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.
Talking 'bout Us
The Outfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were there on the end of my phone
I was thinking 'bout you
You were talking 'bout us
In my mind I just wanted you there
Run my fingers through your hair
I was thinking 'bout you
You were talking 'bout us
From fingers to the tip of my toes
I was thinking 'bout you
You were talking 'bout us
Late last night you know I needed you there
I was sitting kinda back in my chair
You were talking to me I was thinking 'bout us
All I wanted was to see you undress
I could picture you more or less
I was thinking 'bout you
You were talking 'bout us
I closed my eyes cos I was out of control
From fingers to the tip of my toes
I was thinking 'bout you
You were talking? Bout us oh, la, la, la, la
Oh oh la, la, la, la
Last night it was getting kinda late
I got the message and you knew I couldn? T wait
I was thinking? Bout you you were talking 'bout us
I closed my eyes cos I was out of control
From fingers to the tip of my toes
I was thinking 'bout you
You were talking 'bout us
That? S you and me babe
I was thinking 'bout you you were talking 'bout us
I was thinking 'bout you you were talking 'bout us
The lyrics to The Outfield's song "Talking 'bout Us" paint a vivid picture of a late night, intimate conversation between two people who clearly have strong feelings for each other. The singer is all alone, sitting in a chair and thinking about the other person, who is on the other end of the phone. The two of them talk about the possibility of a relationship, and the singer can't help but picture the other person undressing. The intensity of their conversation is overwhelming, and the singer can feel it from the tips of their fingers to the soles of their feet.
The lyrics are tinged with a sense of urgency, as though there isn't a lot of time for the two of them to make a decision. They're talking about "us," which implies that they're discussing the possibility of a romantic connection, but it's not entirely clear whether they're already involved or if this is the beginning of something new. The use of the repeated phrase "I was thinking 'bout you, you were talking 'bout us" drives home the idea that the singer can't stop thinking about the other person and the potential for a relationship between them.
Overall, the lyrics to "Talking 'bout Us" create a picture of two people who are clearly drawn to each other and are considering taking things to the next level. There's a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation in the air, as well as a hint of nervousness about what might happen next.
Line by Line Meaning
Late last night I was sitting all alone
I sat alone last night.
You were there on the end of my phone
You were on the other end of the phone.
I was thinking 'bout you
I was thinking about you.
You were talking 'bout us
You were talking about us.
In my mind I just wanted you there
I wanted you to be there with me in my thoughts.
Run my fingers through your hair
I wanted to touch your hair.
I closed my eyes cos I was out of control
I felt like I was losing control, so I closed my eyes.
From fingers to the tip of my toes
My whole body was affected.
Late last night you know I needed you there
You should know that I needed you last night.
I was sitting kinda back in my chair
I was sitting back in my chair.
You were talking to me I was thinking 'bout us
You were talking to me about us while I was thinking about it.
All I wanted was to see you undress
I wanted to see you undress more than anything else.
I could picture you more or less
I could imagine what you might look like naked.
Last night it was getting kinda late
It was getting late last night.
I got the message and you knew I couldn't wait
I got your message and you knew I was excited and couldn't wait for more.
That's you and me babe
That's us, baby.
Contributed by Luke E. 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.