“Feels Like the First Time” is the explosive debut single by the British-American rock band Foreigner, released in 1977 from their self-titled album. The song instantly established the group as a major force in the rock world, celebrated for its blend of hard rock dynamism and memorable, catchy hooks. It became a smash hit, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Origin and Formation of the Band
Foreigner was conceived by British guitarist Mick Jones (formerly of Spooky Tooth) and American vocalist Lou Gramm. Jones had a clear vision for a band that could bridge the gap between hard rock and pop, appealing to both arena rockers and mainstream radio listeners. “Feels Like the First Time” was the perfect realization of this vision.
The song was written by Mick Jones, and it captures the excitement and uncertainty of starting a new relationship or, metaphorically, the excitement of starting a new band and a new chapter in his musical career.
Musical Style and Arrangement
“Feels Like the First Time” is a classic example of late 1970s arena rock and AOR (Album-Oriented Rock). The song is characterized by its powerful, driving rhythm and its contrasting use of musical elements.
The track opens with a distinctive, slightly eerie synthesizer sound before the rhythm section explodes into a hard-driving rock riff. Key features of the arrangement include:
- Mick Jones’s Guitar Work: The song features a strong, heavy guitar riff that provides the backbone of the track, culminating in a soaring, blues-infused solo that balances technical skill with emotional impact.
- Lou Gramm’s Vocals: Gramm’s voice is the song’s most potent instrument. His delivery is incredibly dynamic—powerful and gravelly on the verses, yet soaring and melodic on the chorus. His ability to convey both raw rock energy and pop sensitivity was central to the band’s success.
- The Hook: The chorus, with its instantly memorable, multi-layered vocals and driving tempo, is the ultimate sing-along moment, delivering the song’s emotional promise.
The production is clean, powerful, and specifically designed for maximum impact on FM radio, which helped propel it up the charts.
Lyrical Content and Legacy
The lyrics describe the feeling of newfound love—a passion so intense that it makes the narrator feel as fresh and exhilarating as their very first romance. The song’s message is universally relatable, tapping into the excitement of emotional rebirth:
“I would stop and I would look around, I saw a world that I thought I’d lost and found.”
This theme of renewed hope and excitement resonated deeply with audiences.
“Feels Like the First Time” was a crucial hit. It not only became one of Foreigner’s signature tracks but also helped define the sound of commercial rock music for the next decade. It introduced the world to the potent combination of Mick Jones’s songwriting and Lou Gramm’s voice, a partnership that would produce numerous platinum albums and remains a staple of classic rock radio today.