Feels Like the First Time


"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.

Background

Jones wrote "Feels Like the First Time" while putting together the band that would become Foreigner. 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.'"

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." 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." She describes lead singer Gramm as turning in a "blueprint metal screamer vocal performance."
Billboard Magazine called "Feels Like the First Time" "tasteful, high energy rock" with "a direct, happy, love lyric." Billboard called the guitars "booming" and Gramm's lead vocal "intense but controlled." 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." Classic Rock History critic Janey Roberts ranked "Feels Like the First Time" as Foreigner's all-time top song.

In popular culture

In 2010, "Feels Like the First Time" was re-recorded to be included in the rhythm game .
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. A heavily-edited version appears in the 2020 Netflix movie Spenser Confidential.

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Personnel