Double Vision – Foreigner | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#2), 1978
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
Foreigner, so named because of its mix of American and British members, was formed by Mick Jones (ex-Spooky Tooth and Leslie West Band) and Ian McDonald (ex-King Crimson) after they met at a recording session for Ian Lloyd, formerly of Stories (Brother Louie).
Lead singer Lou Gramm was brought in from Black Sheep, appropriately enough, a cover band specializing in Free/Bad Company material. With the addition of three more musicians, Foreigner was ready to rock.
Foreigner, the debut album, entered the LP chart within a month of its release, reaching #4 and ultimately selling over five million copies.
The follow-up, Double Vision, did Foreigner one better by rising to #3 and moving over six million units. Penned by Jones and Gramm, the title single became the band’s fourth single to reach the Top 10 and earned them their second gold record.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Keith Olsen
- Mick Jones
- Ian McDonald
Lyrics Written by:
- Lou Gramm
- Mick Jones
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).