The tight, well produced sound of Play Deep would make you think that this is the third or fourth album from The Outfield, but this was their debut studio album, and it went triple platinum in the United States.  Percussionist Alan Jackman, guitarist/keyboardist (and songwriter) John Spinks, and bassist/lead vocalist Tony Lewis had worked together since the late 70's, and were in a band called The Baseball Boys when Columbia Records signed them in 1984.  Their manager suggested that the name was a little too "tacky," and this prompted the shift to The Outfield.  

The band was signed largely on their being an “American sounding” group in England.  This would lead to a successful US debut.  Unfortunately, they would suffer for that in their home country, and The Outfield would never have a hit album in the UK.  

Some refer to their sound as power pop, or pop rock.  The Outfield would have been heard more on pop stations than on rock stations in the 80's.  There's a little new wave mixed in, and it is very well produced.

John Spinks passed away in 2014 of liver cancer, and unfortunately Tony Lewis passed away a few weeks before the release of this podcast. So in a way, this is a tribute to a great “All American Sounding” band. RIP boys.

I Don't Need Her
This deeper cut reminds us of Big Country or U2, with rich harmonies and a distinctive echo.  "I'm so glad that I don't need her and I'm too tired of trying to please her, but in the end I just can't leave her.  Can't leave her tonight."

61 Seconds
You will definitely notice the mid-80's sound of this upbeat track.  It is a song for the nameless worker in a large business.  "61 seconds is all it takes for the 9-to 5-man to be more than one minute late."  It's so hard to think of work as 9-to-5 anymore.

All the Love
This track was one of the singles from the album.  It went to number 14 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.  Most of the songs on this album have a similar sound, with high harmonies, prominent echo, and well-produced effects overall.

Your Love
It is amazing how big this song became.  This track made it to number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, and is a completely fictional story about “Josie.”  It took the group about 20 minutes to write the song - apparently inspired by The Who - and the band was shocked with how well it did.  

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

“Pretty in Pink” by The Psychedelic Furs 
The "Brat Pack" were prominent in this John Hughes film.  The soundtrack to "Pretty in Pink" is a who's-who of mid-80's new wave bands.

STAFF PICKS:

Rock Me Amadeus by Falco
Wayne leads off with Austrian musician Falco's song with the distinction of being the only German language song to hit number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.  It was inspired by the Oscar award-winning movie "Amadeus."

Life in a Northern Town by the Dream Academy
Bruce's staff pick is the biggest hit for The Dream Academy, and features some unusual instruments for the rock genre, including tympani and oboe.  It is an elegy to Nick Drake who died in 1971, and parts of the song were composed on Drake's guitar.

Kyrie by Mr. Mister
Brian's pick was inspired by a portion of the Catholic/Orthodox mass by way of the Episcopal church.  Kyrie Eleison means "Lord have mercy."  This track was a follow up to Mr. Mister's hit "Broken Wings."  

Manic Monday by The Bangles
Rob's staff pick was actually written by Prince.  He originally intended it for Apollonia 6, but would be a hit for The Bangles.  It reflects the travails of a working woman going to the office every week.

COMEDY TRACK:

The Super Bowl Shuffle by The Chicago Bears "Shuffling Crew"
The Chicago Bears put out a rap video in the midst of their quest for a Super Bowl win.  They would indeed win the Super Bowl, and this song peaked at number 41 in February 1986.

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” 

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**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.