Cold As Ice

The song "Cold As Ice" by Foreigner is a classic rock staple from their 1977 debut album, Foreigner, and its creation has a few intriguing stories behind it. Mick Jones, the band's guitarist and co-founder, shared in a 2019 interview with Rhino that the song’s iconic piano riff was inspired by a snowy night in New York City. He was living on Riverside Drive and had just watched a Joan Crawford movie, which sparked the song’s chilly, dramatic vibe. However, Jones’s recollection has varied slightly over time; in a Songfacts interview, he mentioned the movie Mommie Dearest as the inspiration, though that film wasn’t released until 1981, suggesting he might have mixed up the titles or films. Regardless, the song came together quickly after producer Gary Lyons rejected another track for the album, prompting Jones to craft "Cold As Ice" in a burst of creativity at his piano. The result was a track that hit No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of Foreigner’s signature songs.

Another layer to "Cold As Ice" is its production and reception. The single version, slightly shorter than the album cut, added an orchestral track, giving it a polished edge that helped it stand out on radio. Music critic Dave Marsh praised Mick Jones’s songwriting, placing him among top hard-rock writers of the era, while Hartford Courant’s Henry McNulty called it a favorite, highlighting the driving drums of Dennis Elliott and the interplay between Lou Gramm’s vocals and Al Greenwood’s keyboards. The song’s piano hook is often cited as one of classic rock’s most recognizable riffs, with Classic Rock History ranking it as Foreigner’s fourth greatest song. On social media, Foreigner themselves leaned into its legacy, with a 2017 post on X saying, “It’s Cold as Ice! Let’s turn the heat up! #Foreigner40 #TBT,” tying it to their 40th anniversary celebrations.

The song has also left a mark beyond Foreigner’s catalog. It’s been sampled by artists like M.O.P. in their 2000 track "Cold as Ice" and Kanye West during his 2015 Glastonbury performance, showing its influence across genres. Fans on platforms like Songfacts have shared their love for it, with one user, Logan from Troy, Montana, noting in a comment that they were considering using it in a musical they were writing. The song’s enduring popularity is evident in its chart performance across countries like the UK, Australia, Canada, and more, as noted by 1Cold, cementing its status as Foreigner’s most associated hit alongside tracks like "Feels Like the First Time."

Foreigner was formed in 1976 in New York City, born from the vision of British guitarist Mick Jones, who had previously played with acts like Spooky Tooth and the Leslie West Band. Jones, determined to create a band that blended British rock sensibilities with American energy, teamed up with multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald, formerly of King Crimson, and American vocalist Lou Gramm, whose powerful voice became a defining element of the band’s sound. The trio, along with Al Greenwood (keyboards), Dennis Elliott (drums), and Ed Gagliardi (bass), gelled quickly after Gramm’s standout audition, where he sang songs like "Feels Like the First Time" that Jones had written before the band’s formation. Their self-titled debut album, released in March 1977, was a massive success, selling over four million copies in the U.S. alone and hitting No. 4 on the Billboard 200, as celebrated in a 2024 X post by the band.

The band’s rise was meteoric, with sell-out stadium shows by May 1977, as noted by 1Cold. Jones’s leadership and songwriting, paired with Gramm’s dynamic vocals, set Foreigner apart in the competitive rock scene of the late ’70s. Over the years, the band saw lineup changes, but Jones remained the constant, guiding Foreigner through nine studio albums and hits like "Waiting for a Girl Like You" and "I Want to Know What Love Is." Today, they continue to tour, with a reunion show planned for August 2025 in Sturgis, South Dakota, featuring original members like Lou Gramm and Al Greenwood alongside the current lineup, as shared on their official Facebook page.

You can stay updated with Foreigner through their official channels: their website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also connect through dedicated spaces like the Foreigner Fans Facebook Group, where Zoo Freaks might find fellow enthusiasts sharing memories and updates about the band. While no standalone fan websites were prominent in recent searches, the band’s active social media presence and fan-driven groups keep the community thriving, perfect for anyone spinning "Cold As Ice" at THE ZOO.