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.
Givin' It All Up
The J. Geils Band Lyrics
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Made it through the night/I can finally breathe again/
I'll fly at the speed of light/just to find you/just find you/
Just leave it all up to me/
To Make things right/they way that it used to be/
(Oh!) You can Leave it all up to me
I'll still fight/fight just to make you see
I won't quietly/it wont be that easy/
The force of a hundred men could never stop me see/
You can't give on what we fought to be/
Even if it seems that the world is on top of me/
cs long as there's another day....i will fight for you this way
Just leave it all up to me/
To Make things right/they way that it used to be/
(Oh!) You can Leave it all up to me
I'll still fight/fight just to make you see
I won't back down/I will stand my ground
I will get back up/I will keep on trying
I won't give up/until I lift you up/
No, I ain't done fighting...No i ain't done fighting/
Just leave it all up to me/
To Make things right/they way that it used to be/
(Oh!) You can Leave it all up to me
I'll still fight/fight just to make you see
The lyrics of The J. Geils Band's song "Givin' It All Up" convey a message of determination, resilience, and unwavering commitment in the face of challenges and adversity. The opening lines, "I watch the sun break through the sky, Made it through the night, I can finally breathe again, I'll fly at the speed of light just to find you," suggest a sense of renewal and a willingness to go to great lengths to reach a goal or a loved one.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the singer's willingness to take on the burden of making things right and fighting for what they believe in. The repetition of the phrase "Just leave it all up to me" conveys a sense of responsibility and determination to restore things to how they were before, despite any obstacles that may arise.
The lyrics then emphasize the singer's refusal to give up, even in the face of overwhelming challenges. The imagery of the "force of a hundred men" unable to stop the singer highlights their unwavering commitment to their cause and their belief in the strength of their convictions. The line "Even if it seems that the world is on top of me" suggests a sense of being overwhelmed but still willing to persevere.
The final verses of the song reinforce the singer's determination to keep fighting and never give up. The repetition of "I won't back down, I will stand my ground, I will get back up, I will keep on trying" underscores the resilience and fortitude of the singer. The refusal to give up until they have achieved their goal, expressed through the lines "I won't give up until I lift you up, No, I ain't done fighting," conveys a powerful message of perseverance and dedication. The overall message of the song is one of unwavering commitment, resilience, and the willingness to fight for what is important.
Line by Line Meaning
I watch the sun break through the sky
I see hope and light after a dark period
Made it through the night, I can finally breathe again
Surviving a difficult time has brought relief and renewal
I'll fly at the speed of light just to find you, just find you
I will go to great lengths to be with you
Just leave it all up to me, to make things right the way that it used to be
Trust me to fix things and restore them to how they once were
(Oh!) You can leave it all up to me, I'll still fight just to make you see
I will continue to fight for you and our relationship
I won't quietly, it won't be that easy
I won't give up silently, overcoming challenges is not simple
The force of a hundred men could never stop me see
I am determined and nothing can stand in my way
You can't give on what we fought to be, even if it seems that the world is on top of me
We cannot abandon what we have worked hard for, even in the face of adversity
As long as there's another day, I will fight for you this way
I will continue to fight for our love as long as I have the opportunity
I won't back down, I will stand my ground
I will not retreat, I will remain firm in my beliefs
I will get back up, I will keep on trying
I will rise after setbacks and persist in my efforts
I won't give up until I lift you up
I will not cease until I have helped you rise above your challenges
No, I ain't done fighting. No, I ain't done fighting
I am not finished with the battle, I will keep fighting for us
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Phil Crowley
The most underrated song by J Geils.
Robert Randall
Great song