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

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

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.