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.
Teresa
The J. Geils Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And this color, the brightest day
And every dawn, my heart turns darker
Is this the price I must pay?
What should I do next, Teresa
Where did I go wrong?
What should I do next, Teresa
Am I lost, am I forgotten
Have I strayed too far from home
I've known love and I've known madness
Must I find my way alone?
What should I do next, Teresa
Where did I go wrong?
What should I do next, Teresa
Please help me, but don't wait too long
Please help me, but don't wait too long
The J. Geils Band's song Teresa appears to be a reflective piece about a man who is lamenting the choices he's made in his life. As the song progresses, it's clear that he's struggling to come to terms with the consequences of his actions. The opening lines, "I remember every moment/And this color, the brightest day/And every dawn, my heart turns darker/Is this the price I must pay?" seems to suggest that the singer of the song is clinging onto a memory of happiness or an idyllic time in his life. It's unclear what exactly this memory is, but it's enough to make him wonder if his current misery is a punishment for some past wrongdoing.
As the song continues, the singer seems to be directing his questions at a certain "Teresa." He's asking her what he should do next and where he went wrong. It's not entirely clear who Teresa is or what their relationship to the singer is, but it's evident that he's looking to her for guidance. He's questioning whether he's lost or forgotten, if he's strayed too far from home, and if he's destined to find his way alone.
Overall, the song seems to be a meditation on regret, lost opportunities, and the desire for redemption. The singer seems to be grappling with his own shortcomings and searching for a way to make things right. The chorus, "Please help me, but don't wait too long," suggests that he's aware that time is running out and that he needs to act fast if he wants to set himself on the right path.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember every moment
I have vivid memories of every moment we shared together
And this color, the brightest day
Those moments were the happiest, brightest times of my life
And every dawn, my heart turns darker
But with each passing day without you, I become more and more depressed
Is this the price I must pay?
I wonder if this is the inevitable cost of losing you
What should I do next, Teresa
I am lost without you and need your guidance
Where did I go wrong?
I don't understand where I made a mistake
Please help me, but don't wait too long
I need your help, but I don't want to lose you again by waiting too long to reach out
Am I lost, am I forgotten
I feel like I have no direction or purpose without you
Have I strayed too far from home
Maybe I've gone too far down the wrong path to come back
I've known love and I've known madness
Our past had moments of both love and chaos
Must I find my way alone?
But now I feel completely alone and lost
Please help me, but don't wait too long
Once again, I plead for your help, but I am afraid to lose you for good
Contributed by Peyton W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bbcala9719
Wow. J Giles laying it down. Great song. What else can I say, the song says it all. Beautiful
@radcam69
A gem of a posting. Great video, sound.
@discobikerbarefootacrylics6130
My name is Teresa. An ex gave me a copy of the song. I used to hate it. Over 35 years later, it grew on me. It's actually pretty.
@lavenderstones4930
A beautiful song
@stv111play
WOW! great number.
@stv111play
still remember every word, favorite band in burlington mass 80,s
@RolandMael
Peter and Seth in the moment and thinking about my ex Teresa and I'm in tears here, but still totally in love...❤
@teresawallace1721
Never forgotton. Love Teresa
@tricianindel7909
It is so awesome to have a song for you, especially this one. :)
@joedefelice7001
Great job Seth!! Joey.