"Head Games" is the title-cut and second single taken from the band Foreigner's third release. It was written by Lou Gramm and Mick Jones, and released primarily in the U.S. in November 1979 while at the same time, "Love On The Telephone" was being released elsewhere. The song's b-side, "Do What You Like" uses multi-layered harmony vocals along the lines of their earlier single, "Cold as Ice."
| "Head Games" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Foreigner | ||||
| from the album Head Games | ||||
| B-side | "Do What You Like" | |||
| Released | November 2, 1979 (US)[1] February 29, 1980 (UK)[2] | |||
| Recorded | Early 1979 | |||
| Genre | Hard rock | |||
| Length | 3:26 (single) 3:37 (album) | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Lou Gramm, Mick Jones | |||
| Producer(s) | Roy Thomas Baker, Mick Jones, Ian McDonald | |||
| Foreigner singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Head Games" on YouTube | ||||
Background
editThe lyrics of "Head Games" "express anguish and disappointment over a love affair.[3] Salt Lake Tribune staff writer Terry Orme said that "the message of 'Head Games'...is identical to 'Cold as Ice' – a banal, sleazy claim of unrequited love."[4]
Reception
editBillboard described "Head Games" as a "kick it out rocker" and described Gramm's vocals as "expressive" and Jones' guitar playing as "searing."[5] Cash Box called it a "rock anthem [that] builds at a steady pace" and said that "Lou Gramm's vocal is at its aggressive peak."[6] Record World said that "Gramm's snarling vocals & a relentless rhythm equal a tense, driving AOR-pop pick."[7]
Daily Republican Register critic Mike Bishop called out the song's lyrics as being "silly" and praised Al Greenwood's keyboards, although said that the riffs seem to be borrowed from Foreigner's earlier song "Double Vision."[8] Press-Enterprise critic Kim McNally described it as a "'you and me baby, I can't take it anymore' number" and found it to be "ponderous."[9] The Fort Worth Star Telegram rated it to be the 3rd best single of 1979, behind the Babys' "Every Time I Think of You" and Cheap Trick's "Voices."[10]
Ultimate Classic Rock critic Matt Wardlaw rated it as Foreigner's 8th greatest song, saying that "a soaring opening riff from Jones leads into urgent lyrical communication from Gramm, who struggles to figure out and face the true mental reality of his fractious relationship."[11]
"Head Games" reached number 14 on the charts of both the U.S.[12][13] and Canada[14]
Personnel
edit- Lou Gramm – lead vocals
- Mick Jones – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Ian McDonald – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Al Greenwood – keyboards
- Rick Wills – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Dennis Elliott – drums
Chart history
edit| Chart (1979–80) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada RPM Top Singles[14] | 14 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[12][13] | 14 |
| US Cash Box Top 100[15] | 12 |
In popular culture
editThe song was featured in the first episode of web television series Cobra Kai, when protagonist Johnny Lawrence drives whilst drunk and reminisces about his teenage years.[16]
References
edit- ^ "Foreigner singles".
- ^ "Music Week" (PDF). p. 38.
- ^ McEnroe, Colin (October 26, 1979). "'Foreigner' Maniacally Effective". Hartford Courant. p. 73. Retrieved 2022-06-18 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Orme, Terry (January 9, 1980). "It's True, Salt Lake City Loves Rock 'n Roll". Salt Lake Tribune. p. B3. Retrieved 2022-06-18 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. November 10, 1979. p. 81. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
- ^ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. November 10, 1979. p. 20. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
- ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. November 10, 1979. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
- ^ Bishop, Mike (November 16, 1979). "Platter Chatter". Daily Republican Register. p. 6. Retrieved 2022-06-18 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ McNally, Kim (September 15, 1979). "Foreigner uninspired". Morning Press. p. C-6. Retrieved 2022-06-18 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Kaye, Roger (January 13, 1980). "The best albums, singles and concerts of 1979". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. pp. 1D, 10D. Retrieved 2022-06-18 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Wardlaw, Matt (May 2, 2015). "Top 10 Foreigner Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2022-01-08.
- ^ a b "Foreigner Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
- ^ a b Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
- ^ a b Canada, Library and Archives (17 July 2013). "Image : RPM Weekly".
- ^ "Cash Box Top 100 1/12/80". tropicalglen.com.
- ^ Romano, Evan (September 10, 2020). "Here's Every Badass '80s Jam From Cobra Kai Seas". Men's Health. Hearst Magazine Media. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
