Foreigner is the debut studio album by British-American rock band Foreigner, released in 8 March 1977.[6][7] It spun off three hit singles, "Feels Like the First Time", "Cold as Ice" and "Long, Long Way from Home". It also features album tracks such as "Headknocker" and "Starrider", the latter of which features a rare lead vocal from lead guitarist and co-founder Mick Jones. The first attempt at mixing the album was done at Sarm Studios, London, but as they were dissatisfied with the result, the album was re-mixed at Atlantic Recording Studios by Mick Jones, Ian McDonald and Jimmy Douglass.
Foreigner | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 8 March 1977[1][2] | |||
Recorded | April—November 1976 | |||
Studio | The Hit Factory and Atlantic Recording Studios, New York, New York. | |||
Length | 38:46 | |||
Label | Atlantic | |||
Producer | John Sinclair and Gary Lyons in collaboration Mick Jones and Ian McDonald | |||
Foreigner chronology | ||||
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Singles from Foreigner | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Christgau's Record Guide | C[4] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Los Angeles Times critic Robert Hilburn summed up his contemporary review of Foreigner saying "The production work is crisp, the melodies are serviceable and the vocals are eager. But there is far too little point of view to make any of it commanding."[8] Hartford Courant critic Henry McNulty said "There's something good beginning here, and the sooner you get in on it the better."[9] Annison Star reviewer Mike Stamler felt that most of the songs were "sanforized, sanitized and safely sterilized into three basic chords" with "immature lyrics," leaving little variety on the album, and suggested that more instrumental solos would have been beneficial.[10]
Allmusic critic Andy Hinds said that for suburban teenagers in the 1970s the "immaculate rock sound" on Foreigner "was the perfect soundtrack for cruising through well-manicured neighborhoods in their Chevy Novas," and praised the band's "pure rock craftsmanship."[3]
Billboard reviewer Gary Graff rated four of the songs from Foreigner (the three singles plus "Headknocker") among the ten greatest Foreigner songs.[11] Graff described "Headknocker" as a "gritty, stomping rocker."[11]
Classic Rock critic Malcolm Dome rated two songs from Foreigner as being among Foreigner's 10 most underrated – "Starrider" at #7 and "Long, Long Way from Home" at #4.[12] Dome calls Starrider a "beautifully developed, introspective tale of aspiration," even though it doesn't sound much like Foreigner and its lyrics "come across as 50s pulp sci fi."[12] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Eduardo Rivadavia also rated two songs from Foreigner among the band's 10 most underrated – "Fool for You Anyway" at #6 and "Long, Long Way from Home" at #2.[13]
Jones has rated four songs from the album ("Long, Long Way from Home," "Cold as Ice," "The Damage Is Done" and "Fool for You Anyway") as being among his 11 favorite Foreigner songs.[14]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Feels Like the First Time" | Mick Jones | 3:49 |
2. | "Cold as Ice" | Jones, Lou Gramm | 3:19 |
3. | "Starrider" | Al Greenwood, Jones | 4:01 |
4. | "Headknocker" | Gramm, Jones | 2:58 |
5. | "The Damage Is Done" | Jones, Gramm | 4:15 |
6. | "Long, Long Way from Home" | Jones, Gramm, Ian McDonald | 2:53 |
7. | "Woman Oh Woman" | Jones | 3:49 |
8. | "At War with the World" | Jones | 4:18 |
9. | "Fool for You Anyway" | Jones | 4:15 |
10. | "I Need You" | Gramm, Jones | 5:09 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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11. | "Feels Like the First Time" (Demo) | Jones | 3:40 |
12. | "Woman Oh Woman" (Demo) | Jones | 4:14 |
13. | "At War with the World" (Demo) | Jones | 5:00 |
14. | "Take Me to Your Leader" (Demo) | 3:40 |
Foreigner
Additional personnel
In July 2010, the audiophile label Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab released this album on the Super Audio Compact Disc (SACD) format. It is presented in a "Mini Vinyl" replica cardboard case but omits the bonus tracks.
Chart (1977) | Peak position |
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Australia (Kent Music Report)[15] | 9 |
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[16] | 9 |
US Billboard 200[17] | 4 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Australia (ARIA)[18] | Platinum | 70,000^ |
Canada (Music Canada)[19] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
Netherlands (NVPI)[20] | Gold | 50,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[21] | 5× Platinum | 5,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
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Studio albums | |
Compilations | |
Live albums | |
Singles |
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Related articles |
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