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.
Til The Walls Come Tumblin' down
The J. Geils Band Lyrics
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Too much too soon if you know what I mean
I lost my mind by the count of ten
Nobody ever gonna put me back together again
[Chorus:]
You gotta knock it out rock it
You gotta sock it out rock it
Til the walls come tumbln' down
Ladies flirtations I can't resist
I got to order you decease and desist
I just need some immoral support
And if your momma don't like it she can take me to court
[Chorus:]
Mash those potatoes don't be shy
Feels so good don't you ask me why
The night is wild but I'm in control
You gotta brush your teeth with rock 'n' roll
[Chorus:]
The J. Geils Band's "Til The Walls Come Tumblin' Down" is a song that captures the essence of rock and roll in its purest form. The lyrics bring out the wild and rebellious spirit that is often associated with rock and roll music. The song starts with the singer smashing his TV screen and losing his mind due to the overwhelming nature of his surroundings. The lyrics suggest that he has had enough of the mundane life and is ready to let loose and embrace the wildness of rock and roll.
The chorus of the song talks about knocking it out and socking it out until the walls come tumbling down. This is a clear representation of the wild and carefree nature of rock and roll music. The lyrics suggest that one should keep rocking until there is no more energy left to put into the music. It is a call to embrace the passion and energy that the music brings and to keep going until there is no more left to give.
The second verse of the song talks about the singer's attraction to women and his inability to resist their flirtations. The lyrics suggest that the singer needs some immoral support and is not afraid to face the consequences of his actions. The chorus repeats again, emphasizing the message that one needs to keep on rocking until there is no more left to give.
Line by Line Meaning
Smashed a hole through my TV screen
I was so overwhelmed that I destroyed my own television set in a fit of passion.
Too much too soon if you know what I mean
The intensity of my experience was too much for me to handle at once.
I lost my mind by the count of ten
I became so engrossed in the experience that I lost track of reality.
Nobody ever gonna put me back together again
The experience changed me so much that I can never go back to who I was before.
You gotta knock it out rock it
You have to give it your all and really rock out.
You gotta sock it out rock it
You have to keep going and never give up.
You gotta rock rock rock it
You have to really embrace the experience and let loose.
Til the walls come tumbln' down
Keep going until everything falls apart.
Ladies flirtations I can't resist
I am easily tempted by the attention of women.
I got to order you decease and desist
I have to control myself and stop indulging in temptation.
I just need some immoral support
I am seeking validation for my actions, even if they are considered wrong.
And if your momma don't like it she can take me to court
I am willing to face consequences for my actions, even legal ones.
Mash those potatoes don't be shy
Let loose and have fun, don't hold back.
Feels so good don't you ask me why
I am enjoying the experience so much that I don't need a reason.
The night is wild but I'm in control
Even though things are chaotic, I am still in charge of my own experience.
You gotta brush your teeth with rock 'n' roll
You have to embrace the wild and crazy lifestyle of rock 'n' roll, even in your daily habits.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: PETER WOLF, SETH JUSTMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind