Centerfold
by The J. Geils Band
What is “Centerfold” really about?
If you’ve ever wondered what “Centerfold” by The J. Geils Band is really about, you’re not alone. Let’s break it down.
Centerfold by The J. Geils Band explores the shock and mixed emotions of discovering a high school crush appearing as a pin-up in an adult magazine, highlighting themes of idealization versus reality.
So… what’s this song really about?
In 'Centerfold', the singer recounts the vivid and cherished memories of a former high school crush, idealized because of her innocence and the sweet past they shared. This idealization is shattered when he discovers she has posed for a magazine centerfold, causing a whirlwind of conflicting feelings. The song captures this stark contrast between youthful innocence and the complexities of adult choices, emphasizing the dissonance between how we remember people and who they become.
The recurring refrain of 'My blood runs cold, my memory has just been sold' expresses betrayal and a sense of loss, as the singer's nostalgic remembrances clash with the present reality. This suggests a broader theme of disillusionment with the past and a critique of how media commodifies human bodies, which ultimately alters personal memories that are tied to those images.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What year was 'Centerfold' by The J. Geils Band released?
Centerfold was released in 1981.
Q: What genre is 'Centerfold' by The J. Geils Band?
Centerfold is typically classified as rock and pop.
Lyrics to “Centerfold”
43 Contributors
[Pre-Chorus]
Those soft and fuzzy sweaters, too magical to touch
To see her in that négligée is really just too much
[Chorus]
My blood runs cold (Yeah)
My memory has just been sold
(Angel is the centerfold)
Angel is the centerfold
My blood runs cold
My memory has just been sold (Oh, yeah)
(Angel is the centerfold)
[Bridge]
Na, na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
Na, na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
Na, na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
Na, na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
[Verse 3]
Yeah, now, listen
It's okay, I understand
This ain't no never-never land
I hope that when this issue's gone
I'll see you when your clothes are on
Take your car, yes, we will
We'll take your car and drive it
We'll take it to a motel room
And take 'em off in private
[Pre-Chorus]
A part of me has just been ripped
The pages from my mind are stripped
Oh, no, I can't deny it
Oh, yeah, I guess I gotta buy it
[Chorus]
My blood runs cold
My memory has just been sold
My angel is the centerfold
(Angel is the centerfold)
My blood runs cold (Woo)
My memory has just been sold
My angel is the centerfold
[Outro]
Na, na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
(All right, all right, one, two, three, four)
Na, na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
Na, na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
Na, na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
Na, na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
My blood runs cold (Na, na, na-na-na-na)
My memory has just been sold (Na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na)
My angel is the centerfold (Na, na, na-na-na-na)
Angel is the centerfold (Na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na)
My blood runs cold, oh, yeah (Na, na, na-na-na-na)
My memory has just been sold (Na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na)
My angel is the centerfold (Na, na, na-na-na-na)
Angel is the centerfold (Na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na)
(Na, na, na-na-na-na)
(Na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na)
(Na, na, na-na-na-na)
(Na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na)
(Na, na, na-na-na-na)
(Na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na...)