Feels Like the First Time by Foreigner

True to its title, “Feels Like the First Time” was not only Foreigner’s first hit, but the first song on its first album. At the time, Foreigner was known mainly because two of its members had played in cult-hero bands. Guitarist Mick Jones (not the same guy from the Clash) was in Spooky Tooth, a hard-rock band that also included keyboardist Gary Wright, later famous for “Dream Weaver.” And Foreigner’s sax player Ian McDonald had been in the art-rock band King Crimson. But “Feels Like the First Time” and the rest of Foreigner’s hit debut sounded nothing like those previous bands. With the addition of Lou Gramm’s piercing vocals, it was the start of a new sound that would forever be known as arena rock.

Foreigner got its name because half of the original six members were Brits, the other half were American.

Guitar players, watch out. You think you’ve got an easy song here until the solo rolls around. At which point a truly terrifying stream of triplets comes charging at you…so have a friend ready to save you there.

The vocal part can be sung in any octave you prefer—a blessing, since there are some tricky high runs throughout. Singing in the original key won’t improve your score, but it will earn your bandmates’ eternal respect.

Still going strong, though Mick Jones is currently the one original member.