Monday, June 22, 2009

Occasional Forgotten Video, Foreigner, "I Want To Know What Love Is"

When I was in high school, Foreigner's first album came out. It was an instant classic, with hits like "Feels Like the First Time," "Cold As Ice," and "A Long Way From Home." They continued their success into the early eighties with their album "4," which had several more hits-- "Urgent," which featured a sax solo from Junior Walker, and "Waiting For a Girl Like You," which showcased beautiful, haunting synthesizer by a then-unknown Thomas Dolby, who would have his own top five US hit with "She Blinded Me With Science," in 1983.

Foreigner took a three year hiatus, but the wait was worth it: "I Want To Know What Love Is," which was written by Mick Jones (not to be confused with the Clash member by the same name) was their only #1 US hit, in 1985. The beautiful gospel touch was provided by the New Jersey Mass choir.

6 comments:

Churlita said...

That song was so overplayed back then, that I still have a hard time listening to it now.

Unknown said...

I remember seeing a film/video on Saturday Night Live of You're as Cold as Ice. But I have never seen it again.

SkylersDad said...

Ah yes, the memories flood back when I hear this!

BeckEye said...

I was so sick of that song when it was popular. I swear that video was on MTV once every half hour. But years later, I'm able to finally appreciate it again. And I still think that Lou Gramm has one of the best rock voices ever.

GETkristiLOVE said...

I think I wore out the Foreigner 4 album.

dmarks said...

I was thinking about this very song (""I Want To Know What Love Is") because I heard it on the radio last night, and had not heard it in years. It brought me a Foreigner flashback.

I love Thomas Dolby. I had no idea he was involved in Foreigner.