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.
One Love
The Outfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come around and talk it over
So many things that I want to say
You know I like my girls a little bit older
I just wanna use your love tonight
I don't wanna lose your love tonight
I ain′t got many friends left to talk to
You know I′d do anything for you
Stay the night but keep it undercover
I just wanna use your love tonight, whoa
I don′t wanna lose your love tonight
Try to stop my hands from shakin'
Somethin′ in my mind's not makin′ sense
It's been awhile since we were all alone
I can′t hide the way I'm feelin'
As you leave me, please, would you close the door?
And don′t forget what I told you
Just ′cause you're right, that don′t mean I'm wrong
Another shoulder to cry upon
I just wanna use your love tonight, yeah
I don′t wanna lose your love tonight
Yeah, I just wanna use your love tonight
I don't wanna lose your love tonight
I just wanna use your love tonight
I don′t wanna lose your love tonight
(Lose your love)
(Lose your love)
Tonight (Lose your love)
I don't wanna lose (Lose your love tonight)
I don't wanna, I don′t wanna, I don′t wanna (Lose your love tonight)
No, no (Lose your love tonight)
(Lose your love tonight)
No, no (I don't wanna lose your love tonight)
(Lose your love tonight)
The Outfield's song "One Love" follows the theme of using someone's love without the intention of a serious relationship. The lyrics start with Josie being on vacation, and the singer asking her to talk about his feelings. He admits that he likes his girls a bit older and emphasizes on wanting to use her love effectively, as he does not want to lose it in the process. He then confesses that he does not have many friends to talk to and that he would do anything for Josie, even though he wants to keep their relationship a secret. The singer struggles with his emotions and the possibility of losing Josie's love whilst trying to stop his hands from shaking.
As the song comes to an end, the singer pleads with Josie to close the door as she leaves and to remember what he told her. He acknowledges that they may have different opinions, but that does not mean he is wrong while offering her another shoulder to cry upon through the night. The lyrics highlight the fact that the singer is using Josie for her love while lacking the courage to make a genuine commitment.
Line by Line Meaning
Josie′s on a vacation far away
Josie is away on holiday and is not physically present here
Come around and talk it over
Please come to my place and let's talk about our situation
So many things that I want to say
I have a lot to say about how I feel
You know I like my girls a little bit older
I prefer dating women who are a bit older than me
I just wanna use your love tonight
I just want to be with you for the night and nothing more
I don't wanna lose your love tonight
I don't want to lose the opportunity to be with you, even if it's just for the night
I ain′t got many friends left to talk to
I don't have many friends to talk to anymore
No one's around when I'm in trouble
Nobody is present to help me when I am in need
You know I′d do anything for you
I would do anything to be with you
Stay the night but keep it undercover
Let's spend the night together, but in secret
Try to stop my hands from shakin'
I am trying to control my emotions and nervousness
Somethin′ in my mind's not makin′ sense
Something is unclear in my mind and I can't comprehend it
It's been awhile since we were all alone
It's been a while since we were together by ourselves.
I can′t hide the way I'm feelin'
I cannot conceal how I am feeling about you
As you leave me, please, would you close the door?
Please close the door as you leave
And don't forget what I told you
Remember what I said earlier
Just 'cause you're right, that don't mean I'm wrong
Just because you may be right, it doesn't automatically make me wrong
Another shoulder to cry upon
I am here for you whenever you need someone to rely on
I just wanna use your love tonight, yeah
All I want is to spend the night with you, nothing more
I don't wanna lose your love tonight
I don't want to miss my chance to be with you tonight
Yeah, I just wanna use your love tonight
Yes, I just want to be with you tonight
I don't wanna lose your love tonight
I don't want to lose the possibility of spending time with you tonight
I just wanna use your love tonight
I just want to be with you for the night
I don't wanna lose your love tonight
I can't afford to lose this opportunity to be with you
Writer(s): John Spinks
Contributed by Keira O. 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.