Tao (album)

Tao
Studio album by
Rick Springfield
Released27 March 1985[1]
Genre
Length41:00
LabelRCA
ProducerRick Springfield, Bill Drescher
Rick Springfield chronology
Beautiful Feelings
(1984) 		Tao
(1985) 		Rock of Life
(1988)

Tao is the tenth studio album by Australian musician Rick Springfield. It was released on 27 March 1985, by RCA Records.

Production

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In the liner notes for the collector's edition CD of Tao, Springfield comments, "I was going through a major depression back then, and had been for a few years. I was spiritually lost, and finding it hard to cope with everything that was going on. Even my success was causing me pain. I couldn't come to terms with earning so much money while others were struggling to find small change even to eat. It seemed so wrong, but what could I do about it? On top of that, I had real problems dealing with my father's death. It all meant that I was in such a mess, which is why the lyrics on the "Tao" album are definitely the darkest of my career."

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]

Cash Box described the lead single "Celebrate Youth" as a "slamming rocker" and an "impassioned anthem."[3]

Track listing

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All songs written by Rick Springfield, except where noted.

  1. "Dance This World Away" (Tim Pierce, Springfield) - 4:36
  2. "Celebrate Youth" - 4:24 (the song is 3:53 followed by a 30-second outro featuring a child's voice repeating the words "who's there")
  3. "State of the Heart" (Eric McCusker, Tim Pierce, Springfield) - 4:02
  4. "Written in Rock" - 4:34
  5. "The Power of Love (The Tao of Love)" - 5:00
  6. "Walking on the Edge" - 5:09
  7. "Walk Like a Man" - 4:14
  8. "The Tao of Heaven" - 1:28
  9. "Stranger in the House" - 4:03
  10. "My Father's Chair" - 3:27

Total length: 41:02

Personnel

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  • Rick Springfield - vocals, guitar, Emulator II, DMX programs, bass, DX7, percussion, JX-3P, backing vocals
  • Mitchell Froom - Emulator II, Optigan, DX7
  • Tim Pierce - guitar, GR707
  • John Philip Shenale - ppg, OB8, DX7
  • Jeff Silverman - GR707
  • Mike Baird - drums
  • Mike Fischer - acoustic percussion
  • Pino Palladino - fretless bass
  • Nicky Hopkins - DX7, JX-3P
  • Richard Page, Edie Lehmann - backing vocals and lines on "Dance This World Away"
  • Tommy Funderburk, Tom Kelly, Mike Selfrit - backing vocals
  • Nigel Lundemo Pierce - "talking boy"
  • Produced by Rick Springfield and Bill Drescher
  • Engineered by Bill Drescher
  • Mastered by Greg Fulginiti at Artisan Sound, Hollywood

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for Tao
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[14] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Dome, Malcolm (2008). [Liner notes]. Tao (Re-Mastered Edition) [CD]. Catalog: CANDY041. Rock Candy Records.
  2. ^ AllMusic review
  3. ^ "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. 6 April 1985. p. 13. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  4. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 289. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  5. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Rick Springfield – Tao" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  6. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Rick Springfield – Tao" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  7. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Rick Springfield – Tao". Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  8. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Rick Springfield – Tao". Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  9. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Rick Springfield – Tao". Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  10. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  11. ^ "Rick Springfield Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  12. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  13. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1985". Billboard. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  14. ^ "American album certifications – Rick Springfield – Tao". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
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