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.
Somebody
The J. Geils Band Lyrics
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I really didn't care
I had already gone too far
To let them steal my share
So, like a fool I took 'em on
And as my anger cool
I realized I could take all mine
I know I must be crazy
I'm bound to wake up dead
Somebody, somebody
Waitin' outside my back door
Somebody, somebody
Tryin' to even up the score
I figured I should lay real low
And stayed away from town
I covered up all my moves
So, it'd be hard to track me down
But I started gettin' shaky
And I paced around the floor
Hiding out all alone
I couldn't take much more
Just sitting 'round here waitin'
Is drivin' me up the wall
Somebody, somebody
Waitin' outside my back door
Somebody, somebody
Tryin' to even up the score
So, I called up my old friend Marlene
Who was lookin' for some fun
I got drunk and like a fool
I told her, what I'd done
I heard them knockin' at my door
They got to me at last
It don't take much to figure out
How they'd found me out so fast
And when I looked for my Marlene
I saw that she was gone
Somebody, somebody
Waitin' outside my back door
Somebody somebody
Tryin' to even up the score
Somebody, somebody
Waitin' outside my back door
Somebody, somebody
Tryin' to even up the score
Somebody, somebody
Waitin' outside my back door
Somebody, somebody
Tryin' to even up the score
The J. Geils Band's "Somebody" is a tale of a man who refuses to heed the warnings around him and ultimately faces the consequences of his actions. The singer is a reckless character who has already gone too far into whatever troubles he now faces. He refuses to let anyone steal his share, even if it means taking on others in battle. As he cools down, he realizes that he could take his own share of the spoils and emerge victorious. However, the singer is already aware of the price of what he has done and believes that he will eventually end up dead.
He then goes into hiding and covers his tracks, hoping to throw the pursuers off his trail. However, as the days drag on, he realizes that he cannot pretend forever, and the thought of someone waiting outside his backdoor is causing him severe anxiety. In a moment of vulnerability, he confides in his friend Marlene, who he gets drunk with and tells her everything. But even with Marlene by his side, he can still sense someone knocking at his door, someone who has come to even up the score for the deeds he has done.
The "Somebody" lyrics are a testament to the consequences of our actions in life. The message of the song is for people to be mindful of their actions and weigh the pros and cons before taking irreversible steps. It is common for people to be overconfident and oblivious to the potential consequences of their actions. But it is important to remember that actions have consequences and can also invite trouble.
Line by Line Meaning
I didn't take the warning
I completely ignored the warning.
I really didn't care
I did not have any concern or interest in what was going to happen.
I had already gone too far
I had already made the mistake, and it was irreversible.
To let them steal my share
I didn't want anyone to take what belonged to me.
So, like a fool I took 'em on
I foolishly decided to confront and fight them.
And as my anger cool
As time passed by, I began to think more clearly and rationally.
I realized I could take all mine
I realized that I could recover what belonged to me.
And skip off with theirs, too
I could take what they had as well, even though it wasn't mine.
I know I must be crazy
I am aware that my actions are illogical and irrational.
I'm bound to wake up dead
My reckless behavior is likely to have terrible consequences.
Somebody, somebody
There is someone lurking around and following me.
Waitin' outside my back door
They are waiting for me to come out of my house.
Tryin' to even up the score
They are seeking revenge or trying to take what belongs to them.
I figured I should lay real low
I thought it was best to stay hidden and not draw attention to myself.
And stayed away from town
I avoided going to places where I might be recognized or seen.
I covered up all my moves
I made sure that my actions and whereabouts were concealed.
So, it'd be hard to track me down
I did not want anyone to find or locate me easily.
But I started gettin' shaky
I began to feel nervous and anxious.
And I paced around the floor
I walked back and forth in a state of anxiety.
Hiding out all alone
I was alone in my hiding place.
I couldn't take much more
I was at the brink of a breakdown and could not endure it anymore.
Just sitting 'round here waitin'
I am just waiting here with nothing to do.
Is drivin' me up the wall
It is making me feel crazy and unbearable.
So, I called up my old friend Marlene
I contacted Marlene who I have known for a long time.
Who was lookin' for some fun
Marlene was interested in having a good time.
I got drunk and like a fool
I consumed alcohol and acted carelessly.
I told her, what I'd done
I confided in Marlene and revealed what I had done.
I heard them knockin' at my door
I heard someone knocking on my door.
They got to me at last
They finally found and caught up with me.
It don't take much to figure out
It doesn't require much thinking to understand.
How they'd found me out so fast
How they were able to locate me so quickly.
And when I looked for my Marlene
When I searched for Marlene.
I saw that she was gone
I discovered that Marlene was no longer with me.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PETER WOLF, SETH JUSTMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind