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.
Flame Thrower
The J. Geils Band Lyrics
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Back with all her might
She carries a burnin' torch inside
She holds it firm and tight
She punches out the clock
While it keeps punchin' out her life
She's a flamethrower, red-hot glower
Flamethrower at night
They hang off her kinda loose
Her blouse don't fit, the pants ain't right
She ain't no front page news
But when her work is done
And the daytime turns to night
The headlines flash in neon
That the girl has taken flight
Chairman of the board
Won't look her in the eye
The fire of her vision
His money just can't buy
Silently she waits
Silently she contemplates
She can make 'em tremble
You know the reason why
[Chorus]
She's a flame, flamethrower
She's a flamethrower at night
She's a flame, a red-hot glower
She's a flamethrower at night
You might think you're burnin'
All your candles at both ends
Maybe you should go to church
To make up some amends
But if you think you're fireproof
So cool and much too much
Don't dare go near my baby
Cause she'll melt you with her touch
I forget the darkness
I forget the pain
When she's movin' through my heart
And when she's pumpin' through my veins
She's the part inside me
I never can control
And she's the only reason
I know I've got a soul
[Chorus]
The J. Geils Band's song Flame Thrower tells the story of a woman who carries a burnin' torch inside her all day long while she punches out the clock in a mundane job. She's described as a flamethrower with a red-hot glower at night, and her power and strength are evident as she contemplates her next move. She's a force to be reckoned with, and the world around her can't help but take notice. The Chairman of the Board won't look her in the eye, but she silently waits and contemplates, biding her time until she can make them all tremble. She is a symbol of resilience, power, and perseverance, and her presence and determination leave a lasting impression.
Line by Line Meaning
All day long she holds it back
She suppresses her true self and emotions throughout the entire day
Back with all her might
She uses all of her strength to keep her true self hidden
She carries a burnin' torch inside
She has a passion and intensity burning inside of her that she keeps hidden
She holds it firm and tight
She has complete control over her passions and emotions
She punches out the clock
She finishes work for the day
While it keeps punchin' out her life
Her job drains her and takes a toll on her life
She's a flamethrower, red-hot glower
She has a powerful, intense presence at night
Flamethrower at night
Her true self and passions come to life at night
The things she wears at work
Her work attire
They hang off her kinda loose
Her work clothes don't fit her properly
Her blouse don't fit, the pants ain't right
Her clothes don't fit and don't make her feel comfortable
She ain't no front page news
She's not a standout or noticeable at work
But when her work is done
After she has finished work for the day
And the daytime turns to night
As the sun goes down and the night begins
The headlines flash in neon
She becomes the center of attention
That the girl has taken flight
She has become free and unleashed her true self
Chairman of the board
The top executive in the company
Won't look her in the eye
He doesn't respect her and looks down on her
The fire of her vision
Her passion and drive
His money just can't buy
Her passion cannot be bought
Silently she waits
She patiently and quietly waits
Silently she contemplates
She thinks deeply and introspectively
She can make 'em tremble
Her powerful presence and intensity can intimidate others
You know the reason why
It's because of her intense passion
[Chorus]
The main refrain of the song
You might think you're burnin'
You might feel like you're on fire
All your candles at both ends
You're burning yourself out from working too hard
Maybe you should go to church
You should take time to reflect and recharge
To make up some amends
To make up for any wrongdoings
But if you think you're fireproof
If you think you're invincible
So cool and much too much
If you're overconfident and think you're too cool
Don't dare go near my baby
Don't mess with the woman I care about
Cause she'll melt you with her touch
She has a powerful and intoxicating touch
I forget the darkness
The darkness in my life fades away
I forget the pain
My pain disappears
When she's movin' through my heart
When I'm with her and she moves me emotionally
And when she's pumpin' through my veins
When I'm completely consumed by my emotions for her
She's the part inside me
She is a fundamental part of me
I never can control
I can't stop my intense emotions for her
And she's the only reason
She is the sole reason
I know I've got a soul
I know that I have emotions and passions
[Chorus]
The main refrain of the song
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: SETH JUSTMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind