Following its release as a single in May 1988, it was included as the opening track of the 1988 album
Sur la Mer. The single has a label time of 4:15, excising the third of the four verses and the instrumental bridge in the middle of the song, while the LP has a label time of 6:38. According to
Classic Rock History critic Brian Kachejian "The song was based on the story of a rock star longing for a past teenage love." The Moody Blues described the song as a sequel of sorts to their earlier single "
Your Wildest Dreams," with the singer looking for his lost love, although according to Kachejian many fans considered it to have a deeper spiritual theme. Hayward stated that the decision to release "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" was inspired by the success of "Your Wildest Dreams", saying: Hayward acknowledged trying to make the song sound similar to "Your Wildest Dreams", saying: In the song, the singer remembers an old girlfriend and recognizes that circumstances have changed. Hayward said "I think it just was one of those things where everyone wants to know what happened to the first person they ever really loved. Best not to find out. Best to leave it as a nice memory." ==Reception==