The J Geils Band Songs Ranked

The J. Geils Band /ˌdʒeɪ ˈɡaɪlz/ was an American rock band formed in 1968, in Worcester, Massachusetts, under the leadership of guitarist John “J.” Geils. The original band members included vocalist Peter Wolf, harmonica and saxophone player Richard “Magic Dick” Salwitz, drummer Stephen Bladd, vocalist/keyboardist Seth Justman, and bassist Danny Klein. Wolf and Justman served as principal songwriters. The band played R&B-influenced blues-rock during the 1970s and soon achieved commercial success before moving towards a more mainstream radio-friendly sound in the early 1980s, which brought the band to its commercial peak. After Wolf left the band in 1983 to pursue a solo career, the band released one more album in 1984 with Justman on lead vocals, before breaking up in 1985. Beginning in 1999, the band had several reunions prior to the death of its namesake, J. Geils, on April 11, 2017. The band first released several Top 40 singles in the early 1970s, including a cover of the song “Lookin’ for a Love” by The Valentinos (which reached #39 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972), as well as the single “Give It to Me” (#30 in 1973). Their biggest hits included “Must Have Got Lost” (#12 in 1975), “Come Back” (#32 in 1980), “Love Stinks” (which reached #38 in 1980 and was featured in several films), “Freeze-Frame” (#4 in 1981), and “Centerfold” (#1 in 1982). Here are all of The J. Geils Band‘s songs ranked.

Don’t miss out on the CUTTING EDGE music of The J. Geils Band below! Click to experience the R&B-influenced style of blues-rock!

15. Do You Remember When (Freeze Frame, 1981)

“This is such a great song and it’s off of one of their best albums. My mother really likes this song. I love the tunes and the lyrics. Everything about it is just so great.”

14. Piss On the Wall (Freeze Frame, 1981)

“A great song from a great album. And it’s kinda funny in a way. But overall, it’s just a great song. I don’t know what else to say.”

13. Just Can’t-Wait (Love Stinks, 1980)

“Best thing about this album is the great artwork of cover and inlay. The music reflects the commercial turn that the J. Geils Band took, which effectively led them to increase sales at the (minor) cost of losing some of their longtime fans. Best song, despite its terrible production, is “Just Can’t Wait”.

12. Whammer Jammer (The Morning After, 1971)

“What’s there to write? The original studio version rocks just as much as the live version! Why the J. Geils Band is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is beyond understanding. This is a classic.”

See more: The J. Geils Band Albums Ranked

11. Looking for a Love (The Morning After, 1971)

“They had a few good live tracks, I don’t know if this was ever released as a live track, but this is version is probably the best version and it kicks a lot of ass, there radio tracks like Centerfold and Loves Stinks just plain or not very good.”

10. Angels in Blue (Freeze Frame, 1981)

“This is a song with levels to it. I had forgotten all about it until I heard Love Stinks recently. Ultimately it is about the dystopic death of hope caused by the alienation of modern life. I love how he describes what she is wearing (red top, white boots) but because of the connotations of “blue” (sad or really lost in its original since it meant lost in the blue aka lost at sea)she is an “angel in blue”. Also, there is the porn connection with “blue”. Either way, his sad protagonist and even sadder narrator are trapped in a world they never made, they live like robots or lesser beings instead of humans. Although blue and wearing red lame and what I envision as a “bold” white boot, she is the “palest” of angels. Her life has meant nothing and she is fading away into utter obscurity.”

9. One Last Kiss (Sanctuary, 1978)

“Quite a precipitous drop-off here from the Hard Rock masterpiece Monkey Island that preceded it. Sanctuary finds the J. Geils Band retreating into their comfort zone of mostly Party Rock and Hard R&B. The lone exception is the title track, which Rock out with a desperate urgency.”

8. Love Stinks (Love Stinks, 1980)

“Not the Full House rock party but nothing will come close to that. This was and still is a great album they put together before they started to go more commercially pop/rockish. Saw them in the hey day a few times and they just would rock the house always.”

7. Flamethrower (Freeze Frame, 1981)

“Personally Flamethrower is one of my favorites, although I have other favorites too. It’s got good tunes and is just a great song! And it’s off of one of their best albums! I love the J. Geils Band! One of the best rock bands on this whole earth!”

6. Come Back (Love Stinks, 1980)

“This is another favorite of mine. It’s a great song from a great album. This is a song I could listen to over and over again, and I have.J. Geils Band forever!”

See more: Jerry Garcia Albums Ranked

5. Give It to Me (Bloodshot, 1973)

“J Geils has always been known for their catchy rock tunes. This is just one more in a long line of songs from this band that everyone recognizes, and everyone loves to hear! I’ve always liked this song because it was one of those long rock jams that you didn’t want to end”

4. I Do (Monkey Island, 1977)

“This band is one of those that withstands the test of time. Considered somewhat raunchy and raucous in the 70’s. In today’s world they are fine for preteens. But that’s one fans opinion. Great toe tapping sing-along tunes. This one in particular is excellent for groups of friends or family members. A upswing in fun at any party. P.S. Lead singer Peter Wolf was married to Faye Dunaway of Bonnie and Clyde fame for decades. Try this song and you’ll be hooked.”

3. Must of Got Lost (Nightmares…and Other Tales from the Vinyl Jungle, 1974)

“There is nothing like classic rock. J. Geils is my husband’s favorite band and this is his favorite song. Now he has it as a ringtone and can hear it throughout the day.”

2. Freeze-Frame (Freeze-Frame, 1981)

“This was their follow up to Centerfold and didn’t do nearly half as well in Britain as it should have,it is a real catchy ear worm and never failed to get people on the dance floor when my band performed it(we usually played it when we was dying a slow death) and people would join in with the `freeze frame ` `freeze frame` call and answer chorus,listening to this again today has bought back some happy memories and I still enjoy this single.”

1. Centerfold (Freeze-Frame, 1981)

“It was released in autumn 1981, and eventually went to Number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in February 1982, and stayed there for six weeks. It was the first single released from the album Freeze Frame and was an early staple on MTV.”