Aussie rock legend's worldwide smash hit mangled by US hosts
Perhaps the only three people on the planet who didn't know where embarrassingly all hosts on the hugely popular US Today show — and they welcomed the Aussie singer by belting his worldwide massive hit.
Except Savannah Guthrie, Jenna Bush Hager and Kaylee Hartung's rendition of 867-5309/Jenny wasn't Rick Springfield smash song.
It was another 1980s chart-topper by Tommy Tutone.
Fellow co-hosts Al Roker and Craig Melvin quickly pointed out the gaffe, with Springfield quipping: 'Very close.'
In fact, the 75-year-old's famous hit was Jessie's Girl. Rick Springfield's guest appearance on US Today was full of awkward moments. Credit: NBC
But just when viewers thought the interview couldn't get anymore awkward, it took another sticky turn.
Talking about how Jessie's Girl had changed his life, Springfield stopped part way through and called out Melvin, who he was talking to on a couch along with Roker and Jill Martin.
'It's really taken on a life of its own after I recorded it and put it out,' Springfield said during the interview on Thursday.
'You can't really plan anything like that and you can't really foresee anything like that — that just happened.'
He then paused before asking Melvin, who looked to have yawned: 'Am I boring you?'
'No, no, no, not at all, Rick. I apologise. It was a cough,' Melvin replied with a nervous laugh. Host Craig Melvin seemed to yawn mid-interview. Credit: NBC Rick Springfield asked Craig is he was getting 'bored'. Credit: NBC
In good humour, Springfield laughed it off and reassured Melvin: 'Dude, it's early. Don't worry about it. I'll probably yawn too.'
More laughs were had later in the interview when Melvin questioned the singer about a brain injury he received after a fall onstage in 2000.
Springfield looked blank, before replying: 'I'm sorry, what?'
The joke prompted Roker to crack up: 'I like this guy!'
Melvin was so impressed with Springfield's good humour that he invited him back on the show.
'Rick Springfield, I had no idea you were so funny,' he said. 'Come back, come back anytime.
'He has vaulted into the top five of favourite guests.'
Despite the gaffes, Springfield took to social media to tell what a fun time he'd also had on the show.
'Had a fun time with the gang at @todayshow this morning!' he captioned a picture on Instagram. Rick Springfield said that he had a 'fun time' on the show in an Instagram post. Credit: Instagram
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