🌊 SURF 'N TURF 🏝️
-THE ISLAND LIFE-
'Head Games' by Foreigner
Did you know?
"Head Games" emerged as a powerful rock anthem in November 1979, showcasing Foreigner's signature blend of hard rock and emotional storytelling on their third album.
The song was uniquely marketed, with different singles released simultaneously in different regions - "Head Games" in the US while "Love On The Telephone" was promoted elsewhere in the world.
The songwriting partnership of Lou Gramm and Mick Jones crafted the track from their collective imaginations and memories, rather than any specific relationship experience.
The song's B-side "Do What You Like" featured sophisticated vocal arrangements reminiscent of their hit "Cold as Ice," demonstrating the band's continuing evolution of their signature sound.
Critics were divided on the song - Billboard praised Lou Gramm's "expressive" vocals and Mick Jones's "searing" guitar work, while others found similarities to their earlier hit "Double Vision."
The Fort Worth Star Telegram ranked it as the third-best single of 1979, placing it among distinguished company like The Babys and Cheap Trick.
The album's controversial cover art, featuring a woman against a bathroom wall, caused significant problems with retailers and radio stations, some of whom refused to stock the album or play its songs.
"Head Games" reached #14 on both the U.S. and Canadian charts, adding to Foreigner's impressive string of hits from their first three albums.
The song features a full band lineup including Ian McDonald on rhythm guitar and Al Greenwood on keyboards, whose contributions were specifically praised by critics.
The track follows a common theme in Foreigner's catalog - relationship struggles and psychological manipulation - but approaches it with what Ultimate Classic Rock called an "urgent lyrical communication."
Music critics noted the song's steady build and aggressive vocal performance, with Cash Box describing it as a "rock anthem that builds at a steady pace."
Like several of Foreigner's most successful songs, "Head Games" balances hard rock elements with pop sensibilities, which helped it appeal to both AOR (Album-Oriented Rock) and mainstream pop audiences.
The band faced criticism about the album's perceived misogynistic themes, leading them to frequently defend their respect for women in interviews and public statements.
The song's intricate arrangement showcases each band member's contributions, from Dennis Elliott's driving drums to Rick Wills' foundational bass work, demonstrating why Foreigner was one of the era's most accomplished rock bands.
Credits Goes to the respective
Author ✍️/ Photographer📸
🐇 🕳️
#Bitcoin #Satoshis #Freedom #Apocalypse #Music #Movies #Philosophy #Literature