“Centerfold” is one of those songs that I…I’m not sure if I’ve rated it 5 stars because it’s become so culturally ubiquitous or because it’s a legit good song. After writing this, though, I wanted to hear it, so I feel more confident about the five-star rating now.

It’s the only song I’ve heard by the J Geils Band that I’m more than “meh” about, for what that’s worth. Peter Wolf lays on the perfect amount of post-disco sleaze (with barely any attempt at double entendre). 1982 found a lot of dreck hitting the top of the pop charts, but “Centerfold” was one of the few instances in which the public and radio got it right.