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In 1981, Reagan received a hollowpoint handshake from Hinckley, Raiders of the Lost Ark was on the big screen, and Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl" was no. 4 on the Billboard charts, ranking no. 1 for the month of August. On the surface, you get another pop ditty that packed the floor at Skate Country, but a few depths below lies a dark, seedy subtext that's creepier than that guy who was caught beating off in the theater while watching Cocoon. If you listen closely to "Jessie's Girl," you realize that Rick's obsessive condition parallels the type of mentality commonly associated with a warped persona. Not only is Springfield obsessed with this woman, but she's a good friend's girl! If there was a sequel to this song, I guarantee it would deal with how Rick kidnaps and tortures the aforementioned woman. It's not difficult to imagine her picture plastered all over his bedroom walls, probably alongside photos of Facts of Life's Mindy Cohn. There's also that memorable line in the song when Springfield states "she's lovin' him with that body, I just know it." You can't help but picture Rick peeking in through his friend's window, breathing heavily with his pants around his ankles, while fertilizing some flowers (which might end up in some old lady's vase).
I realize that using his video as evidence is a tough call, because most videos are conceived by people other than the song writers, but if it were connected, I think there are some serious links to his mental instability. The fact that he smashes his own mirror, for example, is a little bit extreme for someone of his age. I remember pining away for girls who wouldn't go out with me, but I never resorted to sensationalistic self-inflicted destruction. Sure, I mailed a dead hamster or two with forks jammed into their tiny hearts, but I'm not crazy enough to vandalize my own home! You must also keep in mind that Rick was a heartthrob back in the '80's, so he'd have no trouble getting any girl he wanted; Unless, of course, there was something creepy about him...the kind of creepy we associate with porno-distributing clowns, mimes that cuss at handicapped women, and children with Tickle Me Keitel dolls. I think you get the point.
I know, I know, it's just a song, and I shouldn't be "reading too much into it." Unfortunately, I can't help but dwell on how Chuck Manson didn't take part in some of the killings he was incarcerated for, yet he's still credited for inspiring them. In my opinion, Rick glamorized his deranged obsessions, and America's youth embraced him like a guy in a Bullwinkle outfit with a concealed Uzi. Next time, I want to discuss this so called "video" that killed the radio star. I have my theory....
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Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield
Jessie is a friend Yeah I know, he's been a good friend of mine.
But lately somethin's changed, it ain't hard to define.
Jessie's got himself a girl, and I wanna make her mine.
And she's watchin' him with those eyes. And she's lovin' him with that body, I just know it.
And he's holdin' her in his arms, late late at night.
Y'know, I wish that I had Jessie's girl. I wish that I had Jessie's girl
Where can I find a woman like that?
I'll play along with the charade. There doesn't seem to be a reason to change.
Y'know I feel so dirty when they start talkin' cute.
I wanna tell her that I love her, but the point is prob'ly moot'.
Cause she's watchin' him with those eyes. And she's lovin' him with that body, I just know it.
And he's holdin' her in his arms, late late at night.
Y'know I wish that I had Jessie's girl. I wish that I had Jessie's girl.
Where can I find a woman like that? Like Jessie's girl. I wish that I had Jessie's girl.
Where can I find a woman. Where can I find a woman like that?
And I'm lookin' in the mirror all the time. Wond'rin' what she don't see in me.
Yeah I've been funny I've been cool with the lines. Ain't that the way love's supposed to be?
Tell me, where can I find a woman like that?
Y'know I wish that I had Jessie's girl. I wish that I had Jessie's girl.
Where can I find a woman like that? Like Jessie's girl. I wish that I had Jessie's girl.
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