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.
Surrender
The J. Geils Band Lyrics
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Or maybe you just can't see
Listen
Well, I don't know just what it is
But you sure got a hold on me
Could it be that you're mistaken
I've been pleased, teased
Baby, I've been squeezed
But never like this before
My lovin' don't come easy
My lovin' don't come cheap
Surrender
Give up your heart
Surrender
Don't take my heart
So you say that you want me, darling
Well I heard that time after time
I might never get your sweet sweet love
But that ain't gonna stop me from tryin'
You say that you really want me
But how much are you willing to pay
Surrender
Give up your heart
Surrender
Don't take my heart
Ooh, come on baby
Tell me how you feel
Come on baby
My love for you is real
Maybe you just want to hurt me
and don't fall in love too deep
Surrender
Give up your heart
Surrender
Don't take my heart
Surrender
The J. Geils Band's song Surrender is about the struggle between two people who are attracted to each other, but one is afraid of commitment. The lyrics suggest that the person in question feels like they don't have control over their own feelings, unable to resist the pull of the other person. The first verse explores the idea that it might be mind over matter or the other person's inability to see how much they are affecting the singer. The chorus is an appeal to the other person to either give up their heart to the singer or to not take theirs.
The second verse discusses the mixed signals the other person is giving, claiming they want the singer but also questioning if they are just mistaken about their feelings. The singer then goes on to express that they've never been so affected by anyone before, indicating that this person really is something special to them. The next chorus is essentially the same, asking the other person to either give up their heart or leave the singer's alone.
The final verse is somewhat of an ultimatum, where the singer is saying that they will continue to pursue the other person regardless of whether or not they reciprocate their love. It's possible that the singer believes that the other person is deliberately holding back their feelings or playing games, but regardless, the singer isn't willing to throw in the towel just yet and continues to push for the other person's surrender. Overall, the lyrics suggest a one-sided love affair that is filled with insecurity and uncertainty, but the singer is determined to make it work.
Line by Line Meaning
Could it be mind over matter
Is it possible that it's just a mental challenge?
Or maybe you just can't see
Perhaps you're oblivious to what's happening.
Listen
Listen up and pay attention.
Well, I don't know just what it is
I'm not certain what's going on.
But you sure got a hold on me
You definitely have a grip on me.
Could it be that you're mistaken
Is it possible that you're wrong?
How do you know for sure
What makes you so certain?
I've been pleased, teased
I've experienced pleasure and temptation.
Baby, I've been squeezed
You've put the pressure on.
But never like this before
But never quite as intensely as this.
My lovin' don't come easy
I'm not easily swayed by love.
My lovin' don't come cheap
I'm not willing to give it away easily or for nothing.
Surrender
Give in to me.
Give up your heart
Open yourself up emotionally to me.
Surrender
Give in to me.
Don't take my heart
Don't break my heart.
So you say that you want me, darling
You claim that you desire me, my dear.
Well I heard that time after time
I've heard that line repeatedly.
I might never get your sweet sweet love
Perhaps I won't ever have your love.
But that ain't gonna stop me from tryin'
But that's not going to prevent me from pursuing you.
You say that you really want me
You insist that you truly desire me.
But how much are you willing to pay
What are you willing to give up for me?
Ooh, come on baby
Come on, my love.
Tell me how you feel
Explain your emotions to me.
Come on baby
My love for you is genuine.
Maybe you just want to hurt me
Perhaps you only seek to cause me pain.
and don't fall in love too deep
And you're not interested in developing a deep emotional attachment.
Surrender
Give in to me.
Give up your heart
Open yourself up emotionally to me.
Surrender
Give in to me.
Don't take my heart
Don't break my heart.
Surrender
Give in to me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind