Rick Springfield is best known for hits like “Jesse’s Girl” but one of my favorite songs that he did was his tribute to his dad called “My Father’s Chair”. It’s such a personal song about the painful impact the family experienced when Rick’s father passed away just as Rick was about to explode with massive success in 1981.

The song is another reminder for us all to appreciate our loved ones while we can. Whether you’re a son, daughter or a parent. We all need to remember how precious this time is together and never squander any moments.

It’s amazing how every day inanimate objects like a chair as in this song can become so powerfully emotional and comforting. The ending of the song is the best part of all. Truly a beautiful song that not too many people ever heard before. It’s a shame because I bet you that it’s one of Rick Springfield’s most important songs he’s ever written or performed.

Here’s the recorded version

My Father’s Chair still standing there
All alone since the long night
Now it’s three years on and I still feel
He’ll come home, we’ll be alright

So where’s this healing time brings
I was told the pain would ease
But it still hurts like the first night

That night my brother, my mother and I
Were looking up at a distant star
And wishing we could reach that far
And back in the house
And alone for the first time
We told each other we cared
We avoided My Father’s Chair

I watch my family, we hold on
We are strong and we’ll be alright
The clock continues counting down, all the while
And every child will share the long night

But do the spirits meet again
Why am I still so filled with doubt
Is my soul everlasting

And the far distant future
When I knew you’d be gone
Came too fast and stays too long
Why do they leave the weak of spirit
And take the strong

When the world turns sour
And I get sick from the smell
And I can’t find no comfort there
I climb into My Father’s Chair