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"Love Stinks" is a song written by Peter Wolf and Seth Justman that was the title track of the J. Geils Band's 1980 album Love Stinks. The song was released as a single and peaked in the US at #38, spending three weeks in the Top 40.[2][3][4] In Canada, the song reached number 15,[5] as it did on WLS-AM in Chicago.[6]

Background

The lyrics describe a love triangle in which two participants experience unrequited love, before segueing into a description of love gone sour in general. The lyrics may have been inspired by J. Geils Band lead singer Peter Wolf's marriage to actress Faye Dunaway, which ended in a 1979 divorce.[3] Author Maury Dean describes the opening of the song as "ponderous Power Metal."[3] Dean describes the band's playing in the refrain as generating "wild waves of flame," the guitars as "fire-breathing" and Wolf's vocals in the "yeah yeah" portion of the chorus as snarling with "heavy metal glee."[3] Justman provides extensive keyboards, which Associated Press critic James Simon feels gives the song "a little extra zing."[7] Viglione describes the riff as "Lou Reed's 'Vicious' as performed by his Rock & Roll Animal band on Lou Reed Live at half-speed," also noting that it is a hard rock version of the riff from "Louie Louie".[1] Rolling Stone critic Rob Sheffield notes that the riff was later used by Nirvana in the song "Smells Like Teen Spirit".[8]

Reception

Viglione finds such a "simple riff rocker" a departure for the J. Geils Band who were then known for blues and R&B, but admits the results are fun to listen to and acknowledges that it and other songs from the Love Stinks album pointed the way toward their pop-oriented 1981 platinum hit album Freeze Frame.[1] AllMusic critic John Franck describes the song as "infectious", noting that it was "one of the band's most recognizable FM songs ever."[9] Music critic Robert Christgau describes the song as "broad" and "uproarious".[10] Rolling Stone critic Dave Marsh considers it one of the J. Geils Band's greatest songs, considering its lyrics to be "a hilarious spoof on new-wave nihilism as well as soul cliche."[11] Rolling Stone critic Rob Sheffield calls it "one of the great trash-rock singles of the '80's."[8] Cash Box said that the "playfully virulent lyric...mixed with Seth Justman’s whirling keyboards, creates an exciting march-like rhythm."[12] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci rated it to be the band's 3rd greatest song, saying that it incorporates "'60s garage-rock guitar," "late-'70s New Wave synths," and "a singalong chorus straight outta the era's arena rock" that "meet for a glorious collision that results in one of the group's heaviest, and best-loved, songs."[13] The song is mentioned in an episode of Full House where Jesse (John Stamos) and his best friend Pete (Scott Baio) reminisce about once taking over a cantina in Mexico and performing a mariachi version of the song.

"Till the Walls Come Tumblin' Down"

The B-side of "Love Stinks" was "Till the Walls Come Tumblin' Down", also a track from Love Stinks. Rolling Stone critic Rob Sheffield praised the song, describing it as "rollicking".[8]

Cover versions

References

  1. ^ a b c d Viglione, J. "Love Stinks". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
  2. ^ "Love Stinks Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
  3. ^ a b c d Dean, M. (2003). Rock N Roll Gold Rush: A Singles Un-Cyclopedia. Algora. p. 330. ISBN 9780875862071.
  4. ^ Whitburn, J. (2010). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits (9th ed.). Random House. p. 263. ISBN 9780823085545.
  5. ^ "Image : RPM Weekly". Library and Archives Canada. 17 July 2013.
  6. ^ WLS Musicradio Survey, July 5, 1980
  7. ^ Simon, J. (April 1, 1980). "Geils has hit with 'Love Stinks'". The Daily News. p. 14-B. Retrieved 2012-09-02.
  8. ^ a b c Sheffield, R. (2004). Brackett, N.; Hoard, C. (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Fireside. p. 327. ISBN 0743201698.
  9. ^ Franck, J. "Love Stinks". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
  10. ^ Christgau, R. "The J. Geils Band: Love Stinks". robertchristgau.com. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
  11. ^ Marsh, D. (1983). Marsh, D.; Swenson, J. (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (2nd ed.). Rolling Stone Press. p. 196. ISBN 0394721071.
  12. ^ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. April 12, 1980. p. 11. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
  13. ^ Gallucci, Michael (February 20, 2016). "Top 10 J. Geils Band Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
  14. ^ "Opie Gets Laid soundtrack". IMDb. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
  15. ^ "The Wedding Singer soundtrack". IMDb. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
  16. ^ "Love Stinks soundtrack". IMDb. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
  17. ^ Phares, H. "Love Stinks". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
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