"Since You've Been Gone" by The Outfield

Song#:  3159
Date:  06/13/1987
Debut:  80
Peak:  31
Weeks:  15
Genre:  Rock, Power Pop



Pop Bits:  This UK band's first album, Play Deep, was a triple-platinum #9 success thanks to a pair of Top 20 hits including the #6 "Your Love." When it came time for a follow-up, the band stayed with the same formula of their debut with member John Spinks writing the songs and producer William Whitman guiding it all. As the summer of '87 began, they released the LP Bangin' and this first single got things kicked off. The track did pretty well at Rock just missing out on the Top 10 at #11. Over on the Pop chart, the tune seemed to be making good strides, but not long after it reached the Top 40, it stalled. It was a disappointing result that had an effect on album sales. The same week this song peaked at #31, the album reached its peak of #18. It would eventually go gold, but that was a far cry from the 3 million copies the band's debut sold.

ReduxReview:  This song sounded like, well, The Outfield. For anyone that liked their previous hits, this one should have satisfied them as well. Oddly, it stopped earlier than expected on the Pop chart. It was another solid slice of power pop led by Tony Lewis' unique voice. While it may not have been as catchy as "Your Love," I thought for sure it would make the Top 20. Still, they needed something a bit stronger to kick off the new album. Really, this song sounds like it might have been the fifth single from their debut and that may have been the issue. Although a good song, it just didn't advance the band in any way.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Although this band is from the UK, their sound was more inline with American rock and that played well in the US with the band scoring several hits. However, it wasn't as well received back at home. Two songs from their debut album barely scraped the UK chart while the album didn't even make the chart. That followed through with their second album as neither it or any of its singles hit the UK charts. Their third album would produced one low charting single in the UK and that would be it for the band. The US was their primary market and they remained popular for many years while back home they couldn't gain an audience.

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