Freeze Frame (song)
"Freeze-Frame" is a song written by Seth Justman and Peter Wolf for the J. Geils Band. It was first released as the opening track on the chart-topping 1981 album of the same name.[1] The song was released on a 45 in early 1982 as the second single from the album, following the million-selling US #1/UK #3 hit "Centerfold". The single's flip side, "Flamethrower", received airplay on urban contemporary radio stations throughout the United States, and reached #20 on the Billboard Soul Chart.
| "Freeze-Frame" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by The J. Geils Band | ||||
| from the album Freeze Frame | ||||
| B-side | "Flamethrower" | |||
| Released | January 14, 1982 | |||
| Recorded | 1981 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:58 | |||
| Label | EMI | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Seth Justman | |||
| The J. Geils Band singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Reception Edit
Billboard called it a "zesty, exuberant rocker" and praised the song's hooks.[2] Record World said that "Seth Justman's bouncy keyboard melodies and the slap-happy beat back Peter Wolf's lively lead vocal."[3]
Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci rated "Freeze-Frame" to be the band's 7th greatest song, saying that it has "a glossy pop sheen ready-made for Top 40 radio."[4]
Chart performance Edit
"Centerfold" had landed the band at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for 6 weeks in early 1982 and would ultimately give them a UK top 3 hit almost a year later. "Freeze-Frame" was chosen as the second single and at the peak of the band's popularity, became the second consecutive million-selling gold-certified hit from the album, ultimately peaking at #4 on the Hot 100 on April 10, 1982 and remained in that position for 4 weeks, after entering the charts in mid-February. The single also reached #27 in the UK.[1]
"Centerfold" and "Freeze-Frame" are among a total of ten singles by the J. Geils Band to reach the Billboard Top 40.
Charts Edit
Weekly charts Edit
| Chart (1982-1983) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[5] | 7 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[6] | 5 |
| Canada [7] | 2 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[8] | 20 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[9] | 5 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[10] | 13 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[11] | 6 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[12] | 11 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[13] | 27 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[14] | 4 |
| West Germany (Official German Charts)[15] | 29 |
Year-end charts Edit
Certifications Edit
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[22] | Gold | 50,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[23] | Gold | 1,000,000^ |
| ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
B-side Edit
Most versions of the single released domestically and internationally used "Flamethrower", the sixth track from Freeze-Frame, as the flip side to "Freeze-Frame".[24] However, 7" vinyl releases in the UK alternated between "Flamethrower" and another song from the same album, the second track "Rage in the Cage".[25] A limited edition Picture Disc of "Freeze-Frame" released in North America used "Centerfold" as the b-side.[26]
References Edit
- ^ a b "J. Geils Band - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
- ^ "Top Single Picks". Billboard. February 20, 1982. p. 71. Retrieved 2023-01-21.
- ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. February 20, 1982. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- ^ Gallucci, Michael (February 20, 2016). "Top 10 J. Geils Band Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
- ^ . World Charts. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
- ^ "The J. Geils Band – Freeze Frame" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
- ^ "RPM Top 50 Singles - April 17, 1982" (PDF).
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Centerfold". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 27, 1985" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
- ^ "The J. Geils Band – Freeze Frame" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
- ^ "The J. Geils Band – Freeze Frame". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
- ^ "The J. Geils Band – Freeze Frame". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
- ^ "The J. Geils Band: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
- ^ "The J. Geils Band Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – The J. Geils Band – Freeze Frame" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
- ^ "National Top 100 Singles for 1982". Kent Music Report. January 3, 1983. Retrieved January 22, 2023 – via Imgur.
- ^ Steffen Hung. . Australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1982". Ultratop. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
- ^ . Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
- ^ "Bijzondere lijst: Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1982".
- ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1982/Top 100 Songs of 1982". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – J. Geils Band – Freeze Frame". Music Canada. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
- ^ "American single certifications – J. Geils Band – Freeze-Frame". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
- ^ "The J. Geils Band - Freeze Frame". Discogs.com. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
- ^ "The J. Geils Band - Freeze Frame (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
- ^ "The J. Geils Band - Freeze Frame (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved October 31, 2016.