"Head Games" is the title-cut and second single taken from the band Foreigner's third release. It was written by

Lou Gramm Lou Gramm (born Louis Andrew Grammatico; 2 May 1950) is an American singer-songwriter, best known for being the lead singer of the rock band Foreigner from 1977 to 1990 and 1992 to 2003 during which time the band had numerous successful albu ...

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."

Background

The lyrics of "Head Games" "express anguish and disappointment over a love affair. ''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."

Reception

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' described "Head Games" as a "kick it out rocker" and described Gramm's vocals as "expressive" and Jones' guitar playing as "searing." ''

Cash Box ''Cashbox'', also known as ''Cash Box'', was an American music industry trade magazine, originally published weekly from July 1942 to November 1996. Ten years after its dissolution, it was revived and continues as ''Cashbox Magazine'', an online ...

'' called it a "rock anthem

hat A hat is a head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorporate mecha ...

builds at a steady pace" and said that "Lou Gramm's vocal is at its aggressive peak." ''

Record World ''Record World'' magazine was one of the three main music industry trade magazines in the United States, along with '' Billboard'' and '' Cashbox''. It was founded in 1946 under the name ''Music Vendor'', but in 1964 it was changed to ''Record Wo ...

'' said that "Gramm's snarling vocals & a relentless rhythm equal a tense, driving AOR-pop pick." ''Daily Republican Register'' critic Mike Bishop called out the song's lyrics as being "silly" and praised

Al Greenwood Alan Greenwood (born October 20, 1951) is an American rock musician who was a founding member and keyboardist of the rock band Foreigner from 1976 to 1980. He performed on the albums '' Foreigner'' (1977), ''Double Vision'' (1978) and '' Head ...

's keyboards, although said that the

riff A riff is a repeated chord progression or refrain in music (also known as an ostinato figure in classical music); it is a pattern, or melody, often played by the rhythm section instruments or solo instrument, that forms the basis or accompani ...

s seem to be borrowed from Foreigner's earlier song "

Double Vision Diplopia is the simultaneous perception of two images of a single object that may be displaced horizontally or vertically in relation to each other. Also called double vision, it is a loss of visual focus under regular conditions, and is often v ...

." ''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." The ''Fort Worth Star Telegram'' rated it to be the 3rd best single of 1979, behind

the Babys The Babys are a British rock group best known for their songs " Isn't It Time" and "Every Time I Think of You". Both songs were composed by Jack Conrad and Ray Kennedy, and each reached No. 13 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and No. 8 on the ...

' "

Every Time I Think of You "Every Time I Think of You" is a song written by Jack Conrad and Ray Kennedy and released in December 1978 as the lead single from The Babys' third studio album ''Head First''; John Waite provided lead vocals, featuring female vocals by Myrna Mat ...

" and

Cheap Trick Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973 by guitarist Rick Nielsen, bassist Tom Petersson, lead vocalist Robin Zander and drummer Bun E. Carlos. The current lineup of the band consists of Zander, Nielsen and ...

's "

Voices Voices or The Voices may refer to: Film and television * ''Voices'' (1920 film), by Chester M. De Vonde, with Diana Allen * ''Voices'' (1973 film), a British horror film * ''Voices'' (1979 film), a film by Robert Markowitz * ''Voices'' (19 ...

." ''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." "Head Games" reached number 14 on the charts of both the U.S.''Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990'' - and Canada

Personnel

– lead vocals * Mick Jones – lead guitar, backing vocals * Ian McDonald – rhythm guitar, backing vocals *

– keyboards *

Dennis Elliott Dennis Leslie Elliott (born 18 August 1950, in Peckham, London) is a British musician and artist, who was the original drummer for the rock band, Foreigner. He played with the band from 1976 until leaving between 1991 and 1993. He went on to ...

– drums *

Rick Wills Richard William Wills (born 5 December 1947) is an English bass guitarist. He is best known for his work with the rock band Foreigner and his associations with the Small Faces, Peter Frampton, Spooky Tooth, David Gilmour, Bad Company and The J ...

– bass guitar, backing vocals

Chart history

In popular culture

The song was featured in the first episode of web television series ''

Cobra Kai ''Cobra Kai'' is an American martial arts comedy-drama television series and a sequel to the original ''The Karate Kid'' films by Robert Mark Kamen. The series was created by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg, and is distributed b ...

'', when protagonist Johnny Lawrence drives whilst drunk and reminisces about his teenage years.

References

{{authority control 1979 singles Foreigner (band) songs Songs written by Mick Jones (Foreigner) Songs written by Lou Gramm Song recordings produced by Roy Thomas Baker 1979 songs Atlantic Records singles Song recordings produced by Mick Jones (Foreigner) Song recordings produced by Ian McDonald (musician)