Another perfect song from the spring of ’86.

Was there a bigger song in the spring of ‘86 than The Outfield’s Your Love? Well, probably but that’s the one up for discussion next while I’m reliving the spring of ‘86.

Here’s a funny coincidence. A former student of mine, I taught middle school English, posted that a band he is part of performed recently at the HWS Folk Fest. I commented that WS is my Alma Mater and he responded that he went to Hobart. I had no idea! I love small coincidences.

Folk Fest on the campus of HWS in the late 1900s was a huge, I mean huuuuuge, weekend-long party. Vendors, bands performing, people everywhere enjoying the sun, lots and lots of partying. Many grads would return for the weekend to attend. It was a fucking blast. Of course HWS was known as a party school, a reputation it deserved. I am guessing that has changed. Today’s culture and students are so different. But alas, I was there in the mid 80s for all of its hedonistic glory. I have images of sunshine, beer in plastic cups, dancing, walking around barefoot, or in my really cool gladiator sandals that I fucking loved, getting my hippie on and generally having a fucking blast. Good, good times.

Photo from the HWS archives.

So 1986 was a year of some absolutely great music- Prince, Peter Gabriel, Beastie Boys, Depeche Mode, New Order, The Bangles, Madonna. This list is just a small, small sampling of the phenomenal music scene. I think a band like The Outfield tends to get lost in the haze of time considering all the monster artists and bands that were putting out amazing stuff in 1986. But this song definitely has a place in the pantheon of standouts from my college years.  Your Love was the Outfield’s biggest hit, but some of their other songs, IMO, are equally as good if not better. But that hook

I don’t want to lose your love tonight

I just want to use your love tonight

is what made it so popular and so memorable. The Outfield hailed from London and were really more power pop than anything else. The song was written in about twenty minutes by John Spinks. A song written that quickly carries a certain immediate energy that can be felt in the lyrics and heard in the music. The Outfield dropped three albums between 1985 and 1989 and six more in the 90s and 2000s but they were not able to replicate the success they had back in the 80s. The original lineup consisted of guitarist John Spinks, drummer Alan Jackman and bass player and vocalist Tony Lewis. Both Lewis and Spinks are sadly deceased. According to the band’s website, Alan Jackman currently tours with Albert Lee.

I have to admit that the lyrics to Our Love are dated and yeah, kinda problematic. More so today than they were forty years ago but I do remember having conversations with college friends about I just wanna use your love tonight. I mean no one wants to be used. But there is still something about this song that is catchy and that I think people can relate to on some level, or did when they were teens. It speaks to universal lusty feelings and teen angst, wanting something or someone badly and having to wait until the time was right to make it happen. Bad teenage decisions made from the loins not from the brain, ha ha! Please….. Everyone can relate to that in some way or another.

If it’s been a while since you listened to this song, I encourage you to put it in rotation on your playlist along with other great Outfield songs. They’ll take you right back to a magical place in your imagination.  The Outfield’s Your Love is THE perfect song!

Just look at those yummy mullets!