Records Songs Ranked
Records is a compilation album by the British-American rock band Foreigner, released on November 29, 1982 to span the band’s first four albums through 1981. Along with their second album, Double Vision, this release is the group’s best-selling record. It has been certified 7x platinum by the RIAA. Foreigner’s most lucrative years came during their first four albums, with their guitar-driven arena rock flair settling in nicely with the rest of the late-’70s music scene. Twelve of Foreigner’s 16 Top 40 singles are from a six year span, between 1977 and 1982, which is why Records makes for such an entertaining collection of the band’s early work. With cuts stemming from Foreigner, Double Vision, Head Games, and 4, Records lines up ten of their first 11 hit singles, somehow leaving out 1979’s “Blue Morning, Blue Day.” But even with this minor deletion, the album is agreeably brief, and it’s the most opportune route in exploring Foreigner’s best material. Both “Cold As Ice” and “Double Vision” are stellar examples of Lou Gramm’s vocal gusto and Mick Jones’ bang-on guitar playing, while favorites like “Urgent” (with Junior Walker on sax ), “Head Games,” and “Feels Like the First Time,” with its shiny keyboard segments, are unblemished radio-rock standards. The live cut of “Hot Blooded” is a nice addition as well, as is the band’s second-best ballad in “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” outdone only by 1984’s “I Want to Know What Love Is.” While Records fits the bill as a compact summation of all of Foreigner’s pre-Agent Provocateur hits, it also makes for one great driving album. Here are all of Records songs ranked.
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10. Urgent
“When Foreigner Records came out in 1982,Foreigner had only released for albums.Foreigner,Double Vision,Head Games,and 4,all good albums,but somebody thought they needed a greatest hits album already,with only having 4 albums out.With 10 songs Records represents the Foreigner radio experience very well,the album only contains songs that you should know.”
9. Cold As Ice
“You cannot go wrong with this FOREIGNER CD. It has their best hits and the sound is outstanding! For older or newer FOREIGNER fans I highly recommend this CD! The instruments and vocals are outstanding!!!”
8. Double Vision
“If you have Agent Provocateur and Inside Information and would like to know how they sounded like before that this collection perfectly fits your need. I know it is not complete but I love every song included.”
See more: Foreigners Albums Ranked
7. Dirty White Boy
“I’m listening to this fantastic album right now as I’m writing this, it’s magic. it’s been on my hit-list for ages, since I heard it. all the best rockin’ tunes from the first four albums.”
6. Head Games
“A summation of the band’s history through their first four albums, “Records” does casual fans the favor of separating out the nuggets from the filler material that usually surrounded them on their original studio albums.”
5. Jukebox Hero
“Foreigner are one of those bands that it is not “cool” to like, and as such are very underrated and much maligned. This compilation of most of their late seventies to early eighties hits clearly demonstrates a solid body of work. I like them but am aware I am probably in the minority.”
See more: Foreigner Songs Ranked
4. Waiting for a Girl Like You
“Mick Jones’ songwriting and Lou Gramm’s vocals are the driving force of the band, and that combination are the solid foundation that have kept them going for so long.”
3. Long, Long Way From Home
“Listening to this collection brings back good memories, when times were less judgemental, and bands with just good songs and less of a glamorous image could still get on.”
2. Hot Blooded
“The “Records” collection is a terrific compilation of Foreigner’s hits from their self-titled first album to 1981s “4”. These guys went through some changes from the beginning, condensing from six to four members, but the core combination of Mick Jones and Lou Gramm produced some great rock music in the period this album covers.”
1. Feels Like the First Time
“Forget about them being am “arena rock” band and all the negative connotations that come with that label. This was one of the best mainstream rock bands from 77-81 with nothing to apologize about. AllMusic.com puts in great perspective: not all rock fans were angry and disgruntled in the late 70s and wanted every band to be the Sex Pistols. Most wanted melodic songs, guitar hooks and hot-shit vocals, which Foreigner provided in spades.”
