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.
Talk To Me
The Outfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To say what I feel
And I'm just too scared to tell ya
What I know is real
But I can't wait any longer for the lights to go down
Wait any longer for the lights to go down
Wait any longer for the lights to go down
Baby, when you talk to me
Baby, when you talk to me
Talk to me
Baby, when you talk to me
I wanna hold you so close
Each beat of the day
I call you up on my phone
Nothing to say
But I can't wait any longer for the lights to go down
Wait any longer for the lights to go down
Wait any longer for the lights to go down
Can't you see
Baby, when you talk to me
Baby, when you talk to me
Talk to me
Baby, when you talk to me
Since we first you met
You were the only one
Sometimes I forget, I'm still the lonely one
(Ooh-ooh)
(I'm in a trap) sealed by your lips
Scared to go anywhere
(Thinking about) those things I miss
Whenever you're not there
But I can't wait any longer for the lights to go down
Wait any longer for the lights to go down
Wait any longer for the lights to go down
Can't you see
Baby, when you talk to me
Baby, when you talk to me
Talk to me
Baby, when you talk to me
Talk to me
Baby, when you talk to me
Talk to me, yeah
Baby, when you talk to me
Talk to me, yeah
Baby, when you talk to me
Talk to me
The Outfield's "Talk To Me" is a love song that expresses the fear of vulnerability and the longing for connection. The first verse reveals that the singer is not afraid to be in the dark and speak his truth, but when it comes to telling the person he loves how he feels, he's too scared to do it. The chorus expresses the urgency to no longer wait for the perfect moment to confess, instead, he urges the person to talk to him because he can't wait any longer. He wants to hold them close and be in their presence every day. The second verse reveals that the singer calls the person frequently but has nothing to say. The pre-chorus talks about the feeling of loneliness, and the chorus repeats emphasizing the desperate desire to connect.
The third verse, however, is the climax of the song as the singer admits that he's trapped by the person's lips and is scared to do anything if they're not around. He's always thinking about what he misses whenever they're not in the picture. The song portrays a person who is deeply in love but is too scared to show it. They're always yearning for the other person to come to them, to initiate the conversation or show them love, and to express their feelings as well.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not afraid in the dark
I'm not afraid to open up about my feelings.
To say what I fell
To tell you what's truly in my heart.
And I'm just too scared to tell ya
Despite my openness, there are still things I'm afraid to reveal.
What I know is real
The depth of my emotions is not just imagined, it's genuine.
But I can't wait any longer for the lights to go down
I can't hold back my emotions any longer.
Wait any longer for the lights to go down
I can't suppress my feelings any longer.
Wait any longer for the lights to go
I can't continue to be in this emotional limbo.
Down can't you see
I need to express myself, can't you understand that?
Baby when you talk to me
I feel more comfortable communicating with you.
I wanna hold you so close
I want to be closer with you physically and emotionally.
Each beat of the day
Every moment I spend with you is precious.
I call you up on the phone
I want to communicate with you as much as possible.
Nothing to say
Even without things to talk about, I still want to hear your voice.
Since we first you were the only one
Ever since we met, you've been the one for me.
Sometimes I forget, I'm still the lonely one
Despite being in a relationship, I still feel lonely at times.
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Just a simple refrain in the song.
I'm in a trap - sealed by your lips
I feel constrained by your lack of communication.
Scared to go anywhere
I'm hesitant to make any major moves in our relationship.
Thinking about - those things I miss
I'm reflecting on the moments we shared together and longing for more.
Whenever you're not there
I miss your presence in my life.
Lyrics © 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.