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.
Piss on the Wall
The J. Geils Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To some I'm a sinner, to others a saint
Some folks say the world ain't what is is
All I know is I just got to take a wiz
Where am I goin' and where have I been
My head's in the clouds and my tail's in a spin
Jumpin' out of planes for the thrill of it all
Then I bounce back and take a Piss On The Wall
They oughta save their breath
Mean streak, blue streak
They sentence me to death
Harangue me from a tree
Twist and shout until I crawl
Do the flip, do the flop
Piss on the wall
Well the Yanks hate the Reds
And the Greeks hate the Turks
I really hate to say it
But they're all a bunch of jerks
Seems like everybody's shakin'
Cause the big one's 'bout to fall
I'm just tryin' to hold it steady while I
Piss on the wall
The J. Geils Band's "Piss on the Wall" is a song that can be interpreted in many ways, but its central theme is that of life's uncertainty. The song's opening lines, "Some people think the world is what it ain't, to some I'm a sinner, to others a saint," serve to illustrate the wide variety of perspectives and opinions that exist in the world. The song then goes on to address issues like politics, conflict, and death before settling on the mundane yet essential act of urination as a way of grounding oneself in a confusing and chaotic world. The lyrics suggest that even while everything else may be up in the air, a person always has the ability to do something as simple and basic as taking a leak.
In addition to its existential themes, "Piss on the Wall" is also a tribute to the liberating power of rock and roll. The line "Jumpin' out of planes for the thrill of it all, then I bounce back and take a piss on the wall" exemplifies the reckless abandon and devil-may-care attitude that characterized many of the best rock acts of the 70s and 80s. The song's irreverent tone and bouncy, upbeat instrumentation make it a classic example of authentic rock and roll.
Line by Line Meaning
Now some people think the world is what it ain't
There are people who hold false beliefs about the world.
To some I'm a sinner, to others a saint
People hold differing opinions about me and my actions.
Some folks say the world ain't what is is
There are individuals who claim that reality is not what it appears to be.
All I know is I just got to take a wiz
I am simply in need of using the restroom.
Where am I goin' and where have I been
I am uncertain about my future and where I have come from.
My head's in the clouds and my tail's in a spin
I feel confused and disoriented about my surroundings.
Jumpin' out of planes for the thrill of it all
I engage in high-risk activities for the excitement they bring.
Then I bounce back and take a Piss On The Wall
After such activities, I find relief in using the restroom.
Politics, shmolitics
I dismiss politics and its associated arguments.
They oughta save their breath
Those who argue about politics should conserve their energy.
Mean streak, blue streak
People insult me frequently and without reason.
They sentence me to death
Others judge me harshly or unfairly without due cause.
Harangue me from a tree
People berate or criticize me publicly or openly.
Twist and shout until I crawl
The emotional abuse I experience may lead to my emotional breakdown.
Do the flip, do the flop
I engage in erratic, unpredictable behavior.
Piss on the wall
I seek relief after experiencing various forms of turmoil and stress.
Well the Yanks hate the Reds
American people feel animosity towards the Russians.
And the Greeks hate the Turks
People from Greek and Turkish origins display distaste for each other.
I really hate to say it
Though uncomfortable, there are certain truths that must be addressed.
But they're all a bunch of jerks
All parties involved in the aforementioned conflicts display immaturity and shortsightedness.
Seems like everybody's shakin'
There is an atmosphere of unrest thanks to global conflicts.
Cause the big one's 'bout to fall
There is an impending sense that a cataclysmic event is nearing.
I'm just tryin' to hold it steady while I
I attempt to maintain my emotional and psychological composure.
Piss on the wall
I engage in a basic human function as a means of coping with the chaos around me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: SETH JUSTMAN, PETER WOLF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind