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.
Believe In Me
The J. Geils Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
with somethin' on your mind
and darlin' tell me
why are you cryin'
you said be serious
no time for fun
well tryin' to tell me
something that I've done
couldn't be denied
before your opinion
listen to my side
You must believe me
no matter what the people might say
you must believe me
darlin' it just didn't happen that way
oh no it just didn't happen that way
Girl you're wrong
to believe what they say
for you see nothin'
could ever be that bad
talk is now
all over town
darlin' you know
I'll never put you down
for her and me
were at the party as guests
there's nothin' else to say
about this kind of mess
You must believe me
no matter what the people might say
you must believe me
darlin' it just didn't happen that way
oh no it just didn't happen that way
The J. Geils Band's song Believe in Me is a song that tells the story of an individual who comes home with something on their mind and is upset. The singer is trying to get through to their partner and explain something that had happened, but they are not being believed because of rumors that had been spread. The singer pleads with their partner to believe them and not listen to what the people have been saying. They assert that what they are being accused of did not happen and tries to explain it to their partner.
The lyrics of the song showcase the common relationship issues of communication and trust. The singer must persuade their partner that what is being said is not the truth and that they should listen to their side. Despite the rumors, the singer asserts to their lover that they will never put them down and that they shouldn't believe everything they hear about their partner. The song ends on a pleading note, imploring their partner to believe them despite everything that had been said about them.
Overall, Believe in Me is a song that reflects on the importance of trust and understanding in a relationship and highlights the importance of communication to avoid misunderstandings.
Line by Line Meaning
You come home
You arrived back at our home
with somethin' on your mind
You seem to be preoccupied with something
and darlin' tell me
And my affectionate term for you is used
why are you cryin'
You appear to be upset and are shedding tears
you said be serious
You requested me to be sincere
no time for fun
This isn't an amusing or relaxed situation
well tryin' to tell me
You're making an effort to confide in me
something that I've done
It's something that I am responsible for
things you've heard
Perhaps you received rumors or gossip
couldn't be denied
There's some truth to what was heard
before your opinion
Please listen to what I have to say first
listen to my side
I'd like to provide my explanation
You must believe me
Trust me, this is the truth
no matter what the people might say
Even if there are naysayers or skeptics
darlin' it just didn't happen that way
Dearest, that's not how it occurred
oh no it just didn't happen that way
I'm certain that it did not occur in that manner
Girl you're wrong
You're mistaken, my lady
to believe what they say
Accepting hearsay is an error in judgement
for you see nothin'
There's nothing to worry about
could ever be that bad
The situation isn't as dire as it's made out to be
talk is now
People are currently talking or gossiping
all over town
It's a widespread discussion topic
darlin' you know
My love, you understand
I'll never put you down
I'll never belittle or insult you
for her and me
The other person at the center of this story and I
were at the party as guests
We were at a gathering as invitees
there's nothin' else to say
That's the full explanation
about this kind of mess
Regarding this unpleasant situation
Contributed by Charlie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
46Melly
RIP J Geils
Jerry Andreas
old but cool
Tim
Theme song for Rockpalast. That’s what brought me here
M K
Me 2
Alonso Martínez
Same
Tom Belanovic
Me too. Didn't realise.
Paul Sanders
#metoo