Additional Coverage:
- 1980 Rock Classic, Written After High-Profile Split, Remains the Ultimate Breakup Anthem 46 Years Later (parade.com)
In 1980, the J. Geils Band released “Love Stinks,” a track that quickly became one of their most memorable hits. Known for its catchy garage rock guitar riff and singalong lyrics about love gone wrong, the song captured the frustrations of failed relationships with a biting sense of humor.
Co-written by lead singer Peter Wolf and keyboardist Seth Justman for the album of the same name, “Love Stinks” features the memorable line: “And so it goes/’til the day you die/this thing they call love/it’s gonna make you cry,” followed by the unforgettable chorus, “One thing for sure/ Love stinks.” The song reached the Billboard Top 40 and has endured as a classic anti-love anthem more than four decades after its release.
The timing of the song’s creation has sparked curiosity, as it came shortly after Wolf’s divorce from actress Faye Dunaway in 1979, ending their five-year marriage. Though many have speculated that “Love Stinks” was inspired by this breakup, Wolf has remained respectful and discreet about the details. Now 80 years old, he has spoken fondly of Dunaway, emphasizing their mutual commitment to their careers.
In his 2025 memoir, Waiting on the Moon, Wolf described their relationship as a partnership where both prioritized their professional lives: “We had a very great marriage, and we both were so absorbed with each other, but we had this unspoken rule that our careers came first.” He acknowledged regrets but reflected on the love they shared.
Dunaway, in her own memoir Looking for Gatsby, also spoke warmly of Wolf, noting that despite the challenges time and life brought to their relationship, she always knew he loved her.
Despite the respectful remarks, the link between their divorce and the song’s biting title remains a topic of intrigue. Ultimate Classic Rock highlighted that the couple’s split occurred just a year before the band scored one of their biggest hits with “Love Stinks,” which also earned a spot on their list of Top 10 Breakup Songs.
Decades later, “Love Stinks” continues to resonate with listeners as a timeless anthem for those who have experienced the sting of love lost.