Foreigner - I Want To Know What Love Is May 2026

The song became Foreigner's biggest hit, reaching #1 in both the U.S. and the UK. In the U.S., it famously ended the six-week reign of Madonna's "Like a Virgin" in February 1985.

The song has been reimagined by numerous artists, most notably Mariah Carey , whose 2009 version broke records in Brazil by staying at #1 for 27 consecutive weeks. Other covers include versions by Tina Arena and Wynonna Judd . Quick Facts

Songwriter and guitarist Mick Jones has famously stated that the song felt like a gift from a "higher force," written at 3:00 a.m. during a deeply introspective period following several failed relationships.

It is consistently ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the [500 Greatest Songs of All Time](https://www.rolling stone.com).