Format Vinyl record (7") Length 4:01 | Released January 14, 1982 Recorded 1981 | |
Genre Rock, new wave, post-punk | ||
"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.
Contents
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 #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.
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.
In popular culture
Rock Band Music Gaming Platform
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.