Can’t stop now, I’ve traveled so far, to change this lonely life/
I want to know what love is, I want you to show me.

“I Want to Know What Love Is” by Foreigner is the song that comes to my mind when I think 80s music. There are hits from the 80s that are higher on the list, but this seems to capture the 80s sound, and be uniquely 80s in a way. There is a lot of bad 80s music…this is a great 80s song. There are a couple defining features: synthesizers. This is the primary feature. Producers just went crazy with it back then. It created a very homogenous sound.

“I Want to Know What Love Is” only has a bit of synthesizer, so we aren’t too overwhelmed. The other distinguishing feature is the concept of a “power-ballad”. It is like a love song that has both tender parts and a chorus that is more rock-ish.

Foreigner’s  lyrics  are simple but good. They are powerful because everyone can relate to them. It talks about a lonely, lifelong journey to find love. The song is about hope. The couple is not in love yet. The singer is hoping to find love with his new lover. He is surrendering himself to her (him/whatever) and hoping that that trust will lead him to love. These are not typically songs you’d hear from a man in a love song. Traditionally, women surrender in love songs.

I should also point out the excellent background singers. Both the choir and the lead female background vocalist sound great, especially in the outro.

I Want to Know What Love is Lyrics

I gotta take a little time, a little time to think things over
I better read between the lines, in case I need it when I’m older

Now this mountain I must climb, feels like the world upon my shoulders
Through the clouds I see love shine, it keeps me warm as life grows colder

In my life there’s been heartache and pain
I don’t know if I can face it again
Can’t stop now, I’ve traveled so far, to change this lonely life

I want to know what love is, I want you to show me
I want to feel what love is, I know you can show me

I’m gonna take a little time, a little time to look around me
I’ve got nowhere left to hide, it looks like love has finally found me

In my life there’s been heartache and pain
I don’t know if I can face it again
Can’t stop now, I’ve traveled so far, to change this lonely life

I want to know what love is, I want you to show me
I want to feel what love is, I know you can show me
I want to know what love is, I want you to show me
(And I want to feel) I want to feel what love is
(And I know) I know you can show me
Let’s talk about love, I want to know what love is
The love that you feel inside, I want you to show me

And I’m feeling so much love, I want to feel what love is
No, you just can’t hide, I know you can show me
I want to know what love is (let’s talk about love), I know you can show me
I want to feel it too, I want to feel what love is
I want to feel it too, and I know and I know, I know you can show me
Show me love is real, yeah, I want to know what love is

Songwriters: Michael Leslie Jones