“Centerfold” is a song by the American rock band The J. Geils Band. Released in September 1981 with “Rage in the Cage” on the B-side, it was the lead single from their tenth studio album, “Freeze Frame.” Written by the band’s keyboardist Seth Justman, “Centerfold” became the group’s most successful song and is widely recognized as a classic of the early 1980s.
The J. Geils Band had been active since the late 1960s, known for their energetic live performances and a blend of rock, blues, and R&B. By the early 1980s, the band shifted towards a more mainstream rock sound, incorporating elements of new wave and pop. “Centerfold” exemplifies this shift, featuring catchy melodies, a prominent keyboard riff, and a danceable beat.
“Centerfold” tells the story of a man who is shocked to discover that a girl he had a crush on in high school is now a centerfold model in a men’s magazine. The lyrics reflect his mixed emotions of surprise, disillusionment, and lingering affection. The chorus, with its memorable line “My blood runs cold, my memory has just been sold, my angel is the centerfold,” captures the central theme of innocence lost and the clash between youthful idealization and adult realities.
“Centerfold” was a major commercial success. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in February 1982, where it stayed for six weeks. The song also topped the charts in several other countries, including Canada and Australia. It became The J. Geils Band’s biggest hit and significantly boosted the sales of the “Freeze Frame” album, which also reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart.