Love Stinks

Yeah! Declare your frustration with The J. Geils Band's iconic 1980 rock anthem, "Love Stinks"! This cynical yet catchy track became a massive hit with its unforgettable title chant, driving hard rock beat, and new wave energy, perfectly capturing romantic disillusionment.

Released as the title track and lead single from their hit 1980 album, "Love Stinks" showcased The J. Geils Band's raw energy. Peter Wolf's ranting vocals rail against heartbreak over a powerful hard rock groove infused with sharp new wave sensibilities, creating a unique and enduring rock classic.

Built on a simple, powerful guitar riff and Seth Justman's keyboard textures, this 1980 rock staple is instantly recognizable. Its blunt message and chant-along chorus made "Love Stinks" an anthem for the jilted and a perennial favorite on rock radio, defining the band's sound for the era.

SONG MEANING: This song is a humorous and cynical expression of frustration and disappointment with love and romance. Through relatable scenarios of unrequited love and heartbreak ("You love her / But she loves him / And he loves somebody else"), the singer concludes bluntly and repeatedly that the entire endeavor simply "stinks."