[40 Years Deep] -- Forty years ago this week, The Outfield released their hugely successful debut album, Play Deep. The debut single, "Say It Isn't So," reached #18 on the Mainstream Rock chart. The second single, "Your Love," was a huge hit for them, peaking at #6 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Mainstream Rock charts. Single number three, "All the Love," peaked at #19 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #14 on US Mainstream Rock charts. That's two of three singles peaking in Billboard's Top 20 list. And all three songs also charted in the UK and several other countries.
Buoyed by these hits, Play Deep went double platinum. And because this album was so well crafted in terms of songwriting and recording, I think these songs have hardly aged. In particular, "Your Love" is a perfect tune for blaring on the stereo while driving down the road. It's even better if the weather is warm enough that you can roll down the windows and have your left hand on the car door tapping along.
The Outfield was active as a band from 1984 through 2014. They officially disbanded in 2014 after the death of John Spinks, the band's songwriter, lead guitarist, and backing vocalist. Six years later, Tony Lewis passed; he had been The Outfield's lead singer and bassist.
But their music lives on.
Flashback #1: "Play Deep (November 12, 1985)
And that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.
See you in seven!
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