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.
You're the Only One
The J. Geils Band Lyrics
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Just why I feel this way
There must be all kinds of reasons
So many things I could say
And I know I'm not mistaken
This is love and that's for sure
You, you're the only one
You, you're the only one
There are times I remember
It wasn't so long ago
I was lonely, sad and confused
I didn't know where to go
But baby I want to tell you
Just how good you make me feel
You, you're the only one
You're the only one
You, you're the only one
I'd be a fool to deny it
I want everyone to know
You, you're the only one
You're the only one
You, you're the only one
Baby, baby
The J. Geils Band's song "You're the Only One" is a love song that expresses the singer's feelings of love and affection towards a special someone. The lyrics try to explain why he feels the way he does and acknowledges that there exist many reasons why he loves this person. He knows without a doubt that what he feels is love.
The verse "There are times I remember, It wasn't so long ago, I was lonely, sad and confused, I didn't know where to go" suggests that the singer had some difficulties in life before. Perhaps he was searching for love or companionship and finally found it in this special someone who makes him feel good. He wants to let this person know just how much they mean to him.
The chorus of the song ("You, you're the only one, You're the only one") signifies that this person holds a unique and special place in his heart. He wants everybody to know how important this person is to him and how much he loves them.
The song's lyrics are quite straightforward, but they capture the essence of what love is all about. The J. Geils Band's rendition of it, with its upbeat melody and catchy chorus, make it a popular choice for romantic moments.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PETER WOLF, SETH JUSTMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind