“Waiting for a Girl Like You” by Foreigner
The addressee of Foreigner’s “Waiting for a Girl Like You” is a lady whom the singer is clearly smitten by. Or more to the point, he is hoping to build a lasting romantic relationship with her. But the primary sentiment being expressed is one of elation. He is very happy to have made such an acquaintance with this lady. Even as the title suggests, he has actually been “waiting for” her to materialize in his life. And now that the time has finally arrived, he is in fact overjoyed.
On some lines, the lyrics read as if the two of them have already initiated a romance, while on others it appears as if he is still anticipating the arrival of this lady. Or let’s say he is relaying his sentiments from two different perspectives – of someone who has found the woman he is looking for and as someone who is still searching. So in the former case, once again, he would be celebrating her arrival. While in the latter scenario, even though he is still longing for her presence, he is rejoicing in advance of her eventual appearance and apparently wants her to know that he is indeed excitingly anticipating their future romance.
Facts about “Waiting for a Girl Like You”
The writers of this song are Foreigner’s own Mick Jones and Lou Gramm.
Jones also produced the track along with Robert John “Mutt” Lange.
It is Gramm who serves as the lead vocalist on “Waiting for a Girl Like You”. And he once told a story of how when he was recording the tune an attractive woman, whom he had not seen before or since, came into the control room. And he being overtaken by her beauty was able to deliver a more-inspired performance than he would have been able to do otherwise.
This track was one of the band’s biggest hits, peaking at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 8 on the UK Singles Chart.
It also charted in seven other countries, including Australia, Canada and Ireland.
Foreigner released this classic as the second single from their fourth studio album (“4”) in October of 1981.