Some songs ask a question, but this one searches for an answer. I Want to Know What Love Is isn’t just a love ballad—it’s a deeply personal journey into longing, vulnerability, and self-discovery.
The raw emotion behind the lyrics, combined with soaring vocals and a gospel choir, turned this song into an anthem that still resonates with fans of classic rock artists.
Decades later, it remains one of the most moving songs ever recorded.
- Writer: Mick Jones
- Album: Agent Provocateur (1984)
- Producer: Mick Jones, Alex Sadkin
📝 Background & Meaning:
“I Want to Know What Love Is” was written by Mick Jones, the guitarist and founding member of Foreigner.
Released as the lead single from their fifth studio album, Agent Provocateur, in 1984, the song became Foreigner’s most successful single, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and charts worldwide.
The song was born out of a deeply personal moment for Mick Jones, who was reflecting on his life, relationships, and the search for true emotional connection.
It’s both a soul-searching ballad and a universal anthem about love’s transformative power.
Jones has described the song as a “spiritual experience” that felt as though it came from somewhere beyond himself.
The lyrics convey vulnerability, longing, and a desire for genuine connection.
While the song’s narrative is deeply personal, its universal themes of love, self-discovery, and emotional openness allow it to resonate with listeners worldwide.
The addition of the New Jersey Mass Choir in the song’s climactic chorus adds a spiritual, almost gospel-like intensity, elevating the emotional depth and creating a sense of communal yearning.
🎤 Key Themes:
- The Search for True Love: The song explores the universal human desire to experience and understand real love.
- Emotional Vulnerability: Mick Jones expresses raw openness and an acknowledgment of his own emotional struggles.
- Spiritual Reflection: There’s a soulful, almost prayer-like quality to the song, suggesting a higher search for meaning in love.
- Universal Connection: The choir emphasizes the shared human experience of seeking love and understanding.
🎧 Notable Lyrics:
“I wanna know what love is / I want you to show me.”
- A heartfelt plea for guidance and clarity in understanding love.
“I gotta take a little time / A little time to think things over.”
- Reflects introspection and the need to pause and process emotions.
“In my life, there’s been heartache and pain / I don’t know if I can face it again.”
- Reveals vulnerability and emotional exhaustion from past experiences.
🎸 Musical Highlights:
- Powerful Vocals: Lou Gramm delivers an emotional and soaring vocal performance, balancing power and tenderness.
- Gospel Choir Backing: The New Jersey Mass Choir brings a spiritual and uplifting climax to the song.
- Rich Keyboard Layers: The use of synthesizers and keyboards creates a lush, atmospheric background.
- Gradual Build-Up: The song begins softly and builds into an emotional crescendo, mirroring its thematic depth.
- Timeless Ballad Structure: The simple yet powerful arrangement ensures the song’s emotional impact remains strong decades later.
🌍 Cultural Impact:
- “I Want to Know What Love Is” became Foreigner’s signature song, transcending the rock genre to become a universal love anthem.
- The song has been featured in countless films, TV shows, and commercials, symbolizing love, vulnerability, and redemption.
- It’s often used in weddings, emotional movie montages, and significant life moments.
- The track has been covered by numerous artists, including Mariah Carey and Wynonna Judd, further cementing its legacy.
- It remains one of the most played power ballads on classic rock and adult contemporary radio stations.
🎤 “I Want to Know What Love Is” Fun Fact:
- Mick Jones wrote the song late at night in solitude, and he felt as though it was almost “handed down to him” from a higher power.
- The New Jersey Mass Choir’s contribution was so impactful that they also released their own version of the song.
- The song was included in Rolling Stone’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
🔑 What It Represents:
“I Want to Know What Love Is” isn’t just a ballad—it’s an anthem for emotional honesty, vulnerability, and the universal search for love.
It represents:
- The deep, human need for connection and understanding.
- The courage to be vulnerable in expressing emotional longing.
- A timeless love song that transcends generations and genres.
- A perfect fusion of rock, pop, and gospel elements.
With its haunting melody, powerful vocals, and deeply personal lyrics, “I Want to Know What Love Is” continues to stand as one of the greatest love ballads in music history, connecting listeners on an emotional level across decades. 🎶❤️✨
🎶 Why It Still Resonates Today
Love is one of life’s greatest mysteries, and I Want to Know What Love Is captures that universal feeling of searching for something deeper.
The song’s slow build-up, emotional delivery, and powerful climax create an experience that pulls listeners in every time.
It’s a song that speaks to anyone who has ever questioned love, lost love, or longed for something real.
Beyond its lyrics, the track’s blend of rock, pop, and gospel elements gives it a unique place among classic rock artists.
Many songs fade over time, but this one continues to be played at weddings, emotional movie moments, and personal milestones, proving its timeless appeal.
🔚🎶🔥 Closing Statement
Some songs are just music, but I Want to Know What Love Is feels like a moment frozen in time.
With its haunting melody, powerful lyrics, and heart-stirring choir, it remains one of the greatest love ballads ever recorded.
Press play, close your eyes, and let it take you somewhere unforgettable. 🎶❤️✨
