About the song
Let’s turn back the clock to 1984, a year when synthesizers ruled the airwaves and big hair was the order of the day. Amidst the synth-pop and new wave, a powerful ballad emerged that cut through the noise and touched hearts around the world. That song was “I Want to Know What Love Is” by Foreigner, a track that became an instant classic and continues to resonate with listeners decades later.
Foreigner, a band known for their catchy hooks and arena-rock anthems, surprised many with this deeply emotional and soulful song. Written by Mick Jones, the band’s guitarist and primary songwriter, “I Want to Know What Love Is” showcases a vulnerability and yearning that transcended the typical rock ballad.
The song’s power lies in its simplicity. A gentle piano intro gives way to Jones’s raspy yet tender vocals, expressing a universal desire for connection and genuine love. The lyrics are straightforward, almost conversational, as if the singer is confiding in a close friend. Lines like “I’ve gotta take a little time/ A little time to think things over” and “I’ve got to climb this mountain/ I feel like the world is on my shoulders” speak to the challenges and anxieties of opening oneself up to love.
But what truly elevates “I Want to Know What Love Is” is its soaring chorus, a gospel-infused plea for emotional truth. The addition of the New Jersey Mass Choir adds a spiritual dimension, emphasizing the song’s search for something deeper and more meaningful than fleeting romance. It’s a chorus that begs to be sung along to, a cathartic release of emotions that have likely been bottled up far too long.
The song’s impact was immediate and immense. “I Want to Know What Love Is” topped the charts in both the US and the UK, becoming Foreigner’s biggest hit to date. Its popularity has endured through the years, finding its way onto countless movie soundtracks and “best of” lists. The 2017 Remaster breathes new life into the recording, allowing listeners to experience the song’s sonic nuances with even greater clarity.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering this gem for the first time, “I Want to Know What Love Is” remains a timeless testament to the enduring power of love and the human longing for connection. It’s a song that reminds us that even in our most vulnerable moments, we are not alone in our search for something real.
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Lyrics
I’ve gotta take a little time
A little time to think things over
I better read between the lines
In case I need it when I’m older
This mountain, I must climb
Feels like a world upon my shoulders
Through the clouds, I see love shine
Keeps me warm as life grows colder
In my life, there’s been heartache and pain
I don’t know if I can face it again
Can’t stop now, I’ve traveled so far
To change this lonely life
I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show me (hey)
Gotta take a little time
Little time to look around me
I’ve got nowhere left to hide
Looks like love has finally found me
In my life, there’s been heartache and pain
I don’t know if I can face it again
Can’t stop now, I’ve traveled so far
To change this lonely life
I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show me
I wanna know what love is (I wanna know)
I want you to show me (I wanna feel)
I wanna feel what love is (I know, I know, and I know)
I know you can show me
Let’s talk about love
I wanna know what love is
(Love that you feel inside)
I want you to show me
(I’m feeling so much love)
I wanna feel what love is
(And you know, you just can’t hide)
I know you can show me
Oh, I wanna know what love is
(Let’s talk about love)
I know you can show me
(I wanna feel)
I wanna feel what love is
(And you know you just can’t hide)
I know you can show me
I wanna feel what love is (oh, I wanna know)
I want you to show me