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.
LAY DOWN
The Outfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know that you can be found
Each time I get a hold on you, baby
You keep on knocking me down
This time could be your last chance, baby
So don't be messing around
Lay down your love on me
Lay down, lay down your love
Lay down your love on me
I've never been stood up
So don't be letting me down
This week I'm on a rollover, baby
So don't be playing around
You might be driving a fast car, baby
Don't drive me out of this town
Lay down, lay down your love
Lay down your love on me
Lay down, lay down your love
Lay down your love on me
Lay down, lay down your love
Lay down your love on me
Lay down, lay down your love
Lay down your love on me
The Outfield's song "Lay Down" is an upbeat and energetic track with lyrics that address a relationship that has its fair share of ups and downs. The opening lines, "You're running out of luck, I know that you can be found," suggests that the person the singer is addressing has been on the run from something or someone, and time is running out for them. However, despite numerous attempts to connect with this person, they keep getting "knocked down," causing a sense of frustration and exasperation in the singer.
Despite this, the singer believes that there is a chance for this relationship to work out, as they implore the other person not to "be messing around." The chorus, "Lay down, lay down your love, lay down your love on me," seems to function as a plea, a declaration of love, and a desire to connect with this person on a deeper level. The message is clear: the singer wants the other person to invest in the relationship and to stop playing games.
The second half of the lyrics continue to emphasize the importance of this relationship. The lines, "I've never been stood up, so don't be letting me down," suggest that the singer has high expectations for their partner and expects them to follow through on their promises. The line "This week I'm on a rollover, baby," could allude to the idea that the singer is willing to take a chance on this relationship, but they need their partner to meet them halfway.
Overall, "Lay Down" is a catchy and energetic song that expresses the challenges and desires of a relationship that has the potential to be something special. The lyrics are straightforward and relatable, making it an enduring hit for The Outfield.
Line by Line Meaning
You're running out of luck
Your good luck is running out
I know that you can be found
I know I can find you
Each time I get a hold on you, baby
Every time I catch you, baby
You keep on knocking me down
You keep on disappointing me
This time could be your last chance, baby
This could be your last opportunity, baby
So don't be messing around
So don't fool around
I've never been stood up
I've never been let down
So don't be letting me down
So don't disappoint me
This week I'm on a rollover, baby
This week is going well for me, baby
So don't be playing around
So don't fool around
You might be driving a fast car, baby
You may have a fast car, baby
Don't drive me out of this town
Don't force me to leave this town
Lay down, lay down your love
Give me your love
Lay down your love on me
Give me your love
Lay down, lay down your love
Give me your love
Lay down your love on me
Give me your love
Lay down, lay down your love
Give me your love
Lay down your love on me
Give me your love
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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.