The debut single that launched a legend. Released 1977 on the album Foreigner.
"Feels Like The First Time" was Foreigner's very first single — released in 1977, it climbed to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and announced to the world that a major new force had arrived in rock. Written by Mick Jones, the song is pure energy and optimism — a declaration of new beginnings wrapped in one of the most exhilarating guitar riffs of the late 1970s. It immediately established Foreigner's formula: powerful vocals, hook-driven arrangements, and a balance of hard rock power with radio-friendly accessibility.
"Feels Like The First Time" was written by Mick Jones before Foreigner even officially existed as a band. Jones wrote it as a personal expression of the excitement of starting something new — both in love and in his career. After years of session work and his time in Spooky Tooth, forming Foreigner felt like a fresh start, and that energy infuses every note of the song. It's a rare case where the biographical context and the lyrical content align perfectly — the song sounds like a new beginning because it genuinely was one.
When Lou Gramm first heard the demo, he immediately connected with its optimistic energy and brought his own vocal power to the arrangement. The chemistry between Jones' writing and Gramm's delivery was evident from this very first track — a creative partnership that would go on to produce some of the biggest rock hits of the late 1970s and 1980s. Gramm's voice gave the song a warmth and urgency that elevated it from a strong demo into a debut single worthy of launching a career.
The song captures something universal: that electric feeling of experiencing something genuinely new, when possibility feels limitless and every moment carries weight. Jones channeled that sensation into a melody and arrangement that communicate the feeling before you even register the lyrics. The ascending guitar riff alone tells you everything you need to know about where this song — and this band — is headed.
Recorded at Atlantic Studios in New York for the debut album, "Feels Like The First Time" was produced by John Sinclair and Gary Lyons with the band. The recording captures a group of seasoned musicians playing with the enthusiasm of a new band — veterans who had paid their dues in other projects and were hungry to prove themselves in this new configuration. There's a confidence in the playing that belies the fact that this was a debut.
The guitar riff that opens the song is instantly iconic — bright, ascending, and full of forward momentum. It's one of those rare riffs that communicates an emotion before a single word is sung: optimism, excitement, the thrill of something starting. Jones crafted it with a simplicity that makes it sound inevitable, as if it had always existed and was just waiting to be discovered. That kind of deceptive simplicity is the hallmark of great songwriting.
Ian McDonald's keyboards add texture and depth without competing with the guitar, filling out the arrangement with subtle harmonic richness. The rhythm section drives with a precision that belies how new the band was — tight, propulsive, and locked in from the very first bar. The overall production has a clarity that serves the song's energy: nothing muddy, nothing overwrought, just pure forward motion captured on tape with the confidence of musicians who knew they had something special.
"Feels Like The First Time" peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 — an extraordinary achievement for a debut single from an unknown band. It was Foreigner's first-ever charting single and immediately established them as commercial contenders, not just critical darlings or album-track artists. The song helped the self-titled debut album reach 5x platinum, launching one of the most successful rock careers of the era.
The song became a concert opener for Foreigner for years and has remained in constant classic rock radio rotation for nearly five decades. Its endurance on radio is a testament to both its craftsmanship and its emotional appeal — it never wears out its welcome because the feeling it captures is timeless. Every generation discovers it fresh, which is exactly what you'd expect from a song called "Feels Like The First Time."
Beyond radio, the song has been used in films, TV shows, and commercials as musical shorthand for excitement, new beginnings, and optimism. The phrase "feels like the first time" has itself become part of the cultural lexicon — a reference point that transcends its origin as a rock lyric. When storytellers need to communicate the rush of a new experience, they reach for this song. That kind of cultural penetration goes far beyond what chart positions can measure.
"Feels Like The First Time" brings an energy and optimism to the set that's different from the darker intensity of songs like "Urgent" or "Cold As Ice." It's pure uplift — the kind of song that reminds everyone in the room why they love rock and roll. Where other Foreigner tracks deal in tension, drama, or heartache, this one deals in possibility. It's a palette cleanser and an energy injection rolled into one.
Head Games often uses it as a set anchor that lifts the energy after a heavier sequence. The guitar riff is instantly recognizable and always gets an immediate crowd response — heads nod, smiles appear, and the energy in the room shifts upward the moment those first notes ring out. It's one of those songs where the audience reaction is almost Pavlovian: they hear the riff and the good feelings arrive automatically.
The vocal performance requires power and brightness — Gramm's original is one of his most athletic deliveries, soaring through the chorus with a combination of range and emotion that's demanding to reproduce. Recreating that energy demands everything from the vocalist: breath control, high-register power, and the ability to communicate joy without sacrificing grit. Head Games delivers it with the commitment and precision this debut classic deserves, honoring both the technical demands and the emotional spirit of the original.
Head Games brings "Feels Like The First Time" to life with the energy, precision, and optimism this debut classic demands. If you want to experience the song that launched Foreigner performed with full commitment and studio-level musicianship, check the tour schedule.
"Feels Like The First Time" appears on Foreigner's self-titled debut album, released in 1977. The album went on to achieve 5x platinum certification and launched one of rock's most successful careers.
Yes — "Feels Like The First Time" was Foreigner's debut single. Released in 1977, it climbed to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and announced the arrival of a major new force in rock music.
"Feels Like The First Time" was written by Mick Jones, Foreigner's lead guitarist and primary songwriter. Jones wrote it as a personal expression of the excitement of new beginnings — both in love and in his career as he formed the band.
Yes. "Feels Like The First Time" is a staple of Head Games' setlist. The band uses it as a set anchor that lifts energy with its optimistic drive and instantly recognizable guitar riff, delivering the vocal power and brightness the song demands.
Explore the stories behind more classic Foreigner tracks performed live by Head Games: