Rick Springfield ‎– Beginnings (1972)


Label:  Capitol Records
Format:  Vinyl, LP
Country:  US
Released:  1972
Genre:  Rock
Style:  Pop Rock


So named because it was the beginning of Rick Springfield's solo career, Beginnings abandons the heavier rock of Zoot for a dreamier pop pitched partway between the lusher tunes of the Beatles and introspective folk-rock that followed Bob Dylan, all wrapped up in a tidy, pretty bow. Naturally, the greatest exception to this rule is the hit, the sprightly "Speak to the Sky" that turned into a one-shot wonder, but it has some competition in the barreling bubblegum of "Come on Everybody" and "Hooky Jo." This pure pop is surrounded by ambitiously orchestrated introspective pop, anchored somewhat by the glam boogie closer "The Ballad of Annie Goodbody." Whether it's soft or spangly, this all sounds like its time and while that's one of the primary attractions of Beginnings, it also points the way to much of what Springfield did later, particularly in how he obscures his easy way with a hook by emphasizing sobriety over fun. So, in that sense, Beginnings is a true beginning to Rick Springfield's career. 


Track List:

1. Mother Can You Carry Me
2. Speak To The Sky
3. What Would The Children Think
4. 1000 Years
5. The Unhappy Ending (Lead Me On)
6. Hooky Jo
7. I Didn't Mean To Love You
8. Come On Everybody
9. Why
10. The Ballad Of Annie Goodbody



Producer – Robie Porter
Written-By – Rick Springfield