Remember the J. Geils Band? While they were originally started in the ‘60s, we didn’t hear a lot from them until 20 years later, when front-man Peter Wolf brought his vocals more to the mix.
Big in the early ‘80s, they had kind of a neat sound. They mixed modern (at the time) rock with some tones and vocals of the ‘50s and the doo-wop era, and while they weren’t around long, they managed to produce some entertaining tunes.
They also served as an object lesson in what can happen when someone gets too full of himself. A few years after they burst onto the music scene, Wolf left in something of a snit, announcing he would start a solo career – which imploded. That was the end of the J. Geils Band and their neat, entertaining sound.
The songs are still around, though. Without further ado, here are six that I liked.
"Centerfold." This is a fun one, bright and peppy, with plenty of pretty girls to liven up the video. Back in the day, when the lyrics lamented the protagonist’s shock at seeing his old sweetie “in the pages of a girly magazine,” all most of us could think of was how lucky the guy was. Funny side note: All the pretty young women in the video have to be in their 60s now. Makes you think!
See Related: Start Your Weekend Right With 5 Songs From Bands You've Never Heard Of
"Freeze Frame." Another fun, upbeat piece, accompanied by a typical ‘80s video. While the album “Freeze Frame” was released in 1981, this is one of the songs that had that ‘50s subtone to it. The video, again, works, despite being a distinctly low-budget piece; I’m guessing the set cost no more than $100, which bear in mind was more of a substantial sum in 1981 than it is today. Although, I wouldn’t have cared to stand there and have paint dumped on my head.
"Love Stinks." With a thumping, percussion-laden opening with some great guitar riffs, this is a lament on how love can go wrong, and all the costs that come with it. It’s perhaps an unflattering look at the state of human relationships, but they manage to make it kind of a fun tune anyway. I would note that this song came out during my first marriage, and a few years later when that marriage went on the rocks, this song kind of came back to haunt me.
See Related: Start Your Weekend Right With Five Great '80s Music Videos.
"I Do." A cover of an old tune from 1965, originally written and performed by The Marvelows, an American soul music group from Chicago. While a cover, this song became a concert mainstay for the band. It’s a great illustration of just how good the J. Geils Band could be covering these kinds of tunes – it is, again, upbeat and fun, with a rhythm that almost demands you get up and dance.
"Land of a Thousand Dances." Another cover, this one from Chris Kenner in 1962. This tune has been covered to a fare-thee-well, even by Uncle Ted Nugent, and J. Geils played it pretty straight; their style was already well-suited to this old song. And yes, this is another one that demands you get your feet moving – even if you’re chair-dancing, as I tend to do a lot these days.
"Angel in Blue." Also from the 1981 album “Freeze Frame,” this song was a little more modern, talking about a table-top dancer who had been working for years in little lounges and bars, but somehow still appealed to the singer – a “wildcat angel, an angel in blue.” It has some dark undertones but is an appealing, thoughtful work nonetheless.
These are, yes, from the last few years of the J. Geils Band. There are a lot more songs out there from earlier albums; I gave you the ones I remember best, which is the reason for the selection.
Do any of you have any favorites to share? Some from the earlier days of the band, perhaps? As always, the comments are yours!
