"Freeze-Frame" | ||||
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Single by The J. Geils Band | ||||
from the album Freeze Frame | ||||
B-side | "Flamethrower" | |||
Released | January 14, 1982 | |||
Format | Vinyl record (7") | |||
Recorded | 1981 | |||
Genre | Rock, new wave, post-punk | |||
Length | 4:01 | |||
Label | EMI | |||
Songwriter(s) | Seth Justman, Peter Wolf | |||
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. 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.
"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 chart.
"Centerfold" and "Freeze-Frame" are among a total of ten singles by The J. Geils Band to reach the Billboard Top 40.
In 2011, a remixed version of Freeze-Frame was used for the Energizer Ultimate Lithium battery ad campaign.
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.
The original version of the song was made available to download on April 5, 2011 for play in Rock Band 3 Basic, and PRO mode which utilizes real guitar / bass guitar, and MIDI compatible electronic drum kits / keyboards in addition to vocals.