Freeze-Frame (song)
Song by The J. Geils Band
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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.
| "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 | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producer | Seth Justman | |||
| The J. Geils Band singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Reception
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]
Chart performance
"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 No. 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 reached No. 27 in the UK.[3]
Charts
Weekly charts
| 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 (Official Charts)[14] | 27 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[15] | 4 |
| West Germany (GfK)[16] | 29 |
Year-end charts
Certifications
| 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. | ||
B-side
Most versions of the single released domestically and internationally used "Flamethrower", the sixth track from Freeze-Frame, as the flip side to "Freeze-Frame". However, 7" vinyl releases in the UK alternated between "Flamethrower" and another song from the same album, the second track "Rage in the Cage". A limited edition Picture Disc of "Freeze-Frame" released in North America used "Centerfold" as the b-side.