About the song
“Your Love” by the Outfield stands as a defining track from their 1985 debut album *Play Deep*, marking their breakthrough into the rock music scene of the 1980s. Written by guitarist John Spinks, the song encapsulates the band’s distinctive blend of new wave, power pop, and pop rock, propelled by Tony Lewis’s charismatic vocals.
**Background:**
John Spinks conceived “Your Love” during a writing session with Tony Lewis at his flat in east London. The song’s genesis was spontaneous, with Spinks crafting the opening lyrics as Lewis sat on an amplifier. Despite its narrative about a romantic entanglement involving a fictional character named Josie, the lyrics were entirely fictional, a creation of Spinks’s imagination.
The band, under the guidance of producer William Wittman (known for his work with Cyndi Lauper and the Fixx), initially recorded a softer demo of the song. Encouraged by Wittman, they infused a harder rock edge, drawing inspiration from bands like The Who. Tony Lewis’s vocal delivery, reminiscent of The Police’s Sting, added a distinctive layer to the track’s appeal.
**Composition:**
“Your Love” is characterized by its upbeat tempo and infectious melody. The lyrics, though ambiguous, suggest a narrator’s plea to a woman for a fleeting romance while his girlfriend, Josie, is away. The song’s catchy chorus and Lewis’s emotive vocals contributed to its popularity.
**Critical Reception:**
The song received mixed reviews from critics. While some, like Rolling Stone’s Jimmy Guterman, interpreted it as advocating infidelity, others, such as Dennis Hunt from the Los Angeles Times, praised its melodic structure and Lewis’s engaging vocal performance.
**Chart Performance:**
In the United States, “Your Love” achieved significant commercial success. Released as the second single from *Play Deep* in November 1985, it gained traction on album-oriented rock (AOR) radio before crossing over to top 40 stations. By May 1986, it had peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, spending a total of 22 weeks on the chart.
**Music Video:**
The music video for “Your Love,” directed by Jon Jopson, played a crucial role in boosting the song’s popularity. Shot in Astoria, New York, the video features the band performing against a backdrop inspired by the album cover, which is simultaneously painted by actress JoAnn Willette. The video’s playful narrative and the band’s energetic performance resonated well with MTV audiences, leading to its peak at number two on MTV’s Top 20 Countdown.
In essence, “Your Love” not only solidified the Outfield’s place in the rock music scene but also became a timeless anthem of the 1980s. Its infectious melody, combined with Tony Lewis’s emotive vocals and a memorable music video, ensured its enduring legacy in pop culture.
Video
Lyrics
“Your Love”
Josie’s on a vacation far away
Come around and talk it over
So many things that I want to say
You know I like my girls a little bit older
I just wanna use your love tonight
I don’t wanna lose your love tonightI ain’t got many friends left to talk to
No one’s around when I’m in trouble
You know I’d do anything for you
Stay the night but keep it undercover
I just wanna use your love tonight, whoa
I don’t wanna lose your love tonightTry to stop my hands from shakin’
Somethin’ in my mind’s not makin’ sense
It’s been awhile since we were all alone
I can’t hide the way I’m feelin’As you leave me, please, would you close the door?
And don’t forget what I told you
Just ’cause you’re right, that don’t mean I’m wrong
Another shoulder to cry upon
I just wanna use your love tonight, yeah
I don’t wanna lose your love tonight
Yeah, I just wanna use your love tonight
I don’t wanna lose your love tonight
I just wanna use your love tonight
I don’t wanna lose your love tonight(Lose your love)
(Lose your love)
Tonight (Lose your love)
I don’t wanna lose (Lose your love tonight)
I don’t wanna, I don’t wanna, I don’t wanna (Lose your love tonight)
No, no (Lose your love tonight)
(Lose your love tonight)
No, no (I don’t wanna lose your love tonight)
(Lose your love tonight)