Latest Release

- OCT 4, 2024
- 18 Songs
- Agent Provocateur · 1984
- 4 (Expanded Version) [2002 Remaster] · 1981
- 4 (Expanded Version) [2002 Remaster] · 1981
- Double Vision (Expanded Version) · 1978
- Foreigner (Deluxe Version) · 1977
- 4 (Expanded Version) [2002 Remaster] · 1981
- Foreigner (Deluxe Version) · 1977
- Head Games (Bonus Track Edition) · 1979
- Agent Provocateur · 1984
- Double Vision (Expanded Version) · 1978
Essential Albums
- Foreigner had already established their radio presence on late-‘70s album oriented rock radio stations with three brawny guitar-based albums. However, with the ‘80s coming on and New Wave picking up momentum, it was time to tinker with the formula ever so slightly. With Robert John “Mutt” Lange in the producer’s chair — he’d just finished AC/DC’s <I>Back in Black</I> and was about to embark on the most successful era of his career with Def Leppard among the waiting — Foreigner further tightened up their approach until the hooks had hooks. “Waiting for a Girl Like You” was one of the era’s first power ballads and expanded the group’s appeal beyond its predominantly male audience. “Urgent” added a touch of funk and gave them a legitimate dancefloor hit. “Juke Box Hero” played to the band’s anthemic strengths, allowing both guitarist Mick Jones and singer Lou Gramm the chance to wail on an all-out rocker. “Luanne” shows signs of ‘50s retro.
- It’s obvious that Foreigner's two leaders—English guitarist Mick Jones and American vocalist Lou Gramm—shared a love of British Invasion rock ’n’ roll. That was the platform upon which they built a big, American-aggressive FM-radio sound that sold millions of hard rock albums. By this 1979 studio set (their third), Foreigner had honed their monster-riff rock into a kind of high art. Tunes such as “Dirty White Boy” (the album’s biggest hit), the title track, “Women," and “Seventeen” are unmistakably Foreigner. Jones’ simple yet relentless riffing and Gramm’s barrel-chested vocal attack simply dominate your head like they did the airwaves. Yet there are many surprises, such as the Pink Floyd–ish “Blinded by Science,” the pure keyboard-guitar pop of “Modern Day,” and the bouncy “Do What You Like,” which adds some blue-eyed soul into the pop. Roy Thomas Baker coproduced the album, and you can hear stylish bits of his work with The Cars and Queen.
- Foreigner’s Keith Olsen–produced second album plays pretty much like all of their records: soaring vocals, thick Bad Company–like riffs, several tenderhearted moments for the girls and a few headbangers for the boys. It’s very arena rock circa the late ’70s. Besides the three hit singles (the title song, “Blue Morning, Blue Day,” and the crazily infectious “Hot Blooded”), highlights include a proggy instrumental (“Tramontane”), a rocker with baroque-y backbone (“Back Where You Belong”), a late-night comedown (“I Have Waited So Long”), a Toto-ish ballad (“You’re All I Am”), and a scorching non-LP live version of Betty Wright’s soul chestnut “Love Maker.”
- Foreigner’s 1977 debut album was a fist into the face of American hard rock radio. It sold more than 5 million copies and set the English-American band on a hitmaking track that lasted years. Buoyed by ubiquitous riff-verse-chorus-riff hits such as “Feels Like the First Time” and “Cold as Ice,” the album truly rewards with the deeper cuts. “Starrider” (featuring guitarist Mick Jones on lead vocals) winks to early-’70s prog and ’60s psych-pop; “Woman Oh Woman” recalls John Lennon. “At War with the World” rattles the foundations, while “Fool for You Anyway” is a folkish ride into the sunset.
Albums
- 1991
Artist Playlists
- Their sound helped bridge shaggy '70s rock and sleek '80s pop.
Singles & EPs
Live Albums
Compilations
About Foreigner
Foreigner became arena rock stars in the ‘70s and ‘80s by seamlessly combining British and American musical influences and constantly evolving their sound to keep up with the zeitgeist. Formed in 1976 in New York City, the group originally centered around the bluesy rock of English songwriter Mick Jones, a former member of Spooky Tooth and Johnny Hallyday's band. Just as Fleetwood Mac moved away from their harder Peter Green era, Foreigner soon added prog-leaning keyboard flourishes, the multi-instrumental prowess of King Crimson co-founder Ian McDonald, and a radio-friendly sheen courtesy of producers such as Roy Thomas Baker (Queen, The Cars). Their distinguishing factor, however, was singer Lou Gramm, who added eclectic, theatrical flair to the band's early hits. His swaggering urgency drove the come-hither classic "Hot Blooded," the ELO-esque "Cold As Ice," and the muscular "Juke Box Hero," a fist-pumping ode to rock 'n' roll's power.Thanks to their unique blend of inspirations and instrumental mastery, Foreigner had an easier time adapting to rock's glossier ‘80s trends than many of their peers. Gramm turned in tender, soulful performances on the synth-glazed 1981 single "Waiting for a Girl Like You" and 1984's chart-topping power ballad "I Want to Know What Love Is," and unleashed a gentle croon on 1988's adult contemporary hit "I Don't Want to Live Without You." Although Jones remains the sole founding member in Foreigner, the band's fervent spirit lives on through newer additions such as vocalist Kelly Hansen, who puts his own fiery spin on Gramm's vocal delivery. As ever, they know what fans want to hear—and how to deliver it.
- FROM
- New York, NY, United States
- FORMED
- 1976
- GENRE
- Rock