In 1982, The J. Geils Band did something surprising. After griding it out as one of the 1970s top party bands, the J. Geils Band scored a #1 single on the Hot 100. Centerfold would spend 6 weeks at #1, launching the Boston party rock band into the mainstream. So it’s understandable that the only song you know by the group would be Centerfold. But if you look past Centerfold, you’ll find a band that sounded radically different (and in another universe would’ve been as big as Aerosmith).
Centerfold is a perfect pop rock song. It’s catchy, doesn’t overstay it’s welcome, and tells a fun story. It’s also a radical musical departure for the group. The J. Geils Band had its routes in Blues and R&B, which evolved into a full on party band by the 1970s. The J. Geils band would have a cup of coffee with the Hot 100 in 1974, with “Give It To Me” reaching #15 on the Hot 100. A reggae inspired sleazy rocker, “Give It To Me” became a concert staple & fan favourite. And while you’re listening to it… keep in mind that this is the same group who would make “Centerfold” 8 years later.
Shocking how different they sound, right?
Point being, a band can get big with one song and that one song… sounds nothing like anything else in their library.
Although with the gang in J. Geils Band, you could tell change was coming. Just listen to this track off of “Love Stinks”, and you can see that “Centerfold” wasn’t too far away.
That’s it for this week!
– PV
