Rev. Colleen Irwin

Rick Springfield Through the Tarot: Love, Desire, and Inner Conflict

Rick Springfield’s music blends power pop, rock, and new wave, delivering catchy melodies and emotionally charged lyrics. His songs often explore themes of romantic obsession, jealousy, desire, and personal struggles. With such passionate and introspective storytelling, his music naturally connects with the Tarot.  I may be dating myself here, but I first discovered Rick Springfield on General Hospital when I was in High School.

General Tarot Connections

Springfield’s lyrical themes align with various Tarot archetypes and suits. His songs frequently focus on emotions, relationships, and love, making the Cups suit a natural fit. Many of his lyrics explore the themes of obsession, temptation, and unhealthy attachments, which strongly connect to The Devil card. Conflict, jealousy, and emotional struggles are recurring motifs, aligning with the Five of Swords. His music often delves into hidden emotions, illusions, and uncertainty, resonating with The Moon. Additionally, feelings of regret, longing, and emotional loss frequently appear in his ballads, making the Five of Cups another significant connection.

Rick Springfield’s Music Through the Tarot

“Jessie’s Girl” – The Devil and Five of Swords

Themes: Obsession, jealousy, longing, and forbidden desire.

• The Devil: The narrator is consumed by his desire for Jessie’s girl, caught in an unhealthy cycle of longing and frustration.
• Five of Swords: The theme of jealousy and unfulfilled desire creates inner conflict and tension.
• The Moon: Hidden desires and the inability to act on feelings add a layer of illusion.

Why it works: The Devil captures the song’s obsession, while the Five of Swords and The Moon highlight the conflict and emotional turmoil.

“Affair of the Heart” – Lovers Reversed and The Devil

Themes: Passion, intensity, and temptation.

• Lovers Reversed: Suggests imbalance and consequences in a relationship driven by passion rather than love.
• The Devil: The allure of temptation and the inability to resist a powerful attraction.
• The Moon: The secrecy and uncertainty of an illicit affair.

Why it works: This song embodies the thrill and danger of forbidden love, perfectly reflected in these cards.

“Human Touch” – Two of Cups and The Empress

Themes: The need for emotional and physical connection.

• Two of Cups: Represents emotional intimacy and a desire for connection.
• The Empress: Nurturing and sensual energy, embodying the longing for closeness.
• Four of Wands: A celebration of unity and connection.

Why it works: This song captures the deep yearning for love and warmth, aligning well with these cards.

“I Get Excited” – The Fool and Eight of Wands

Themes: Anticipation, impulsivity, and new beginnings.

• The Fool: Represents spontaneity, excitement, and jumping into something new without hesitation.
• Eight of Wands: The rush of passion and movement towards something thrilling.
• Three of Wands: Anticipation and looking toward the future.

Why it works: This song’s energy is all about rushing headfirst into love, which aligns well with the impulsive Fool and the fast-moving Eight of Wands.

“Don’t Talk to Strangers” – Five of Swords and The Moon

Themes: Jealousy, suspicion, and fear of betrayal.

• Five of Swords: Reflects the paranoia and jealousy fueling the song.
• Seven of Swords: Represents deception and mistrust.
• Nine of Swords: Anxiety and fear of losing someone.

Why it works: This song captures insecurity and suspicion, which fit the themes of deception and conflict in these Tarot cards.

“Love Somebody” – Star Reversed and Devil Reversed

Themes: Longing for love and overcoming emotional struggles.

• Star Reversed: A sense of hopelessness or feeling disconnected.
• Devil Reversed: The desire to break free from negative emotional patterns.

Why it works: This song speaks to overcoming struggles and seeking true love, aligning with the reversed Devil and Star.

“I’ve Done Everything for You” – Ten of Swords and Five of Cups

Themes: Sacrifice, unrequited love, and feeling unappreciated.

• Ten of Swords: A painful ending and feelings of betrayal.
• Five of Cups: Regret and disappointment in love.
• Devil Reversed: Breaking free from an unbalanced situation.

Why it works: The sorrow and frustration of this song perfectly reflect these Tarot themes of heartbreak and realization.

“Lose Myself” – Lovers Reversed and The Moon

Themes: Surrender, vulnerability, and emotional conflict.

• Lovers Reversed: A complex relationship with uncertainty and imbalance.
• The Moon: Hidden emotions and being lost in overwhelming feelings.
• Eight of Cups: Walking away from a situation to find clarity.

Why it works: This song reflects deep emotional struggle, aligning with these introspective and challenging Tarot cards.

“Down” – Ten of Swords and Four of Swords Reversed

Themes: Despair, emotional pain, and inner turmoil.

• Ten of Swords: Represents emotional rock bottom.
• Nine of Swords: Anxiety and sleepless nights filled with worry.
• Four of Swords Reversed: Restlessness and struggling to find peace.

Why it works: This song captures a moment of emotional collapse and the inability to heal, fitting these dark yet powerful Tarot cards.

Rick Springfield’s music is filled with emotional depth, raw passion, and intense conflicts, making it a fascinating study through the lens of Tarot. His songs embody both the light and shadow aspects of love and longing, drawing strong connections to the Devil, The Moon, and the struggles of the Five of Swords and Five of Cups. His music serves as a reminder that love, desire, and heartache are all part of the human experience, much like the lessons of the Tarot.

Do you see any new Tarot connections in his music? Share your thoughts!

You can find other Singers/Songwriters in this Series here.