From soap opera star to pop star (and how much of a difference is there between the two, anyway), Rick Springfield had a string of pop hits in the ’80s, and even got some movie roles. The soundtrack to his big starring role in Hard To Hold featured “Bop Til You Drop,” one of the single most irritating forces of nature known to man. I first heard it when I was a kid, I bought the 45, and to this day when I wake up in the morning I hear it in my skull. Perhaps it’s because of the opening line . . . “You wake up wired . . .” and the refrain . . . “The alarm rings, you gotta get up, you gotta get up!”

Here’s the video:

Corny as it is to see Rick S. in postapocalyptic Mad Max garb, this video was directed by none other than David Fincher, the genius responsible for one of my all-time favorite film adaptations, “Fight Club.” Wonder why he didn’t cast Rick in that?

Sadly, there aren’t a lot of Springy covers around out there. The OK Go cover is ubiquitous. But the Jonathan Coulton cover is priceless. JC is the genius behind “Baby Got Back,” which may be the greatest cover of all time. (In my own opinion, too.)

Jessie’s Girl-Matt Nathanson

Jessie’s Girl-OK Go

Don’t Talk to Strangers-Jonathan Coulton