The band started as an acoustic blues trio in the mid 1960s with singer and guitarist J. Geils (born February 20, 1946; died April 10, 2017), bassist Danny Klein (Dr. Funk) and harpist Richard Salwitz (stage name Magic Dick). The band formed under the name Snoopy and the Sopwith Camels while Geils was attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute for a couple of semesters. In 1967 the band switched focus, starting to play electric guitar and bass and recruiting drummer Stephen Jo Bladd and fast-talking ex-disc jockey singer Peter Wolf, born Peter Blankenfeld, both from Boston. The following year Seth Justman joined as an organist, and the group signed to Atlantic Records in 1970.
The J. Geils Band first received FM radio airplay with the live single "First I Look at the Purse", then had several hit singles in the 1970s, the most successful of which was "Must Of Got Lost" (1974). Later in the 1970s, the band signed with EMI America Records.
The band had good success covering soul singles. Besides the well-known aforementioned "First I Look at the Purse" from The Contours, they covered the more obscure "I Do" from The Marvelows and "Ain't Nothing But a House Party" from The Showstoppers.
The group's commercial fortunes improved in the early 1980s, first with the humorous "Love Stinks", then with their great success with the Freeze Frame album which included "Centerfold" (#1 for six weeks on the Billboard Hot 100) and then the title cut (#4). Wolf left the group in 1983 for a solo career not long after, over disagreements about whether to continue to take the band in more of a popular direction, or continue with the purist tradition.
The band went on to record one more album of new material, You're Gettin' Even While I'm Gettin' Odd, after Wolf left. He was not replaced, and Seth Justman took over most of the vocal duties. The album produced only one single - "Concealed Weapons", a song about breasts - and was not a success. The band toured in support of the album, but never again recorded anything new. The group then disbanded in 1985 after contributing the title song to the 1985 horror film Fright Night.
The group was not reunited with Wolf until 1999, and subsequently broke up again when ticket sales proved extremely disappointing. Wolf continues to tour with his own backup band, and the rest of the Geils band makes occasional appearances. Since the semi-retirement of the band, Geils has been restoring sports cars in Massachusetts.
On 22 May 2006, the six original members had a surprise reunion, the first time they had all played together in over 20 years, at bassist Danny Klein's 60th birthday party at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston.
Since 2009 they are reunited once more.
The band disbanded in 2017 after the death of bandleader J. Geils.
First I Look at the Purse
The J. Geils Band Lyrics
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by the J. Geils Band
Some fellas look at the eyes
Some fellas look at the nose
Some fellas look at the size
Some fellas look at the clothes
I don't care if her eyes are red
I don't care if her nose is long
I don't care if she's underfed
I don't care if her clothes are worn
First I look at the purse!
Some fellas like the smiles they wear
Some fellas like the legs that's all
Some fellas like the style of their hair
Want their waist to be small.
I don't care if their legs are thin
I don't care if their teeth are big
I don't care if their hair's a wig
Why waste time lookin' at the waistline?
First I look at the purse!
A woman can be fat as can be,
kisses sweet as honey
But that don't mean a thing to me
If you ain't got no money
If the purse is fat....that's where it's at.
Some fellas like the way they walk
The way they swing and sway
Some fellas like the way they talk
Dig the things they say.
I don't care if they wobble like a...
or talk with a lisp
I still think I'm a good lover
if the dollar bills are crisp
First I look at the purse!
First I look at the purse!
First I look at the purse!
First I look at the purse!
I don't care if you got yourself a wrap
all I want is your pretty green cash
Bought me a suit, bought me a car
Want me to look like a hollywood star
Money, (Money!) I want money (Money!)
Baby, ain't no "why", baby (Money!)
I need money!
First I look at the purse!
First I look at the purse!
First I look at the purse!
First I look at the purse!
The J. Geils Band's "First I Look at the Purse" is a tongue-in-cheek song that satirizes men who are only interested in women for their money. The lyrics lampoon the varying qualities that some men may find attractive in a woman - such as her eyes, nose, size, or clothing - and instead prioritizes the size of her purse, i.e., her level of wealth or financial stability. The verses spotlight how some men may overlook a woman's physical appearance if she has enough money, while the chorus repeatedly emphasizes the importance of the purse above all else. The song features a comedic tone and playful delivery, and ultimately highlights societal expectations on gender roles and wealth.
On one level, the song can be seen as a commentary on the ways in which society values a person's wealth over other qualities, particularly in relationships. The song's protagonist - perhaps ironically - adopts the shallow reasoning of looking at a woman's money first, highlighting how our society often prioritizes financial stability over other factors when it comes to romantic relationships. Furthermore, the song subverts societal expectations of gender roles by portraying the male character as the gold digger of the relationship, inverting the typical gender roles of men being the provider.
By blatantly singing about valuing money over physical appearance and personality, the song's lyrics also poke fun at the superficial nature of human attraction. It plays on gender stereotypes and offers a humorous take on what people traditionally find attractive in a partner. Overall, "First I Look at the Purse" is an insightful critique of societal norms and expectations surrounding love, and a tongue-in-cheek celebration of the superficial and materialistic parts of human nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Some fellas look at the eyes
Some men are attracted to a woman's eyes
Some fellas look at the nose
Some men are attracted to a woman's nose
Some fellas look at the size
Some men are attracted to a woman's physique
Some fellas look at the clothes
Some men are attracted to a woman's clothing
I don't care if her eyes are red
I am not concerned if a woman has red eyes
I don't care if her nose is long
I am not concerned if a woman has a long nose
I don't care if she's underfed
I am not concerned if a woman is malnourished
I don't care if her clothes are worn
I am not concerned if a woman's clothing is old or tattered
First I look at the purse!
The first thing I am interested in when it comes to women is their financial status
Some fellas like the smiles they wear
Some men are attracted to a woman's smile
Some fellas like the legs that's all
Some men are only interested in a woman's legs
Some fellas like the style of their hair
Some men are attracted to a woman's hairstyle
Want their waist to be small.
Some men prefer women with small waists
I don't care if their legs are thin
I am not concerned if a woman has thin legs
I don't care if their teeth are big
I am not concerned if a woman has big teeth
I don't care if their hair's a wig
I am not concerned if a woman is wearing a wig
Why waste time lookin' at the waistline?
Why spend time focusing on a woman's waistline when there are more important things to consider?
A woman can be fat as can be,
A woman can be overweight
kisses sweet as honey
She may be a good kisser
But that don't mean a thing to me
But that is not what I am interested in
If you ain't got no money
If a woman does not have money
If the purse is fat....that's where it's at.
The size of a woman's purse is important to me
Some fellas like the way they walk
Some men find a woman's walk attractive
The way they swing and sway
How a woman moves when she walks is attractive to some men
Some fellas like the way they talk
Some men find a woman's speaking voice attractive
Dig the things they say.
They enjoy what a woman says
I still think I'm a good lover
Regardless of what a woman may lack, I still believe I am a good lover
if the dollar bills are crisp
As long as a woman has money
All I want is your pretty green cash
What I really want from you is your money
Bought me a suit, bought me a car
I have used money to purchase material possessions
Want me to look like a hollywood star
I want to appear wealthy and successful
Money, (Money!) I want money (Money!)
I am emphasizing my desire for money
Baby, ain't no "why", baby (Money!)
There is no explanation needed for my desire for money
I need money!
I have a strong need for money
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT ROGERS, SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind