Nearly four decades after its release, Foreigner’s iconic power ballad “I Want to Know What Love Is” has reached an extraordinary milestone—one billion streams on Spotify on January 30. It is their first song to reach the this achievement and the 883rd song to reach the mark on Spotify.
Released in November 21, 1984 as the lead single from their fifth studio album Agent Provocateur, “I Want to Know What Love Is” quickly became Foreigner’s biggest hit. Written by the band’s guitarist and founding member Mick Jones, the song topped charts worldwide, including the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, the UK Singles Chart, and charts in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and Sweden. Its powerful lyrics, emotional depth, and gospel-infused chorus resonated with audiences across the globe.
It is their third certified Platinum single in the U.S. and their only BritCertified 2x Platinum song in the U.K.
Mick Jones has described the song as a deeply personal composition, written in the quiet hours of the night when inspiration struck. “I always worked late at night, when everybody left and the phone stopped ringing. ‘I Want to Know What Love Is’ came up at three in the morning sometime in 1984. I don’t know where it came from. I consider it a gift that was sent through me,” Jones once said.
The song features the soulful backing vocals of the New Jersey Mass Choir, which elevated its emotional intensity. Also contributing were Dreamgirls star Jennifer Holliday and Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins on keyboards. Their collaboration helped create one of the most memorable and moving power ballads of all time.
Apart from its chart success and critical acclaim, “I Want to Know What Love Is” has been covered by numerous artists, including Mariah Carey, Wynonna Judd, and Tina Arena. Carey’s cover version, was released as the second single from her 12th studio album Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel. Released on September 22, 2009, and produced by Carey, Tricky Stewart, and James “Big Jim” Wright, the song remained faithful to the original while adding her signature vocal style. Critics praised her rendition, with some calling it an impressive update.
The song reached No. 10 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart but only peaked at No. 60 on the Hot 100. In the UK, it debuted at No. 19. It became a major hit in Brazil, spending 27 consecutive weeks at No. 1 and earning a Diamond certification.
The music video, directed by Hype Williams, featured Carey performing at Yankee Stadium, incorporating emotional audience moments and a gospel choir. She promoted the song with performances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The X Factor, and the Angels Advocate Tour in Brazil.
Numerous remixes were released, and the track was later performed in her 2024 Brazil concerts.
The song has also been featured in countless films and television series, further solidifying its place in pop culture history.
As Foreigner continues their farewell tour, this latest milestone serves as a testament to their lasting influence on rock music. “I Want to Know What Love Is” is not just a song—it is a musical legacy that continues to inspire, move, and connect people across the world.
Justin Timberlake’s “SexyBack,” Frank Ocean’s “Ivy” and “Runaway” by Norwegian singer-songwriter Aurora have also surpassed 1 billion streams on January 30.
