J. Geils Band "Love Stinks"

Boston's J. Geils Band already had a lengthy resume to their credits by the time the calender turned on the '80s. Their potent mix of blues-based rock and R&B had made the band a popular live draw throughtout the '70s, but ten albums since their formation in 1967 had produced only a handful of US Top 40 hits, none of them reaching the Top Ten.

However, beginning with 1980's Love Stinks album, the J. Geils Band, led by singer Peter Wolf, began to temper their sound with a more pop-friendly feel. The first single from Love Stink had been the energetic "Come Back," which reached #32 in March. In April, the band released the follow-up in the form of the album's title track.

Despite "Love Stinks" bitter and cynical tone, the song had an infectious melody that all but begged for listeners to scream along with the chorus. After all, who couldn't relate to the song's sentiment? In May, "Love Stinks" became the J. Geils Band's second hit from the album, entering the Top 40 for three weeks and peaking at #38.

Although "Love Stinks" didn't climb high on the charts, it set the table for their next record, 1981's Freeze-Frame, which would establish them as major star on mainstream pop radio. And, because of its universal message, "Love Stinks" would endure beyond its chart run, including a memorable performance by Adam Sandler in the movie The Wedding Singer nearly two decades later.

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