Love Stinks – All the way back to Adam and Eve. #MusicisLife #TedTocksCovers #TheJGeilsBand #JoanJett

The J. Geils Band were a hard working band from Worcester, Massachusetts who after a string of top 40 songs through the 1970’s struck gold in the early 80s with ‘Freeze-Frame’, ‘Centerfold’ and today’s feature ‘Love Stinks’. This funny song goes from the story of a love triangle all the way to a description of love going completely bad. At the time of writing J. Geils Band singer Peter Wolf was going through a divorce with his wife at the time, actress Faye Dunaway. It was described by one critic as ‘one of the great trash rock singles of the ’80s.’ It definitely leaves an impression on the listener. In the continuing theme of artists borrowing from other artists J. Geils noted that the classic ‘Love Stinks’ riff was a hard rock version of ‘Louie Louie’ by the Kingsmen and in turn Nirvana was said to have borrowed the riff to some degree for their classic ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’. All is fair in ‘love’ and rock ‘n roll. Guitarist and founding member J. Geils died one year ago today at the age of 71. 

This edgy song was also recorded by a lady by the name of Joan Larkin, who will turn 60 later this year. Joan is a singer, songwriter, composer, record producer and on occasion even an actress. She has had a lengthy career in music beginning in the mid ’70s and it still exists to this day. She was elected in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015 and she is referred to as the ‘Godmother of Punk.’ You may know her as Joan Jett. She changed her name from Larkin to Jett after her parents divorced. Jett was her mother’s maiden name. With a name like Joan Jett she was destined for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Another cool Joan Jett moment was her co starring role in the 1987 movie ‘Light of Day’ with Michael J. Fox. The title song was written and composed by Bruce Springsteen specifically for the movie.

Here is ‘Love Stinks’ by Joan Jett. 

Have a great day!