I Want to Know What Love Is: Original Singer, Movie & Meaning

There are songs that define a decade, and then there are songs that seem to exist outside of time entirely. Few power ballads have crossed generations and genres quite like Foreigner’s 1984 anthem, a track that started as a late-night piano idea and became a global phenomenon. This article unpacks the song’s origin, its original singer, its surprising movie appearances, and the meaning behind those unforgettable lyrics.

Release year: 1984 ·
Album: Agent Provocateur ·
Original artist: Foreigner ·
Lead vocalist: Lou Gramm ·
Songwriter: Mick Jones ·
Peak chart position (US): #1 Billboard Hot 100

Eight key facts about the song, one pattern: the track’s reach extends far beyond its original 1984 release.

The implication: the song’s simple structure and emotional directness made it a template for the power ballad genre.

Who originally sang ‘I Want to Know What Love Is’?

The original recording of “I Want to Know What Love Is” was performed by the British-American rock band Foreigner, with lead vocals by Lou Gramm. The song was written by the band’s guitarist and leader Mick Jones, who has described how the melody came to him unexpectedly in 1984 — “at three in the morning,” as he told Louder music publication.

Who was the lead singer of Foreigner at the time?

• Lou Gramm was the lead vocalist of Foreigner from the band’s formation in 1976 until his first departure in 1990 (Wikipedia).
• Gramm’s distinctive, soulful tenor became the defining voice of the band’s biggest hits, including “Cold as Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” and “Juke Box Hero” (Wikipedia).
• Mick Jones wrote the song as a slow piano ballad before the band fleshed it out into the full power ballad arrangement (Louder music publication).

The pattern: the song’s success hinged on a creative gamble — a slow, gospel-tinged ballad from a band known for hard rock.

What movie had the song ‘I Want to Know What Love Is’?

Despite a persistent rumor, “I Want to Know What Love Is” does not appear in the 1986 film Top Gun. That soundtrack is famously dominated by songs like “Danger Zone” and “Take My Breath Away.” The song has, however, appeared in several other notable films and television shows.

Was it in Top Gun?

• No. The song is not listed on the Top Gun soundtrack (WhatSong soundtrack database).
• The confusion may stem from the song’s association with 1980s nostalgia and military-adjacent themes in other media.

What other films feature the song?

• The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005): The song is used in a memorable scene where the cast sings along to it during a card game (WhatSong soundtrack database).
• Rock of Ages (2012): The film adaptation of the Broadway jukebox musical features a cover of the song (WhatSong soundtrack database).
• Television: The song has appeared in episodes of Glee, Family Guy, and The Simpsons (WhatSong soundtrack database).

The catch: the song’s cultural footprint is so large that it’s often misremembered as being in films it never actually appeared in — a sign of its status as a universal 1980s touchstone.

What happened to the original Foreigner lead singer?

Lou Gramm’s relationship with Foreigner has been marked by departures, returns, and personal health battles. His story is one of the most dramatic in classic rock.

When did Lou Gramm leave Foreigner?

• Gramm left Foreigner in 1990 to pursue a solo career, which produced the hit “Midnight Blue” (Wikipedia).
• He returned in 1992 for the album Mr. Moonlight, then left again in the early 2000s (Wikipedia).
• He rejoined Foreigner for reunion tours in the 2010s but has not been the band’s full-time lead singer since 2005 (Wikipedia).

Is Lou Gramm still alive?

• Yes. Lou Gramm is alive as of 2025 (Wikipedia).
• In 1999, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor (craniopharyngioma), which required surgery and affected his vision and hormone levels. He recovered and returned to performing (Wikipedia).
• Gramm continues to perform with his own band, Lou Gramm Band, and occasionally makes guest appearances with Foreigner (Wikipedia).

The trade-off: Foreigner kept the brand alive with a new singer, but purists argue the emotional core of the song is inseparable from Gramm’s original vocal performance.

What is the meaning behind ‘I Want to Know What Love Is’?

The lyrics of “I Want to Know What Love Is” are deceptively simple: a narrator who has experienced pain and loneliness pleads for understanding of love. But the song’s meaning has been interpreted in multiple ways.

Is the song about a romantic relationship?

• Mick Jones has said the song is about a “universal search for love,” not necessarily a specific romantic relationship (Louder music publication).
• The lyrics “I’m gonna take a little time / A little time to think things over” suggest a moment of reflection after hardship.
• The chorus — “I want to know what love is / I want you to show me” — is a plea for revelation, not a declaration of knowledge.

What inspired the lyrics?

• Jones has not confirmed the song is autobiographical, though some commentators have speculated it reflects his personal life at the time (Rev. Don Erickson pastoral commentary).
• A common interpretation ties the lyrics to grief, loss, and emotional vulnerability — the narrator has been hurt and is seeking healing (Rev. Don Erickson pastoral commentary).
• The song’s inclusion of the New Jersey Mass Choir in the final chorus gives it a gospel, almost spiritual dimension — as if the answer to the question is found in communal, transcendent experience (Jamzone music blog).

The implication: the song’s genius is that it never answers its own question. The narrator remains in a state of longing, which is precisely why listeners keep coming back — the search itself is the point.

What are the notable covers of ‘I Want to Know What Love Is’?

The song has been covered by dozens of artists across genres, but a few versions stand out for their cultural impact.

Who covered it?

• Mariah Carey (2009): Carey released her cover as a charity single for World Hunger Year. She called it “one of the greatest songs ever written” (Jamzone music blog).
• Tina Arena (1998): The Australian singer’s version was a hit in her home country and across Europe (Jamzone music blog).
• Wynonna Judd (1997): The country star’s rendition brought the song to a new audience on the country charts.
• Lea Michele (2012): The Glee star performed the song on the show, introducing it to a younger generation (WhatSong soundtrack database).

Which cover is most famous?

• Mariah Carey’s 2009 version is the most commercially successful cover, reaching #1 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart (Jamzone music blog).
• However, Foreigner’s original remains the definitive version — it is the one that appears on classic rock radio, streaming playlists, and in the cultural memory of most listeners (Jamzone music blog).

The pattern: the best covers lean into the song’s gospel roots (Carey’s version added a choir), while the weaker ones strip away the vulnerability in favor of vocal acrobatics.

“I wanted to write a song about the universal search for love.”

— Mick Jones, speaking to Louder music publication

“It’s a song that people connect with on a deep level.”

— Lou Gramm, reflecting on the song’s legacy (Wikipedia)

“It’s one of the greatest songs ever written.”

— Mariah Carey, on her 2009 cover (Jamzone music blog)

Forty years after its release, “I Want to Know What Love Is” remains Foreigner’s most-streamed song on Spotify and a fixture of classic rock radio. For a band that built its reputation on hard-rock anthems, the legacy of one slow, vulnerable ballad is clear: it outlasted everything else in their catalog. For listeners discovering it today — whether through a movie, a cover, or a late-night radio play — the question the song asks is still worth asking.

While the song’s emotional resonance is widely acknowledged, the origins and meaning of the song provides additional context on its creation and legacy.

Frequently asked questions