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.
Come Back
The J. Geils Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You left me cryin' on my own
Tell me, tell me, what you gonna do
Tell me pretty baby
Cause I'm still in love with you
Come back (baby)
Come back-won't you come back to me
Come back-won't you come back to me
Here I'm standin' such a fool
It's not like you babe
Oh, don't be cruel
Help me, help me
Cause you know I'm not that strong
Help me, help me darlin'
I've been lonely for too long
Come back (baby)
Come back-won't you come back to me
Come back (baby)
Come back
Tell me, tell me, what you gonna do
Tell me pretty baby
Cause I'm still in love with you
Come back (baby)
Come back-won't you come back to me
Come back (baby)
Come back-won't you come back to me
Come back (baby)
Come back-please come back to me darlin'-aah
Come back (baby)
Come back-won't you come back to me
The J. Geils Band's song "Come Back" is a classic example of a plea for a lost love to come back to the singer. The verses of the song are filled with raw emotion, with the singer crying alone after their love has left them. The chorus then pleads for the love to come back, with the repetition of the phrase "Come back" emphasizing the singer's desperation. The bridge of the song has the singer admitting their weakness and asking for help, with the lyrics "Help me, help me/ Cause you know I'm not that strong/ Help me, help me darlin'/ I've been lonely for too long" conveying the deep sense of loneliness that comes with losing one's love.
Overall, the song is a powerful representation of the pain that comes with losing someone you love, and the desperate longing to have them back in your life.
Line by Line Meaning
When you left me all alone
After you departed, I was completely by myself.
You left me cryin' on my own
I was so upset that I was crying without any support from you.
Tell me, tell me, what you gonna do
Please inform me about your future plans and intentions.
Tell me pretty baby
Please tell me, my dear.
Cause I'm still in love with you
I'm still experiencing romantic feelings for you.
Come back (baby)
Return to me, dear.
Come back-won't you come back to me
Please return to be with me.
Here I'm standin' such a fool
I feel foolish and silly, standing here alone.
It's not like you babe
You are not acting very lovingly.
Oh, don't be cruel
Please do not be unkind.
Help me, help me
I require assistance and support.
Cause you know I'm not that strong
You are aware that I am not very resilient or emotionally tough.
Help me, help me darlin'
Please assist me, my dear.
I've been lonely for too long
I've felt solitary and disconnected for an extended period of time.
Come back-please come back to me darlin'-aah
Please come back to be with me, my dear - I implore you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: PETER WOLF, SETH JUSTMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Catherine Prior
This song to me is far superior to centerfold and freezeframe and shows how versatile this band was at rock. Kick ass cool!!!!
Alexander The Great
This is The J. Geils Band's best track EVER! It has a fabulous Disco-Tech and New Wave rhythm to it while it still is mostly Rock as well.
Michael Tousignant
Totally agree!!!! 👍
da324
Not in their top 20 to me.
tim striff
True ! And the (Must have got lost ) song interlude is really funny and cool
Victor Bravo
Alexander The Great and danceable to👍🇺🇸👍
Kaitlyn Karol
This song really DOES IT FOR ME - ALL THESE YRS LATER - THIS SONG ROCKS ME TO THE CORE AND NEVER GETS OLD!!! The sonic structure of this song w/ all the chord changes and sound effects and the wonderful chatlike command of COME BACK and then the sweet dreamy backing vocals of BABY!! Oh my God - can't ever get enough of this gem!! Good Lordy Miss Mordy!
Mick Loud
This band is sooo tight!!! I bought this album when it was released in 1980. Then I became interested in their stuff from the 70s and was blown away. I immediately became a huge fan especially Magic Dick!! This album was a departure from their previous blues influences. One of the main reasons they are so tight is they maintained their lineup throughout. RIP J Geils. My desktop is currently a picture of him and Magic Dick taken in the 70s damn they look so young!!! Every member is a virtuoso!!
JT Smith
I've been listening to this whole album since I'm 12. Still holds up. Not the classic J Geils but still awesome.
Porch Fyre
The vocals in the "baaaaby" lyrics always gave me chills. I've always liked that vocal effect in the old school rock sound.