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.
Wild Man
The J. Geils Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You look in
You can't lose
I can't win
And I'm out
Screamin' at the moon again
I got fire in my brain
And my mind is screwed up
Way beyond amends
I'm a Wild Man
I'm a child man
I'm a Wild Man
And I'm screamin' at the borderline
I've been raped
I've been fried
I got nothing
Left to hide
When I'm out
Out in the cold again
Now I'm down
On my knees
You're not suicide's tease
And I just cant bare to see another dawn again
I'm a Wild Man
I'm a child man
I'm a Wild Man
And I'm screamin' at the borderline
I'm a Wild Man
And I'm screamin' at the borderline
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm a Wild Man
I'm a Wild Man
I'm a Wild Man
I'm a Wild Man
The lyrics to The J. Geils Band's song Wild Man describe an individual who feels trapped and hopeless. The first stanza suggests a feeling of frustration and a sense of powerlessness in the face of external circumstances. The second stanza describes an internal struggle – a mind that is "screwed up" and split between intense emotions – fire and ice. The chorus then reflects on the singer's identity – a wild man, a child man – and ultimately a creature that is "screamin' at the borderline."
The third stanza brings up past trauma – rape and frying – and a sense of exposure and vulnerability. The fourth stanza appears to be a plea for help, a recognition that suicide is not the answer, and a desperate desire for relief from the pain. The final repetition of "I'm a Wild Man" suggests a resignation to the turmoil inside.
Overall, the lyrics describe a deeply troubled individual who is struggling with internal and external forces beyond their control. The singer is screaming for help, but seems to lack the words, the agency, or the support to find relief.
Line by Line Meaning
I look out
I am looking outwards, perhaps seeking something in my surroundings.
You look in
You are looking inwards, perhaps reflecting on your thoughts and emotions.
You can't lose
You cannot be defeated or harmed in any way.
I can't win
I cannot be victorious or successful in any way.
And I'm out
I am disconnected or isolated from others or society.
Screamin' at the moon again
I am expressing my frustration or anger in a futile or meaningless way.
I got fire in my brain
I am feeling intense emotions, such as passion or anger, that are overwhelming my thoughts.
I got ice in my veins
I am feeling emotionally numb or deadened, perhaps as a result of past experiences.
And my mind is screwed up
My thoughts and feelings are disorganized or distorted, potentially reflecting a mental health issue.
Way beyond amends
My problems cannot be fixed or resolved through any means.
I'm a Wild Man
I am untamed or unpredictable, potentially dangerous or unstable.
I'm a child man
I am immature or childish in my behaviors or decisions.
And I'm screamin' at the borderline
I am expressing my discontent or rebellion against societal norms or boundaries.
I've been raped
I have been victimized or violated, potentially sexually.
I've been fried
I have been emotionally or mentally overwhelmed or damaged, potentially through drug use or trauma.
I got nothing
I possess nothing, perhaps referring to material possessions or personal qualities.
Left to hide
I have no secrets or privacy left.
Now I'm down
I am feeling defeated, depressed, or physically weakened.
On my knees
I am in a position of submission or supplication, potentially physically or emotionally.
You're not suicide's tease
You are not tempting me towards self-harm or suicide, either intentionally or unintentionally.
And I just cant bare to see another dawn again
I cannot bear to face another day, perhaps due to emotional or physical pain or suffering.
I'm a Wild Man
I am still untamed or unstable, potentially dangerous to myself or others.
And I'm screamin' at the borderline
I am still expressing my discontent or rebellion against societal norms or boundaries.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
This phrase is likely used for emphasis, and does not have a specific meaning.
I'm a Wild Man
I am still untamed or unpredictable, with a potentially negative impact on others or myself.
Contributed by Cameron A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
FaxMe2Barbados
So under rated, these guys have such talent.
I look out, you look in
You can't lose, I can't win
And I'm out
Screamin' at the moon again
I got fire in my brain
I got ice in my veins
And my mind is screwed up
Way beyond amend
I'm a wild man
I'm a child man
I'm a wild man
I'm standing at the borderline
I've been raped, I've been fried
I got nothing left to hide
And I'm out
Out in the cold again
Now I'm down on my knees
In that Suicide Squeeze
And I just can't bare
To see another dawn again
And I'm down on the street
While you die in your sleep
but the day will come when
we meet again face to face
I'm a wild man
I'm a child man
I'm a wild man
Standin at the borderline
I'm a wild man
Standin at the borderline...
James M
The Best Show Band In the Business, never less than 3 encores and in the beginning no one I mean No one wanted them as a warm up band! Always a great time at one of their shows.
Michael Monfils
The first album I ever bought when I came of age was J. Geils Band "Bloodshot," on the strength of the cover art. What a great band! 50 years later I appreciate them even more. Fantastic musicians, writers and performers!!! I love 'em even more now. R.I.P. J. Geils; I will pass your legacy on to my children and grandchildren.
Suke Bass
Man! Love This! This record spent a lot of time in my car's 8 track player when I was a senior in high school!
Patricia Jablonski
Loved this 8 track band!! Wonder what 'Magic Dick" is up to these days....NEVER forget that concert at UMass/Amherst. Thought the cement walls were going to crumble in the Fine Arts Ctr!!!!
Angela
I love this Band. I used to listen to them when I was little. This is great classic rock n roll. These guys were awesome performers.
Susan O'Dell
I am from Detroit and saw them several times in the 70s, What great performers. HALL OF FAME 2017, I say!
FaxMe2Barbados
So under rated, these guys have such talent.
I look out, you look in
You can't lose, I can't win
And I'm out
Screamin' at the moon again
I got fire in my brain
I got ice in my veins
And my mind is screwed up
Way beyond amend
I'm a wild man
I'm a child man
I'm a wild man
I'm standing at the borderline
I've been raped, I've been fried
I got nothing left to hide
And I'm out
Out in the cold again
Now I'm down on my knees
In that Suicide Squeeze
And I just can't bare
To see another dawn again
And I'm down on the street
While you die in your sleep
but the day will come when
we meet again face to face
I'm a wild man
I'm a child man
I'm a wild man
Standin at the borderline
I'm a wild man
Standin at the borderline...
Kim Wilson
I always loved these guys. Saw them at the garden, early 80s.
Anthony Beal
These guys put on one of the best shows I've ever seen....Saw them at The Concord Pavilion (Ca) in 1982. MagicDick (Richard Salwitz) was in rare form.....
REM
Wore this album AND 8 track out!!! Superb band and unfortunately never got to see them! This is ‘78 sophomore HS I believe👍