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.
Flamethrower
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 "Flamethrower" is about a woman who works tirelessly during the day carrying a torch inside, but when night falls, she unleashes her inner flame and becomes a "red-hot glower" who can make others tremble. The lyrics describe the struggles of a working-class woman who has to put up with a job she doesn't like and wear clothes that don't fit her properly. Despite this, she doesn't let it get her down and instead uses the frustration and anger she feels at work to fuel her fiery personality once she's off the clock. The chairman of the board might not look her in the eye and her boss might underestimate her, but she knows she has a power within her that is unmatched.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the woman's power, calling her a "flamethrower" who is red-hot both in terms of her anger and the passion she brings to all aspects of her life. The song's narrator, who is likely a man, is enamored with her and feels that she brings his life meaning and purpose. He forgets his pain when she is near and sees her as the embodiment of his soul.
Line by Line Meaning
All day long she holds it back
Throughout the day, she restrains herself from expressing her true feelings or thoughts.
Back with all her might
She exerts a great amount of effort to hold back her feelings.
She carries a burnin' torch inside
She harbors strong, passionate emotions inside her.
She holds it firm and tight
She keeps her feelings under strict control.
She punches out the clock
She works in a job that requires clocking in and out of work.
While it keeps punchin' out her life
Her job drains her life energy and is taking its toll on her.
She's a flamethrower, red-hot glower
She is full of fiery passion and intensity.
Flamethrower at night
Her passion ignites at night when she is free to express herself.
The things she wears at work
Her work attire does not fit her well or is not flattering.
They hang off her kinda loose
Her clothes are not form-fitting.
Her blouse don't fit, the pants ain't right
She feels uncomfortable in her work attire.
She ain't no front page news
She doesn't stand out or attract attention in her workplace or in the media.
But when her work is done
After she finishes work for the day.
And the daytime turns to night
At night, when she has free time.
The headlines flash in neon
People take notice of her and recognize her talents and potential.
That the girl has taken flight
She has finally broken free and expressed herself confidently.
Chairman of the board
The head of the company she works for.
Won't look her in the eye
He avoids direct communication with her out of fear or insecurity.
The fire of her vision
Her passionate vision and drive.
His money just can't buy
He cannot obtain or control her passion and drive with his wealth or power.
Silently she waits
She patiently plans and prepares to unleash her passion.
Silently she contemplates
She carefully considers how to approach and express herself.
She can make 'em tremble
She has the power to intimidate or inspire those around her.
You know the reason why
The reason for her power and influence is evident.
[Chorus]
The refrain repeats the previously stated idea that she is a powerful, passionate force at night.
You might think you're burnin'
You may believe that you are pushing yourself to the limit.
All your candles at both ends
Expending your energy in both day and night commitments.
Maybe you should go to church
Implying that you need a higher power to help balance your life and passions.
To make up some amends
To atone for your excesses.
But if you think you're fireproof
If you overestimate your strength and capacity.
So cool and much too much
Feeling invincible and underestimating the power of others.
Don't dare go near my baby
Don't put yourself in a position to be challenged by her power and intensity.
Cause she'll melt you with her touch
Her passion is infectious and will consume you.
I forget the darkness
The power of her passion helps me forget pain and hardship.
I forget the pain
Her passion helps me overcome emotional pain and sadness.
When she's movin' through my heart
The power of her passion affects me deeply and personally.
And when she's pumpin' through my veins
I feel the intensity and energy of her passion in my body.
She's the part inside me
Her passion is a significant aspect of my personality and identity.
I never can control
I am unable to contain or suppress her passion within me.
And she's the only reason
Her influence and passion are the driving force behind my life experiences.
I know I've got a soul
The power and intensity of her passion helps me recognize my own capacity for emotion and love.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: SETH JUSTMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind