They began recording during the mid-80s, picking up the name 'Baseball Boys' as a reference from a gang of hooligans from the cult film 'The Warriors'. Changing things around to 'The Outfield', perhaps a hint of their later American success due to their affinity for U.S. culture, they released their first album, titled 'Play Deep', in 1985 through Columbia Records. Picking up critical acclaim for their melodic rock sound, the album reached #9 on the Billboard 200 list and ended up reaching triple platinum status in America. As remarked by an Allmusic reviewer, the band had a knack for making "a harmonious chorus that is overly smooth and rock savvy." Their single "Your Love" reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as #7 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart, and it soon became their 'signature song. It has went on to be featured in a number of 80s-themed compilation albums, and over a thousand covers and remixes by other artists have been released physically and/or online. Other singles "Say It Isn't So" and "Everytime You Cry" also made it into the top 20 on Mainstream Rock chart.
Though possibly peaking too early, the band continued to record and tour through the 80s and then into the early 90s as the Anglo-American pop rock and power pop scenes evolved. While their second album, titled 'Bangin'', hit the top 20 on the Billboard 200 list had both singles hit the top 40 on the Mainstream Rock chart, the group began losing their popular audience by their third album, 'Voices of Babylon', came out in 1989. Though receiving critical acclaim, the rock mainstream seemed to have shifted considerably underneath them. Drummer Alan Jackman left, and, now as a duo, they recorded 'Diamond Days' in 1991. After the disappointing response to their 1992 album 'Rockeye', which represented a shift towards progressive rock and arena rock, the group essentially disbanded for much of the 90s.
They resumed touring in 1998, and thereafter the band released two live albums via their website. The group's comeback album, 'Any Time Now', was released by Sidewinder Records in March 2006 and constituted a comeback to their traditional pop rock sound. In mid-2009, the Outfield entered a London studio to begin recording their seventh studio album. Titled 'Replay', it saw a June 28, 2011 release, with the band's cult following enjoying deliberately retro sounding songs such as "California Sun". Their music popping up in various places (from Katy Perry recording a Outfield cover titled "Use Your Love" to the 'Grand Theft Auto: Vice City' video game using their music), the guys had somewhat of a resurgence of interest at the tail end of their career. Although popular interest in the band waxed and waned since their 80s musical heyday, their group maintained a devoted fan base among followers of the power pop genre for many years.
Guitarist and songwriter John Spinks died in July 2014, succumbing to liver cancer after a long and tough battle. He was 60. The group released a statement saying: “We are relieved that his passing was peaceful and painless.” After taking a few years off from music, lead singer/bassist Tony Lewis released a solo album in 2018 but died on 19 October 2020 in his house near London.
California Sun
The Outfield Lyrics
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Walking along through endless rain
Wonder if times will ever change
Hearing the wind that cry's your name
Too many leaves upon the ground
Everyone else seems safe and sound
One day the california sun will come your way
One day the california sun will come your way
Lost in a place - nobody home
People around you, they're all alone
Failure is not you own invention (oh no)
One day the california sun will come your way
One day the california sun will come your way
Waiting in line - taking your turn
Every mistake's a lesson learned
Surviving the pain is no salvation (oh no)
One day the california sun will come your way
One day the california sun will come your way
One day the california sun will come your way
One day the california sun will come your way
California sunshine
California sunshine
One day - california sunshine
One day - california sunshine
The Outfield's "California Sun" is a song that speaks to the struggles of life and the hope for better things to come. The song speaks to the feeling of being lost in your life, surrounded by people who are also lost, and feeling the weight of failure bearing down on you. The lyrics acknowledge the pain and struggle but offer the hope of a brighter future. The California sun is a metaphor for a better life, a place where things are easier and the weight of failure is lifted.
The lyrics speak to the feeling of being stuck in a rut, where nothing seems to be going right and everyday feels like the same struggle to survive. The metaphor of the California sun is a powerful symbol of hope and better days ahead. The song acknowledges the pain and struggle of everyday life, but it also offers the hope of a brighter future. The lyrics suggest that faith and patience are needed to get through the tough times.
The song speaks to the feeling of being an outsider, someone who is different and struggling to fit in. This feeling is compounded by the sense that everyone else seems safe and sound while you are lost in a place where nobody seems to understand you. The song suggests that waiting in line, taking your turn, and surviving the pain are all necessary steps to achieving your goals. The California sun may be a long way off, but the hope of a better life is a powerful motivator to keep going.
Line by Line Meaning
One day the california sun will come your way
Someday, good things will happen to you, even if it seems impossible right now.
Walking along through endless rain
Struggling through tough times and feeling hopeless.
Wonder if times will ever change
Questioning whether things will ever get better.
Hearing the wind that cry's your name
Feeling like the world is against you and actively causing you pain.
Too many leaves upon the ground
Seeing signs of decay and decline all around.
Everyone else seems safe and sound
Feeling like you're the only one struggling while everyone else is succeeding.
Faith is your only consolation
Holding onto hope and faith as your only source of comfort.
Lost in a place - nobody home
Feeling isolated and disconnected from the world around you.
People around you, they're all alone
Seeing others who are also struggling and feeling lonely.
Failure is not you own invention (oh no)
Feeling like your failures are out of your control and not your fault.
Waiting in line - taking your turn
Going through the motions of life and waiting for things to happen.
Every mistake's a lesson learned
Learning from your mistakes and growing as a person.
Surviving the pain is no salvation (oh no)
Suffering through hard times doesn't necessarily make things better on its own.
California sunshine
The idea of a bright, sunny future and better things to come.
One day - california sunshine
Repeatedly emphasizing the hope for a better future and brighter days.
Contributed by Alexander R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Robert Cochran
on Your Love
Winter of '84, 4 feet of snow drops on Harrisburg, PA the night the Romantics are to play the local club The Metro, Called to find out the band were there. Took the girlfriend to a venue of a dozen people and the band. They played that song at least 6 times, once me sing it on stage. Best concert I was ever at.