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.
Say It Isn't So
The Outfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So much I can't turn 'round
And I've been running about with some funny girls
I'm not so tough
But if you let me down (I'll tell ya)
I'd give you just one day to explain
I'd like to know if there's somebody else in this game
Say it isn't so (without you I can't go on)
How was I to know if you keep me guessing I don't understand
I can't sleep at night
I keep on dreaming you're gone
I'm staring into a space that was filled by your face
Facing the day
A face in the crowd
I'm sure I saw you just a moment ago
There must be something you don't want me to know
Say it isn't so (you've got the magic touch)
Say it isn't so (one thing I need so much)
How was I to know
If you keep me guessing I don't understand
There's something wrong, suspicion's getting stronger
Don't know if I can stand this pain much longer
You play around but I see right through you
It's lonely on the streets when it's just one A.M.
See a lot of pretty girls passing by
I'm walking in the midnight sun once again
And now I know why love is so blind
'Cause when you're out of my sight
I'm out of your mind
Say it isn't so (tell me I'm the only one)
Say it isn't so (without you I can't go on)
How was I to know if you keep me guessing I don't understand
Say it isn't so (you've got the magic touch)
Say it isn't so (one thing I need so much)
Say it isn't so (tell me I'm the only one)
Say it isn't so (without you I can't go on)
Say it isn't so
Say it isn't so
Say it isn't so
Say it isn't so
Say it isn't so
Say it isn't so
The Outfield’s “Say It Isn’t So” captures the fear and vulnerability of a lover who suspects his partner of cheating. The song is filled with intense emotions, with the singer’s anxiety and panic palpable in every line. He is sure that his partner is hiding something and is overwhelmed with anxiety about what it could be. He is so consumed with doubt that he can’t even sleep at night, and his thoughts become almost obsessive, making it hard for him to function during the day.
Despite his emotional turmoil, the singer is still in love with his partner and yearns for their honesty. He pleads with them to confess their infidelity outright. He’s scared of being hurt but also scared of losing his partner. The chorus echoes his desperation: “Say it isn't so / Tell me I'm the only one / Say it isn't so / Without you, I can't go on / How was I to know?” The singer’s desperation is underlined by a magical element in the song - the two lines “you’ve got the magic touch / one thing I need so much”, almost pleading with the partner to work their magic and prove his fears wrong.
In conclusion, The Outfield’s “Say It Isn’t So” is a story of conflict, anxiety, and desperation told through lyrics soaked in emotions, reminding us that it is essential to be honest in a relationship. It’s a powerful song, capturing the painful reality of knowing something is wrong but not knowing what it is, leaving you at the mercy of your fears.
Line by Line Meaning
You got me all screwed up
You've caused me so much confusion and distress
So much I can't turn 'round
My mind is consumed and I can't focus on anything else
And I've been running about with some funny girls
I've been hanging out with girls that aren't serious or committed
I'm not so tough
I'm not as strong and resilient as I may appear
But if you let me down (I'll tell ya)
If you disappoint me, I will confront you
I'd give you just one day to explain
I need an explanation from you and I won't wait long to hear it
I'd like to know if there's somebody else in this game
I suspect that you may be involved with someone else and I want to know the truth
Say it isn't so (tell me I'm the only one)
Please confirm that you are committed solely to me
Say it isn't so (without you I can't go on)
I need your love and attention to be happy
How was I to know if you keep me guessing I don't understand
I can't comprehend your feelings and intentions if you keep them hidden from me
I can't sleep at night
I am deeply troubled by our relationship issues
I keep on dreaming you're gone
I fear losing you and dream about it often
I'm staring into a space that was filled by your face
I feel your absence and miss your presence in my life
Facing the day
I'm trying to deal with my problems head-on
A face in the crowd
I thought I saw you among others, but I'm not sure
I'm sure I saw you just a moment ago
I think I saw you recently, but I'm confused
There must be something you don't want me to know
I suspect that you're keeping secrets from me
You've got the magic touch
You have a way of captivating and enchanting me
One thing I need so much
I require your love and affection to be happy
There's something wrong, suspicion's getting stronger
I feel like there's something amiss, and my doubts are intensifying
Don't know if I can stand this pain much longer
I don't think I can endure this emotional pain indefinitely
You play around but I see right through you
I'm aware that you're not completely sincere and truthful with me
It's lonely on the streets when it's just one A.M.
I feel alone and disconnected in the middle of the night
See a lot of pretty girls passing by
I notice other attractive women, but they don't compare to you
I'm walking in the midnight sun once again
I'm alone and lost, even in a bright and lively environment
And now I know why love is so blind
My affection for you has led me to overlook your flaws and mistakes
'Cause when you're out of my sight, I'm out of your mind
If I'm not present with you, you forget about me and move on
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: John Fredrick Spinks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@evairarem5257
You got me all screwed up
So much I can't turn 'round
And I've been running about with some funny girls
I'm not so tough
But if you let me down (I'll tell ya)
I'd give you just one day to explain
I'd like to know if there's somebody else in this game
Say it isn't so (tell me I'm the only one)
Say it isn't so (without you I can't go on)
How was I to know if you keep me guessing I don't understand
I can't sleep at night
I keep on dreaming you're gone
I'm staring into a space that was filled by your face
Facing the day
A face in the crowd
I'm sure I saw you just a moment ago
There must be something you don't want me to know
Say it isn't so (you've got the magic touch)
Say it isn't so (one thing I need so much)
How was I to know
If you keep me guessing I don't understand
There's something wrong, suspicion's getting stronger
Don't know if I can stand this pain much longer
You play around but I see right through you
It's lonely on the streets when it's just one A.M.
See a lot of pretty girls passing by
I'm walking in the midnight sun once again
And now I know why love is so blind
'Cause when you're out of my sight
I'm out of your mind
Say it isn't so (tell me I'm the only one)
Say it isn't so (without you I can't go on)
How was I to know if you keep me guessing I don't understand
Say it isn't so (you've got the magic touch)
Say it isn't so (one thing I need so much)
Say it isn't so (tell me I'm the only one)
Say it isn't so (without you I can't go on)
Say it isn't so
Say it isn't so
Say it isn't so
Say it isn't so
Say it isn't so
Say it isn't so
@joanacoleoptera5848
2024 anyone? ❤
@Guizeira80
Up ⚡
@propdoctor21564
2/25/24 👍👍
@TheTryingDutchman
2038
@VanHalenFan1964
I put this on when i've had a few Drinks 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
@glull44
I hope to enjoy this gem for a few more decades. It was part of my early twenties.
@user-qr7fw5uw5t
The harmonies are incredible, such a unique sound from the 80's. I can remember the first time I heard this song. I go back each time I hear this. Simpler, happier times indeed.
@user-ub7dd5fl2v
Say what you want. The 80s has had more hits than any time in history! I thank God I grew up then!
@Thoughtthinkagain
There's one hit wonders then there's good music,Prince,
INXS,They'd be making good music still if they were around
@jasonbarnes2636
Who’s listening to The Outfield in 2023?