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.
Take It All
The Outfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don`t be afraid
A chance in a lifetime
Is on its way
If you`re out tonight
In shoes of glass
Make it by midnight
[Chorus]
The facts of life ain`t changing
They don`t care about you
The hands of time ain`t waiting
They`ll go on without you
Baby - take it all
Baby - take it all
For once in your life
You got it made
A sign of the times
The past is paid
So leave it behind
Don`t be ashamed
Innocent girl
In a man`s world
[Chorus]
Get it all - do it do it
The Outfield's song "Take It All" is a motivating tune that encourages listeners to overcome their fears by grabbing opportunities that come their way. The first verse sends a message that no matter the situation, one should never be afraid of going for something that could change their lives for the better. The line "If your hands are tied, don't be afraid" might refer to feeling restricted or confined, whether physically or emotionally. Nevertheless, the writer suggests that a lifetime opportunity is just around the corner, indicating that one should be ready to grab it when it comes.
Moving to the second verse, the lyrics switch to a potentially difficult situation, perhaps implying that someone is feeling a bit out of their depth. The reference to "shoes of glass" might mean someone feeling vulnerable and walking around with some fragility, but it builds suspense as the writer tells them to "Make it by midnight." The mention of future time here creates the idea that the opportunity that the listener should not miss waits for no man. Ultimately, the chorus sums up the nature of life's lessons, both positive and negative, that paint an unchanging picture irrespective of any specific individual's worries. It suggests that the listener must take the chance handed to them because the ticking hands of time do not stop or pause for anyone, and that they should go for it all.
The third verse encourages the listener to forget about their past, not to worry too much about all they have left behind, and to move forward. The phrase "For once in your life" suggests that one has already scored a significant victory or milestone and should aim to keep that momentum going to achieve their goals successfully. The mention of the "innocent girl" could easily tie to the idea of a young woman taking on something daunting or move forward, breaking gender stereotypes and finding affirmation and motivation in the song's message. Ultimately, the song is an ode to taking chances and not being held hostage by fear and regret.
Line by Line Meaning
If your hands are tied
If you feel restricted or unable to act
Don`t be afraid
Don't let fear hold you back
A chance in a lifetime
An opportunity that may only come once
Is on its way
Is coming towards you
If you`re out tonight
If you're out and about tonight
In shoes of glass
Feeling fragile or vulnerable
Make it by midnight
Make it before the deadline
The future might pass
The opportunity may be lost if you don't seize it
[Chorus] The facts of life ain`t changing
The realities of life don't change
They don`t care about you
They are indifferent to your situation
The hands of time ain`t waiting
Time doesn't wait for anyone
They`ll go on without you
Things will continue to happen, even if you don't act
Baby - take it all
Go for it, take everything that's available to you
For once in your life
At least once in your lifetime
You got it made
You have everything you need to succeed
A sign of the times
Something that represents the current era
The past is paid
Don't dwell on past mistakes or misfortunes
So leave it behind
Put it in the past and move on
Don`t be ashamed
Don't feel embarrassed or guilty
Innocent girl
A young woman who is pure and good-hearted
In a man`s world
In a society where men dominate
[Chorus]
Repeating the chorus
Get it all - do it do it
Get everything that's available to you and do it now
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BENNY LATIMORE
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.