The Outfield was an English rock band that became a bit hit during the 1980s, starting with their debut album in 1985, “Play Deep”. Seen as producers of some epic songs they were lead by singer Tony Lewis for many years. Lewis passed away in October of 2020. Although his voice may be gone, his music is not forgotten. Remember Tony Lewis’s music with these Top 5 Songs by The Outfield.
The Outfield – For You
This song was released in 1990 off of the Diamond Days album and was written by John Spinks who wrote many hit songs for the Outfield. The song reached 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and 13 on both the Adult Contemporary charts as well as the US Album Rock Tracks listings. It was to be the band’s last top 40 hit that they recorded but it was the first they recorded on the RCA label. Drummer for the band Alan Jackman had left the band before this song. His place was taken by Simon Dawson for this album and many more after it.
The Outfield – Voices of Babylon
This song was the title track from their album “Voices of Babylon” released in March of 1989. It was written by John Spinks. It ranked number 2 in the US Album Rock Tracks listings from Billboard Magazine and became to band’s biggest hit on that listing. Although it didn’t finish quite as well in the UK, the song is also the best song for the band in the United Kingdom reaching 78 on the UK singles charts.
Since You’ve Been Gone
This song was released in May of 1987 and is off their album “Bangin'”. It was written by John Spinks and went on the be the best-selling song from that particular album. It reached 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 list and 11 on the Billboard Album Rock Track listings. The music video for the song was filmed at Beckton Gas Works in London England that had just been used for filming in the movie adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket” including damage that had been done in the filming of that movie.
All the Love in the World
This song was released as a single in May of 1986. It was written by guitarist John Spinks. It finished 19th on the Billboard Hot 100 ranks. This song was released as a follow up to The Outfield’s biggest single hit “Your Love.” In the music video for the song, “Your Love” is played a bit in the background and is an in-joke to people watching the video of what this song was following up on.
The Outfield – Your Love
Taken from their debut album “Play Deep” from 1985, Your Love was arguably The Outfield’s most popular song. It was written by the guitarist for the band, John Spinks. It was said that Spinks and lead vocalist John Lewis got together in London and cranked out this song in about 20 minutes. Originally the song was softer in tone but producer William Whitman convinced the band to get a little harder in edge and the band was inspired by The Who. It is also said that John Lewis’s singing of the song was influenced by Sting of the Police. The song eventually reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 rankings for 1986.
