After leaving Spooky Tooth, guitarist Mick Jones put together a talented cadre of musicians for his next project. The only thing missing was a singer. Jones dug out an old album handed to him from a young singer in up state New York. Liking what he heard, he flew the unknown vocalist into NYC for a tryout. That young man was Lou Gramm and the rest was history, and the band delivered a slew of rock ‘n roll classics. But, which were the best?
Jones had already written a slew of songs, and they matched Gramm perfectly, as we soon saw on Foreigner’s first two albums. The albums were packed with legendary Jones/Gramm compositions, many of which are in our below list of top Foreigner Songs of All-time.
Jones was the creative force who wrote most of the songs, and Gramm typically sang and wrote the lyrics, but you’ll find a few exceptions. There are also two songs in the Top 10 that do not have Gramm on vocals.
Check out our list and let me know your thoughts.
Foreigner’s Top 25
25. That Was Yesterday (Agent Provocateur) – This was the second single from Agent Provocateur – and the second ballad. A rare hit that was solely penned by Gramm, it’s a nice tune, but the double ballad approach may have started the end of the band as a viable rock act.
24. Luanne (4) – On the album 4, the band had slimmed down to four permanent members, perhaps lending to the older, simpler vibe. It’s a slick, quick ode to a hard-to-win woman. “Luanne” reminds me of a Knack song, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
23. Love Has Taken Its Toll (Double Vision) – Here’s some meaningless trivia: This was the only song on the first two albums that was not written or co-written by Mick Jones. It’s an underplayed Al Greenwood and Lou Gramm collaboration about an unusual relationship.
22. Women (Head Games) – Surf rock? That’s the initial vibe from Jones, before this becomes more of a guitar rock offering. With that surf vibe carrying throughout, I actually think of this as a near new wave offering from the band. Fun tune, unless you’re a woman who listens to lyrics…
21. Rev On the Red Line (Head Games) – Another Greenwood/Gramm collaboration, this time, about pushing life to the limits. As you might expect, it’s a nice canvas for McDonald’s keyboard playing. There’s a killer guitar solo during the break, too.
20. Love On the Telephone (Head Games) – A muscular rocker that starts off with a powerful vibe. It’s a great spotlight song for Al Greenwood whose piano starts off the song. His crafty piano work and keyboards carry us through the entire journey. Gramm’s vocals are excellent throughout.
19. Break It Up (4) – The first few notes scream “another ballad” before this explodes into a hard-driving rocker. “Break It Up” is a nice example of Dennis Elliott’s under-appreciated drumming, and a song, where each band member has their own shining moments.
18. Fool For You Anyway (Foreigner) – A sweet ballad from their debut album. The song really shows off the range in Gramm’s voice. The lyrics are poignant and heartfelt and the acoustic guitar work near the end is simply beautiful. The harmonies are just about perfect, too.
17. Night Life (4) – A Jones/Gramm collaboration that provides a nice canvas for both to display their talents. It’s fast-paced guitar rock with a few sweet Jones’ solos, and an opportunity for Gramm to push his voice to his limits.
16. Spellbinder (Double Vision) – Clocking in at just under 5:00, it’s one of the band’s longest songs. “Spellbinder” has more of a grungy, bluesy feel. It’s a comfortable meandering journey that focuses on the talents of the entire band.
15. Waiting For A Girl Like You (4) – Gramm’s vocals are among his best ever as passion pours through the microphone. This one reached #2 on the Billboard charts, and stayed there for 10 weeks! I had no idea at the time, but that sappy keyboard opening featured Thomas Dolby on keyboard (before he was blinded by science).
14. Headknocker (Foreigner) – I may have boosted this one a bit based on the band’s killer live version which spotlighted Dennis Elliot pounding the drums. The studio version is a little more guitar heavy but still one of Elliott’s best moments.
13. Double Vision (Double Vision) – This single peaked at #2, surprisingly the highest chart position of any non-balled Foreigner tune. It’s a hard-driving track that masterfully weaves through several different vibes. Lou Gramm has stated that “Double Vision” was written about a concussed John Davidson of the NY Rangers.
12. I Want To Know What Love Is (Agent Provocateur) – The first song from their fifth album finally produced the band’s first and only #1 hit. The song features poignant lyrics and an amazing performance from the NJ Mass Choir that turns the ballad into a moving near-religious experience.
11. Urgent (4) – Billboard rated this as the band’s #1 song stating “It sounds like nothing before, or since, in the Foreigner catalog.” It’s certainly different, starting with an urgent keyboard intro from Thomas Dolby and featuring a Junior Walker sax solo. According to us, it’s only the fourth best song on (4).
Foreigner’s Top 10
10. Tramontane (Double Vision) – The only instrumental on the list, and it’s a musical masterpiece. It’s an Al Greenwood composition that rides his majestic keyboards. That cool-sounding wind instrument is Ian MacDonald’s lyricon. This track leaves me sorry that Foreigner didn’t deliver more instrumentals. According to Dictionary.com, Tramontane means “beyond the mountains.”
9. Hot Blooded (Double Vision) – It’s one of the most iconic guitar riffs in rock history, and the song that explosively introduced us to the band’s second album. “Hot Blooded” was the perfect bridge between 70’s classic rock and the evolving stadium rock sound that was about to explode.
8. Head Games (Head Games) – Head Games was the first time the band had to create all new music, and this title track was fine proof that they still rocked. Mick Jones’ guitar carries the song, but Gramm’s vocals are among his most powerful ever – both physically and emotively.
7. Dirty White Boy (Head Games) – Race car guitars set the pace, and Gramm’s vocals take it across the finish line. This classic rocker has strong drums, fantastic guitars, nice keyboard riffs and excellent vocals. It’s got a hard edge and fun lyrics.
6. Cold As Ice (Foreigner) – Along with pristine Gramm vocals, a fantastic piano riff from Greenwood dominates the first 30 seconds of this song. After that it evolves into a gem. Great harmonies, and a band demonstrating that every member is at the top of their game. This is the hit that vaulted them into super-stardom.
5. Starrider (Foreigner) – This is a Mick Jones opus. “Starrider” is one of the few great Foreigner songs that doesn’t feature Gramm on lead vocals, although his voice is prevalent throughout. Ian McDonald starts this off with a wonderful flute piece, and then Jones takes over with scintillating guitar work and killer vocals. As good as this one sounds on the album, it’s better live.
4. Blue Morning, Blue Day (Double Vision) – Under-rated track from the band’s second album. Although it was never a huge hit, it’s a fantastic song. The layered guitar throughout is clever, and everything else comes together perfectly. The lyrics take us through a troubled journey of love gone bad, but it’s the music that dominates.
3. Feels Like the First Time (Foreigner) – The perfectly titled first single from the band. It’s catchy as hell and sounds great loud. An early example of the merging of hard rock and pop rock that ultimately morphed into stadium rock. The band’s initial release made an impressive first impression, reaching #4 on the US charts.
2. Jukebox Hero (4) – Amazingly, this track was never a big pop radio hit, but it was an AOR staple and a fantastic live song. It’s a tribute to dedicated rock fans everywhere, and the story of one of those passionate fans beats the odds and makes it big. The lyrics are perfect, and the music is just as good, as the song starts slowly and builds to a raucous crescendo.1. Long, Long Way From Home (Foreigner) – This epic track starts off aggressively with Jones and Greenwood adeptly playing off of each other, and it just gets better over the next 2:57. Ian McDonald’s sax solo closes the song fantastically. It’s Lou Gramm’s life at the time the song was created, as he had just moved from small town Rochester to the “Apple in decay.” It’s also a poignant reminder of Mick Jones’ move from England to the States. A rare example when the music and lyrics work perfectly together.
