FOREIGNER joins Spotify's exclusive billions club with 'I Want To Know What Love Is'
31-01-2025
Legendary rock band FOREIGNER has officially entered Spotify‘s esteemed Billions Club, achieving a monumental milestone with their 1999 remastered version of the timeless classic “I Want To Know What Love Is”. The track, one of the band’s most iconic hits, has now surpassed one billion streams, joining an elite group of music legends that includes THE BEATLES, THE ROLLING STONES, QUEEN, AC/DC and Elton John, but very few others.
This is not an easy club for heritage bands to join! While FLEETWOOD MAC have three songs and THE EAGLES have two, THE BEATLES only have one and PINK FLOYD, THE WHO and Bob Dylan have yet to become members.
This remarkable achievement comes at a pivotal moment for FOREIGNER as the band prepares to celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2026, following their recent induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. The distinction of joining Spotify‘s Billions Club solidifies FOREIGNER‘s enduring influence and popularity of their music with generations of fans worldwide.
“We’re truly honored to be included in Spotify‘s Billions Club,” said the song’s writer and FOREIGNER founder Mick Jones. “This achievement is a testament to the lasting power of ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’ and the incredible support from our fans around the world. As we look ahead to our 50th anniversary, this is a reminder of how much our music has meant to so many people over the years.”
“I Want To Know What Love Is”, originally released in 1984, became a defining anthem of the ’80s rock era, climbing to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning multiple platinum certifications. The 1999 remastered version has resonated with both longtime fans and new listeners.
As the band looks forward to its milestone anniversary and upcoming touring plans, FOREIGNER is also preparing to release new material in celebration of its 50 years of musical history. Their legacy continues to inspire, and the Billions Club honor adds another chapter to their storied career.
Responsible for some of rock and roll’s most enduring anthems including “Juke Box Hero”, “Cold As Ice”, “Hot Blooded”, “Waiting For A Girl Like You”, “Feels Like The First Time”, “Urgent”, “Head Games”, “Say You Will” and the worldwide No. 1 hit “I Want To Know What Love Is”, FOREIGNER still rocks the charts almost 50 years into the game with massive airplay and continued Billboard 200 album success. Streams of FOREIGNER‘s hits are over 15 million per week.
FOREIGNER guitarist Mick Jones has revealed last year that he is battling Parkinson’s disease.
The 79-year-old musician, who has not performed with FOREIGNER since 2022, opened up about his diagnosis in a social media post earlier today.
He wrote: “Fans will have become very aware that for some time now, I have not been performing onstage with the band. Several years ago, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. I want everyone to know that I am doing alright. However, I’ve always liked to be at my best when performing onstage, and sadly, at present, I find that a bit difficult. I am still very much involved in the background with FOREIGNER and remain a presence.
“Parkinson’s is a daily struggle; the important thing is to persevere and remind myself of the wonderful career I’ve had in music.
“I thank all the fans who have supported FOREIGNER throughout the years and continue to attend our concerts — I want you to know I appreciate your support; it always means so very much to me, but especially so at this point in my life.”
Mick is a Songwriters Hall Of Fame inductee, and Grammy and Golden Globe-nominated rock legend. Jones, also a recipient of the prestigious British Ivor Novello Songwriter Award for “The Flame Still Burns”, the soundtrack for the film “Still Crazy”, is the founding member of the British-American rock band FOREIGNER.
Jones is the creative force behind iconic rock and roll hits such as “I Want To Know What Love Is”, “Urgent”, “Cold As Ice”, “Hot Blooded” and “Waiting For A Girl Like You”. Formed in 1976, FOREIGNER has become one of the world’s best-selling groups, with global sales exceeding 80 million.
Michael Leslie Jones, known professionally as Mick Jones, was born and raised in England. He began playing the guitar as a teenager and formed his own blues/rock band. After opening for THE ROLLING STONES in South London pubs, Jones got his first significant break working for French hitmaker Sylvie Vartan, with whom he opened for THE BEATLES at the Olympia in Paris. He also accompanied Jimi Hendrix on tour in France.
Jones then became the musical director and songwriter for French rock icon Johnny Hallyday, contributing to some of Hallyday‘s biggest hits. Jones continued to work in France until 1971. George Harrison had encouraged him to move to New York, after which he reformed SPOOKY TOOTH with Gary Wright and played with THE LESLIE WEST BAND and George Harrison himself.
In 1976 Jones formed FOREIGNER. The group, comprised of two other Englishmen, Ian McDonald and Dennis Elliott, and three Americans, Lou Gramm, Al Greenwood and Ed Gagliardi, went on to release some of rock and roll’s most enduring classics, including “Cold As Ice”, “Feels Like The First Time”, “Long, Long Way From Home”, “Juke Box Hero”, “Hot Blooded”, “Waiting For A Girl Like You”, “Head Games”, “Say You Will” and the global No. 1 hit “I Want To Know What Love Is”.
With more top 10 hits than JOURNEY and as many as FLEETWOOD MAC, and 10 multi-platinum albums, FOREIGNER continues to chart on radio airplay and the Billboard 200 almost five decades later.
Outside of his work with the band, Jones has maintained a solo career as a producer, working with BAD COMPANY and producing the best-selling albums of Billy Joel (“Storm Front”) and VAN HALEN (“5150”). He co-wrote the Grammy Award-winning song “Bad Love” with Eric Clapton and “Dreamer” with Ozzy Osbourne.
In July 2023, FOREIGNER commenced its two-year farewell tour with a spectacularly successful headline run at Live Nation amphitheaters. The second part of the tour will begin in June 2024 with a 40-show adventure across America.
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