| "Freeze-Frame" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| SinglebyThe J. Geils Band | ||||
| from the album Freeze Frame | ||||
| B-side | "Flamethrower" | |||
| Released | January 14, 1982 | |||
| Recorded | 1981 | |||
| Genre |
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| Length | 3:58 | |||
| Label | EMI | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| 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.[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.
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]
"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.
| 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 |
| USBillboard Hot 100[14] | 4 |
| West Germany (Official German Charts)[15] | 29 |
| Chart (1982) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[16][17] | 91 |
| Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[18] | 90 |
| Canada[19] | 22 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[20] | 83 |
| USBillboard Hot 100[21] | 49 |
| 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. | ||
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]
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| Singles |
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