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.
I Don'T Need Her
The Outfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And that is no surprise
When I was far from danger
I opened my eyes
Now I look back in anger
For I did nothing wrong
It's just a race for strangers
And this race goes on
[Chorus]
I'm so glad that I don't need her
And I'm too tired of trying to please her
But in the end I just can't leave her
Can't leave her tonight
You've got a different story
From anything that I've been told
But you evade the glory
Come in from the cold
Don't wait until tomorrow
Don't push it back another day
Don't try to hide your sorrow
What else can I say
[Chorus]
You said you see me running
But that was no surprise
When I was far from danger
I opened my eyes
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
The Outfield's "I Don't Need Her" is a track about a man who is running from a past relationship. He recognizes that he has done nothing wrong in the relationship, but he is still bitter towards his ex-partner. He is relieved that he no longer has to try to please her, but he is still unable to leave her entirely. The song's chorus is a reflection of the man's conflicting emotions: he is glad that he doesn't need his ex anymore, but he can't seem to let go of the relationship.
The first two lines of the song set the scene. The singer confesses that he has been running away from something, and that his running does not come as a surprise to anyone. The chorus then follows with a declaration of his relief that he is no longer attached to his ex-lover. He sings about being tired of trying to please her, but at the same time, he admits to his inability to let her go.
The second verse begins with the man acknowledging that his ex-partner has a different story from his own account of their relationship. However, he urges her to come out of hiding and address the issues between them. He implores her not to hide her grief and to address it. The song ends as it begins, with a repetition of the opening lines and a further repetition of the chorus.
Line by Line Meaning
You said you see me running
You claim to have seen me in action or pursuing something.
And that is no surprise
This is not unexpected or shocking.
When I was far from danger
When I was safe and out of harm's way.
I opened my eyes
I became aware of my surroundings or situation.
Now I look back in anger
Currently, I am filled with fury and resentment as I reflect on past events.
For I did nothing wrong
I am certain that I did not commit any wrongdoing.
It's just a race for strangers
This competition or chase is something unfamiliar or unimportant to me.
And this race goes on
This activity continues without stopping or slowing down.
I'm so glad that I don't need her
I am grateful that I do not require her presence or approval.
And I'm too tired of trying to please her
I am exhausted from putting in effort to satisfy her desires or expectations.
But in the end I just can't leave her
Despite my frustration, I am unable to depart from her.
Can't leave her tonight
I cannot leave her this evening.
You've got a different story
You have an alternate version or perspective.
From anything that I've been told
This is distinct from any information I have received previously.
But you evade the glory
You avoid or reject the admiration and recognition.
Come in from the cold
Stop isolating yourself or experiencing loneliness.
Don't wait until tomorrow
Do not delay or procrastinate any further.
Don't push it back another day
Do not postpone addressing the issue any longer.
Don't try to hide your sorrow
Stop concealing or suppressing your sadness.
What else can I say
Is there anything else I can express or communicate?
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
This is the repeated chorus of the song.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOHN FREDRICK SPINKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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.