| "Jessie's Girl" | ||
|---|---|---|
Sleeve to the single "Jessie's Girl"
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| Single by Rick Springfield from the album Working Class Dog | ||
| A-side | "Jessie's Girl" | |
| B-side | Carry Me Away | |
| Released | 1981 | |
| Format | 7" single | |
| Genre | Rock | |
| Length | 3:15 | |
| Label | RCA | |
| Writer | Rick Springfield | |
| Producer | Keith Olsen | |
| Audio sample | ||
| Image:Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield.oggInfo (helpยทinfo) | ||
"Jessie's Girl" is a rock song written and performed by pop singer Rick Springfield. It was released on the album Working Class Dog. Soon after its release in 1981, the song became an instant hit, and later won Springfield a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. The song is about unrequited love, and is centered around a man in love with his best friend's girlfriend (see below for story behind the song). While some try to highlight deeper symbolic meanings of the piece, most enjoy it for its catchy tune and memorable lyrics.
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Story behind the song
Rick was taking a stained glass class along with "Jessie" and his girlfriend. Springfield wanted to use the name of the friend he was actually singing about (Gary), but instead decided to go with a different name. He happened to see a girl in a softball jersey with the name "Jessie" on it, and he changed the name from Gary to Jessie, and recorded the song. "Jessie's Girl" herself is thought to be former model and actress Diana Davidson, now a mother of two who lives in Vermont. This song was featured in the 1997 film Boogie Nights. It was also featured in the 2004 film 13 Going on 30. Jessie's Girl remains a staple of "retro" FM radio stations and has gained further popularity on the back of the recent "eighties revival" trend. Jessie is a friend, yeah I know he's been a good friend of mine But lately something's changed That ain't hard to define Jessie's got himself a girl And I want to make her mine And she's watching him with those eyes And she's lovin' him with that body I just know it Yeah 'n' he's holding her in his arms Late, late at night You 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 play along with the charade there doesn't seem to be a reason to change You know, I feel so dirty When they start talking cute I wanna tell her that I love her But the point is probably mute 'Cos she's watching him with those eyes And she's lovin' him with that body I just know it And he's holding her in his arms Late, late at night You 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 Wondering what she don't see in me I've been funny I've been cool with the lines Ain't that the way love supposed to be
Instrumental Interlude ----
Tell me, where can I find a woman like that
Instrumental Interlude ----
You know, I wish that I had Jessie's girl I wish that I had Jessie's girl I want Jessie's girl Where can I find a woman like that Like Jessie's girl I wish that I had Jessie's girl I want, I want Jessie's girl
Credits
- Produced by Keith Olsen
- Engineered by Chris Minto at Sound City
- Mastered by Greg Fulginiti at Artisan Sound Recorders
Covers
- In 2004, it was remade by the band Frickin' A, on their debut album Big Egos...No Ideas. In a twist, Rick Springfield made a special appearance in their music video.
- Everclear have also paid tribute to the longevity of the song's popularity by recording a live cover version of the song.
- Korea Girl have covered this song as a hidden track at the end of the Japanese release of their self titled album.
Legacy
The popular Canadian teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation, which is known for naming each episode after an 80s hit song, named an episode after this song.
| Preceded by "The One That You Love" by Air Supply | Billboard Hot 100 number one single August 1 1981 - August 8 1981 | Succeeded by "Endless Love" by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie |
