Top Ten Songs by Foreigner
Foreigner was formed in late 1976 with lead vocalist Lou Gramm. His unique voice helped give the band its rise to stardom. Along with Gramm were Mick Jones, Ian McDonald, Dennis Elliot, Al Greenwood and Ed Gagliardi.
The group was originally named Trigger, but Mick Jones suggested one day to their manager that perhaps the name Foreigner would be a better fit. Mick felt that because the group was half American, half English, the name would work out perfect. Everyone in the group agreed and the name was immediately changed.
Shortly after getting together the band released their first album. It was a self titled album that immediately went Top 20 and stayed there for over a year. Selling over 4 million albums, the band was on its way.
The group’s next effort was “Double Vision”, and it did even better, selling more than 5 million copies. It’s interesting to note that “Double Vision” was selling at the same time their first album was still on the charts and doing well.
In September 1978, Foreigner next released their third album, titled “Head Games”. It also went on to sell more than 5 million copies in the U.S. alone.
The success Foreigner was now enjoying led up to their most prolific works yet, “Foreigner 4”. In 1981 this album was the groups most successful, selling nearly 10 million copies and becoming one of rock’s all-time great albums.
Here are the top ten Foreigner songs.
10. “Feels Like The First Time” – This was Foreigner’s first big hit, and it put the group in the limelight. Rising up to #4 on the Billboard charts in June 1977, “Feels Like The First Time” is still getting airplay to this day on classic rock stations around the country.
9. “Cold As Ice” – The next big hit off the bands self titled debut album was “Cold As Ice”. It went all the way up to #6 on the Billboard Top 100 charts in October 1977. The song was also featured on the soundtrack of the movie “FM”.
8. “Hot Blooded” – The third smash hit from the group’s first album, “Hot Blooded” shot up to #3 on the charts in the fall of 1978. This song was also included in the movie “Vision Quest”. By now, Foreigner was becoming a huge hit in the United States.
7. “Double Vision” – Following up their debut album, the band released “Double Vision”, their next big album. “Double Vision”, the song, quickly became an instant hit. It rose to #2 in November 1978. This was occurring while “Hot Blooded” was still on top of the charts.
6. “Dirty White Boy” – This somewhat controversial hit went to #12 on the Billboard charts in October 1979. Some people assumed that due to the songs title, it must be racist in nature. So, some people tried to stir up controversy and have the song removed. Of course, it didn’t work, and if you listen to the lyrics to the song you will understand that there is no racism in it whatsoever.
5. “Head Games” – This was Foreigner’s title track off their third album, “Head Games”. Reaching #14 in December 1979, “Head Games” is a song about a man being driven nuts by his girlfriend who is playing games with his mind.
4. “Urgent” – This was another huge hit for Foreigner off the “Head Games” soundtrack. It went all the way up to #4 on the Billboard charts in September 1981.
3. “Waiting For A Girl Like You” – At the same time “Urgent” was rocking its way up the charts, the group released “Waiting For A Girl Like You”. It took off and reached #2 on the charts, narrowly missing out on number one. It was the group’s biggest hit so far, and was featured on the soundtrack of the hit movie “Footloose”. Foreigner had suddenly become one of rocks super groups.
2. “Juke Box Hero” – With the release of their fourth album, “Foreigner 4”, “Juke Box Hero” went to #26 in April 1982.
1. “I Want To Know What Love Is” – This was Foreigner’s first and only #1 smash hit. From the bands “Agent Provocateur” album, “I Want To Know What Love Is”, is a classic melody with wonderful guitar and keyboard playing. It went #1 on the Billboard charts in January 1985. It was also on the soundtrack of the movie “Mr. Wrong”.
Shortly after the release of “Agent Provocateur”, the group began to go its separate ways. Lou Gramm and Mick Jones went on to attempt solo careers, and the group was finished. That was until 1990 when Mick Jones reformed the band and released a new album in 1991.
Soon after, in 1992, Lou Gramm came back and rejoined the group on lead vocals again. But, in 1997, Lou underwent surgery for a brain tumor. The surgery was successful and he had a full recovery. He is still doing well to this day. The band stayed together until 2002 when it broke up once again.
Recently, in 2005, Mick Jones again reformed the band and is currently the only original member. Foreigner continues to tour the country, much to the pleasure of their ardent fans.
No matter what has happened over the last 15 years or so, no one can argue the fact that during the late 70’s and up until the mid 80’s, Foreigner was one of rocks biggest groups of all-time.
