If you were to search for the dictionary definition of a “power ballad,” you might very well find a picture of the single artwork for Foreigner’s 1984 smash, “I Want To Know What Love Is.” But interestingly, the man who wrote it, guitarist Mick Jones, doesn’t see it that way. He prefers to call it a “spiritual song,” finding its power in the “sparseness of the arrangement” rather than in typical rock bombast . This stark, emotional presentation, leaving ample room for Lou Gramm’s iconic vocals, is exactly what transformed a late-night studio idea into one of the most enduring anthems of the 1980s.
A 3 AM Gift
The origin of “I Want To Know What Love Is” is a tale of creativity striking in the quietest of hours. According to Jones, he was working late one night in 1984 when the song “came up at three in the morning.” He considers it a “gift that was sent through me,” a piece that felt like it was written by a “higher force” . This spiritual undertone was not accidental. While the lyrics carry detectable Christian overtones, particularly in lines like “Through the clouds I see love shine,” it was crucial to Jones that the message “be all things to all people” . It’s a universal feeling of love, a theme that has allowed the song to transcend its era and resonate with generations.
However, the song’s creation was not without its friction. Lead singer Lou Gramm asserts he contributed significantly to the track. He recalls driving to Jones’s house and working tirelessly on it, describing moments of “magic” but also creative blocks that nearly forced them to put the song away. This collaboration turned sour when it came time to divvy up the writing credits. Gramm suggested a 65-35 split in Jones’s favor, but was “stunned and crushed” when Jones countered with a 95-5 split, essentially dismissing Gramm’s contribution as minimal. Gramm, hurt, told him, “You should just keep it all,” and Jones did .
An Unforgettable Vocal Performance
The song’s emotional core is undeniably Lou Gramm’s powerful yet heartfelt vocal performance. His delivery of the opening lines—”I gotta take a little time, a little time to think things over”—is both vulnerable and searching, setting the stage for a soul-baring journey. Gramm’s voice carries the weight of a man who has “been heartache and pain,” making the song’s climax feel earned and deeply resonant.
But it was a unique collaboration that elevated “I Want To Know What Love Is” from a great ballad to a timeless classic. The addition of the New Jersey Mass Choir for the chorus was a masterstroke. Jones, however, noted that the choir’s initial takes were “a bit tentative.” To break the ice, they “all got round in a circle, held hands and said The Lord’s Prayer.” The result was a spine-tingling performance that left Jones in tears, a moment that also included his parents witnessing the magic in the studio . This gospel influence, combined with a standout keyboard performance by Thompson Twins frontman Tom Bailey, gave the song a unique sonic identity that set it apart from everything else on the radio in 1984 .
A Chart-Topping Legacy
The formula clearly worked. The song hit number one in both the United Kingdom and the United States, becoming the group’s biggest and most enduring hit . It has been certified multi-platinum in the UK and platinum in the US, and is recognized by Rolling Stone as one of the greatest songs of all time . Over 40 years later, “I Want To Know What Love Is” remains a testament to the power of vulnerability in songwriting, proving that sometimes, the quest to understand love can create an anthem that makes the whole world feel it, too.