"Freeze-Frame" | ||||
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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 | ||||
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"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. [3] 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.
Billboard called it a "zesty, exuberant rocker" and praised the song's hooks. [1] Record World said that "Seth Justman's bouncy keyboard melodies and the slap-happy beat back Peter Wolf's lively lead vocal." [4]
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." [5]
"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. [3]
"Centerfold" and "Freeze-Frame" are among a total of ten singles by the J. Geils Band to reach the Billboard Top 40.
Chart (1982-1983) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (Kent Music Report) [6] | 7 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [7] | 5 |
Canada [8] | 2 |
Ireland (IRMA) [9] | 20 |
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) [10] | 5 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [11] | 13 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [12] | 6 |
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [13] | 11 |
UK Singles (OCC) [14] | 27 |
US Billboard Hot 100 [15] | 4 |
West Germany (GfK) [16] | 29 |
Chart (1982) | Position |
---|---|
Australia (Kent Music Report) [17] [18] | 91 |
Belgium (Ultratop Flanders) [19] | 90 |
Canada [20] | 22 |
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) [21] | 83 |
US Billboard Hot 100 [22] | 49 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada) [23] | Gold | 50,000^ |
United States (RIAA) [24] | Gold | 1,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Most versions of the single released domestically and internationally used "Flamethrower", the sixth track from Freeze-Frame, as the flip side to "Freeze-Frame". [25] However, 7" vinyl releases in the UK alternated between "Flamethrower" and another song from the same album, the second track "Rage in the Cage". [26] A limited edition Picture Disc of "Freeze-Frame" released in North America used "Centerfold" as the b-side. [27]