Hot Blooded

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as The Zoo Crew spins the classic Hot Blooded by Foreigner from their iconic album Double Vision! This track, released in June 1978, is a fiery anthem that hit #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned platinum certification for selling over a million units. One juicy tidbit comes from lead singer Lou Gramm, who shared in a 2009 interview that the song’s riff was born in Mick Jones’ apartment. Gramm recalled stopping Jones mid-riff, exclaiming, “Wait! Stop! What’s that?” as Jones casually played what became the song’s backbone. The duo then crafted the chorus and lyrics, landing on the steamy Hot Blooded hook that’s had fans singing along ever since. Gramm also noted the song’s tongue-in-cheek vibe, reflecting the challenge of meeting fans on tour: “You see somebody in the audience you want to meet, but after the show, by the time you’re through doing interviews and getting cleaned up, there’s nobody around.”

Another cool story ties to the song’s legacy. In 2024, Sammy Hagar inducted Foreigner into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and belted out Hot Blooded at the ceremony. The performance was a star-studded affair, with Slash on guitar and Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers on drums, showcasing the song’s enduring pull. However, the event was bittersweet, as Mick Jones couldn’t attend due to health issues, and Gramm was limited to performing only I Want to Know What Love Is with Kelly Clarkson. The song’s raw energy also caught the ear of critics, with Record World praising its “AOR and pop impact” and music critic Maury Dean lauding Gramm’s “craggy tenor” for its “note-bending ecstasy.” Yet, not everyone was a fan—Robert Christgau called it a “typical piece of cock-rock nookie-hating,” though he admitted to secretly enjoying its riff-driven charm.

Now, let’s rewind to how Foreigner got their start. Formed in New York City in 1976, the band was a transatlantic fusion of talent, blending three British musicians—Mick Jones (guitar), Ian McDonald (multi-instrumentalist, ex-King Crimson), and Dennis Elliott (drummer)—with three Americans: Lou Gramm (vocals), Al Greenwood (keyboards), and Ed Gagliardi (bass). Mick Jones, the band’s creative force, came up with the name Foreigner because half the band would always be “foreigners” no matter where they played, a nod to their mixed nationalities. Jones had already made waves in the music scene, working with big names like George Harrison and Peter Frampton before moving to New York and briefly joining the Leslie West Band. Craving his own project, he assembled this powerhouse lineup, and their self-titled debut album in 1977 exploded with hits like Feels Like the First Time and Cold as Ice, selling over five million copies in the U.S. alone.

Their second album, Double Vision, cemented their status as arena rock giants, selling seven million copies and spawning Hot Blooded and the title track. With over 80 million records sold worldwide, Foreigner remains a juggernaut, known for their melodic hard rock and AOR swagger. You can keep up with them on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can also dive into the community on the Foreigner Fans Facebook group, a lively spot for Zoo Freaks to connect over their love for the band’s timeless riffs and anthems. So, keep it locked to THE ZOO, and let’s keep the Hot Blooded vibes flowing!