Feels Like the First Time
"Feels Like the First Time" | ||||
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Single by Foreigner | ||||
from the album Foreigner | ||||
B-side | "Woman, Oh Woman" | |||
Released | March 1977 | |||
Recorded | 1976 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
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Label | Atlantic | |||
Songwriter(s) | Mick Jones | |||
Producer(s) |
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Foreigner singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Feels Like the First Time" on YouTube |
"Feels Like the First Time" is the debut single by British-American rock band Foreigner. It was written by Mick Jones and released in 1977 from the band's eponymous debut album. It reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100.[1]
Background
Jones wrote "Feels Like the First Time" while putting together the band that would become Foreigner.[2] According to Jones "I started writing by myself. Before I knew it, I had two or three songs, and I wondered what to do with them. One of those songs was 'Feels Like the First Time.'"[2]
Reception
Allmusic critic Denise Sullivan described "Feels Like the First Time" as " one of those typically generic, much reviled by critics, '70s corporate rock hits" which nonetheless had "insta-appeal."[3] Sullivan attributed its popularity in part to its ability to bridge between heavy metal and MOR rock, with "hard-hitting" snare drum, "layered instruments and fist-pumping guitar riffs."[3] She describes lead singer Gramm as turning in a "blueprint metal screamer vocal performance."[3]
Billboard Magazine called "Feels Like the First Time" "tasteful, high energy rock" with "a direct, happy, love lyric."[4] Billboard called the guitars "booming" and Gramm's lead vocal "intense but controlled."[4] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Matt Wardlaw ranked "Feels Like the First Time" as Foreigner's 7th greatest song, stating that it represented a new beginning for Jones "as he had gotten married, moved to America and started what would become a very successful rock 'n' roll band."[5] Classic Rock History critic Janey Roberts ranked "Feels Like the First Time" as Foreigner's all-time top song.[6]
In popular culture
In 2010, "Feels Like the First Time" was re-recorded to be included in the rhythm game Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock.[7]
The song appears at the end of the 2012 film Magic Mike and was also used during the Riff Medley by the Treblemakers in the movie Pitch Perfect. It was also featured in the 2013 film Anchorman 2 and in the 2017 film I, Tonya[8]. A heavily-edited version appears in the 2020 Netflix movie Spenser Confidential[9].
Chart performance
Weekly charts
Chart (1977) | Peak position |
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Australia (KMR)[10] | 41 |
Canada RPM Top Singles | 7 |
UK[11] | 39 |
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[1][12] | 4 |
U.S. Cash Box Top 100 | 5 |
Year-end charts
Chart (1977) | Rank |
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Canada[13] | 79 |
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[14] | 31 |
U.S. Cash Box[15] | 34 |
Personnel
- Lou Gramm – lead vocal
- Mick Jones – lead guitar, backing vocal
- Ian McDonald – rhythm guitar, backing vocal
- Al Greenwood – synthesizer
- Ed Gagliardi – bass guitar, backing vocal
- Dennis Elliott – drums, backing vocal
References
- ^ a b "Foreigner Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
- ^ a b Giles, Jeff (March 8, 2017). "Revisiting Foreigner's Debut Album". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
- ^ a b c Sullivan, Denise. "Feels Like the First Time". Allmusic. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
- ^ a b "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. March 19, 1977. p. 68. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
- ^ Wardlaw, Matt (May 2, 2015). "Top 10 Foreigner Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
- ^ Roberts, Janey. "Top 10 Foreigner Songs". Classic Rock History. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
- ^ McElroy, Griffin (2010-08-17). "Full Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock track list revealed". Joystiq. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
- ^ "Songs and music featured in I, Tonya Soundtrack". tunefind.com. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
- ^ "Spenser Confidential Soundtrack Music - Complete Song List". tunefind.com. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
- ^ David Kent's "Australian Chart Book 1970-1992" Archived March 5, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Foreigner singles". The Official Chart Company. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
- ^ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
- ^ Bac-lac.gc.ca
- ^ Musicoutfitters.com
- ^ "Top 100 Year End Charts: 1977". Cashbox Magazine. Retrieved 2015-07-16.