
Feature Photo: Foto: Stefan Brending
Foreigner was formed in New York City in 1976 by British musician Mick Jones, who envisioned a rock band that could transcend cultural and musical boundaries. Jones joined forces with Ian McDonald, formerly of King Crimson, and Lou Gramm, an up-and-coming singer from Rochester, New York, to create a transatlantic group blending British and American influences. Rounding out the original lineup were Al Greenwood on keyboards, Dennis Elliott on drums, and Ed Gagliardi on bass. The band’s name reflected its international makeup, with members hailing from both sides of the Atlantic.
The Transatlantic Rise and Initial Success
The group quickly rose to prominence with the release of their self-titled debut album, Foreigner, in 1977. Featuring hits like “Feels Like the First Time,” “Cold as Ice,” and “Long, Long Way from Home,” the album showcased their knack for crafting radio-friendly rock anthems layered with intricate arrangements. Foreigner went multi-platinum and established the band as one of the premier rock acts of the late 1970s. This success was followed by Double Vision (1978) and Head Games (1979), both of which delivered major singles and cemented their reputation for consistency.
Commercial Peaks and Lineup Evolutions
Rick Wills replaced Ed Gagliardi on bass in 1979, and the lineup continued to evolve as Jones assumed increasing creative control. With their fourth album, 4 (1981), Foreigner reached new commercial heights through songs such as “Juke Box Hero,” “Urgent,” and “Waiting for a Girl Like You.”
In 1984, Agent Provocateur gave the band their biggest hit, “I Want to Know What Love Is,” a ballad that topped charts worldwide and showcased a more emotional, soulful side to their music. Internal tensions and changing musical priorities later contributed to further lineup instability, including Gramm’s departure after the 1980s and his eventual return during the following decade.
The Modern Era and Hall of Fame Induction
Foreigner continued releasing albums through the 1990s and into the 2000s. Unusual Heat (1991), Mr. Moonlight (1994), and Can’t Slow Down (2009) demonstrated the band’s willingness to adapt while retaining the melodic rock sound that had defined its catalog.
Kelly Hansen became Foreigner’s lead singer in 2005 and fronted the group for two decades. In 2025, longtime band member Luis Maldonado succeeded Hansen as lead vocalist. Foreigner’s catalog has sold more than 80 million albums worldwide, and the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. That same year, the career-spanning collection Turning Back the Time introduced a previously unreleased title track featuring Mick Jones and Lou Gramm.
Below is a comprehensive list of Foreigner’s songs, arranged alphabetically for a deeper exploration of their remarkable catalog.
Complete List Of Foreigner Songs From A to Z
- “A Love in Vain” – Agent Provocateur – 1984
- “A Night to Remember” – Inside Information – 1987
- “All I Need to Know” – Mr. Moonlight – 1994
- “Angel Tonight” – Can’t Slow Down – 2009
- “As Long as I Live” – Can’t Slow Down – 2009
- “At War with the World” – Foreigner – 1977
- “Back Where You Belong” – Double Vision – 1978
- “Big Dog” – Mr. Moonlight – 1994
- “Blinded by Science” – Head Games – 1979
- “Blue Morning, Blue Day” – Double Vision – 1978
- “Break It Up” – 4 – 1981
- “Can’t Slow Down” – Can’t Slow Down – 2009
- “Can’t Wait” – Inside Information – 1987
- “Cold as Ice” – Foreigner – 1977
- “Counting Every Minute” – Inside Information – 1987
- “Crash and Burn” – Mr. Moonlight (Japan bonus track) – 1994
- “Dirty White Boy” – Head Games – 1979
- “Do What You Like” – Head Games – 1979
- “Don’t Let Go” – 4 – 1981
- “Double Vision” – Double Vision – 1978
- “Down on Love” – Agent Provocateur – 1984
- “Face to Face” – Inside Information – 1987
- “Feels Like the First Time” – Foreigner – 1977
- “Flesh Wound” – Unusual Heat – 1991
- “Fool for You Anyway” – Foreigner – 1977
- “Fool for You Anyway” – Can’t Slow Down – 2009
- “Girl on the Moon” – 4 – 1981
- “Give Me a Sign” – Can’t Slow Down – 2009
- “Give My Life for Love” – 40 – 2017
- “Growing Up the Hard Way” – Agent Provocateur – 1984
- “Hand on My Heart” – Mr. Moonlight – 1994
- “Head Games” – Head Games – 1979
- “Headknocker” – Foreigner – 1977
- “Heart Turns to Stone” – Inside Information – 1987
- “Hole in My Soul” – Mr. Moonlight – 1994
- “Hot Blooded” – Double Vision – 1978
- “I Can’t Give Up” – Can’t Slow Down – 2009
- “I Don’t Want to Live Without You” – Inside Information – 1987
- “I Have Waited So Long” – Double Vision – 1978
- “I Keep Hoping” – Mr. Moonlight – 1994
- “I’ll Be Home Tonight” – Can’t Slow Down – 2009
- “I’ll Fight for You” – Unusual Heat – 1991
- “I’ll Get Even with You” – Head Games – 1979
- “I’m Gonna Win” – 4 – 1981
- “I Need You” – Foreigner – 1977
- “I Want to Know What Love Is” – Agent Provocateur – 1984
- “In Pieces” – Can’t Slow Down – 2009
- “Inside Information” – Inside Information – 1987
- “Juke Box Hero” – 4 – 1981
- “Juke Box Hero” (“Nearly Unplugged” Version) – 4 (2002 bonus track) – 1981
- “Living in a Dream” – Can’t Slow Down – 2009
- “Lonely” – Can’t Slow Down – 2009
- “Lonely Children” – Double Vision – 1978
- “Long, Long Way from Home” – Foreigner – 1977
- “Love Has Taken Its Toll” – Double Vision – 1978
- “Love Maker” (live) – Double Vision (2002 bonus track) – 1978
- “Love on the Telephone” – Head Games – 1979
- “Lowdown and Dirty” – Unusual Heat – 1991
- “Luanne” – 4 – 1981
- “Moment of Truth” – Unusual Heat – 1991
- “Mountain of Love” – Unusual Heat – 1991
- “Night Life” – 4 – 1981
- “No Hiding Place” – Unusual Heat – 1991
- “Only Heaven Knows” – Unusual Heat – 1991
- “Out of the Blue” – Inside Information – 1987
- “Prisoner of Love” – The Very Best … and Beyond – 1992
- “Rain” – Mr. Moonlight – 1994
- “Reaction to Action” – Agent Provocateur – 1984
- “Ready” – Can’t Slow Down – 2009
- “Ready for the Rain” – Unusual Heat – 1991
- “Real World” – Mr. Moonlight – 1994
- “Rev on the Red Line” – Head Games – 1979
- “Running the Risk” – Mr. Moonlight – 1994
- “Safe in My Heart” – Unusual Heat – 1991
- “Save Me” – Juke Box Heroes – 2011
- “Say You Will” – Inside Information – 1987
- “Seventeen” – Head Games – 1979
- “She’s Too Tough” – Agent Provocateur – 1984
- “Soul Doctor” – The Very Best … and Beyond – 1992
- “Spellbinder” – Double Vision – 1978
- “Starrider” – Foreigner – 1977
- “Stranger in My Own House” – Agent Provocateur – 1984
- “That Was Yesterday” – Agent Provocateur – 1984
- “The Beat of My Heart” – Inside Information – 1987
- “The Damage Is Done” – Foreigner – 1977
- “The Flame Still Burns” – The Flame Still Burns EP – 2016
- “The Modern Day” – Head Games – 1979
- “Too Late” – Can’t Slow Down – 2009
- “Tooth and Nail” – Agent Provocateur – 1984
- “Tramontane” (instrumental) – Double Vision – 1978
- “Turning Back the Time” – Turning Back the Time – 2024
- “Two Different Worlds” – Agent Provocateur – 1984
- “Under the Gun” – Mr. Moonlight – 1994
- “Until the End of Time” – Mr. Moonlight – 1994
- “Unusual Heat” – Unusual Heat – 1991
- “Urgent” – 4 – 1981
- “Waiting for a Girl Like You” – 4 – 1981
- “Waiting for a Girl Like You” (“Nearly Unplugged” Version) – 4 (2002 bonus track) – 1981
- “When It Comes to Love” – Can’t Slow Down – 2009
- “When the Night Comes Down” – Unusual Heat – 1991
- “White Lie” – Mr. Moonlight – 1994
- “With Heaven on Our Side” – The Very Best … and Beyond – 1992
- “Woman in Black” – 4 – 1981
- “Woman Oh Woman” – Foreigner – 1977
- “Women” – Head Games – 1979
- “You’re All I Am” – Double Vision – 1978
Albums
Foreigner (1977)
Double Vision (1978)
Head Games (1979)
4 (1981)
Agent Provocateur (1984)
Inside Information (1987)
Unusual Heat (1991)
Mr. Moonlight (1994)
Can’t Slow Down (2009)
More Foreigner Articles
Check out our other entertaining and informative Foreigner articles, detailing in-depth the band’s albums, songs, band members, and more…all on ClassicRockHistory.com
Jeff Pilson of Foreigner: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview
10 Most Rocking Foreigner Songs
Foreigner’s Best Song On Each Of Their Studio Albums
Complete List Of Foreigner Band Members
Complete List Of Foreigner Studio Albums
Frampton, Foreigner, Ozzy, & Dave Matthews Band Voted Into Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame
Read More: Artists’ Interviews Directory At ClassicRockHistory.com
Read More: Classic Rock Bands List And Directory
Updated August 1, 2026.



























