Freeze-Frame (song)

"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	Rock[1] pop[2]
Length	3:58
Label	EMI
Songwriter(s)	Seth Justman Peter Wolf
Producer(s)	Seth Justman
The J. Geils Band singles chronology
"Centerfold" (1981) "Freeze-Frame" (1982) "Flamethrower" (1982)

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

Weekly chart performance for "Freeze Frame"

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

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "Freeze Frame"

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

Certifications

Certifications for "Freeze Frame"

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".^[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]