and tone control without overwhelming you with complexity. It’s a great way to develop a clean, assertive rhythm guitar feel, improve your sense of dynamics between verses and choruses, and build confidence in performing pop-rock tunes that translated across radio and TV in the 80s.
Did You Know?
- 1Born Richard Lewis Springthorpe in Melbourne, Australia, he later adopted the stage name Rick Springfield.
- 2He was a member of the Australian band Zoot in the early 1970s before pursuing a solo career in the United States.
- 3Jessie's Girl won the Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance in 1982 and topped the Billboard Hot 100.
- 4He played Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital from 1981 to 1983, expanding his fame beyond music.
1 Rick Springfield lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
Frequently Asked Questions
If You Like Rick Springfield, You'll Love...
Check out guitar and bass tabs from these similar classic rock artists: