The current incarnation of the band includes Jones, lead vocalist Kelly Hansen, bass guitarist Jeff Pilson and multi-instrumentalist Tom Gimbel.
With ten multi-platinum albums and sixteen Top 30 hits, Foreigner is universally hailed as one of the most popular rock acts in the world with a formidable musical arsenal that continues to propel sold-out tours and album sales, now exceeding 75 million. Responsible for some of rock and roll’s most enduring anthems including Juke Box Hero, Feels Like The First Time, Urgent, Head Games, Say You Will, Cold as Ice, Hot Blooded, and the worldwide #1 hit, I Want To Know What Love Is, Foreigner continues to rock the charts more than thirty years into the game.
Reaction To Action
Foreigner Lyrics
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It's hard getting through to me,
I'm truly elusive.
I got my own point of view;
I am the one of a kind.
And I tell you 'lil girl,
I'm fascinated by you.
That makes all the difference.
Like the night is to day.
Well I can get along without you,
But I know that within you;
You've got what I'm missing,
And I'll find a way.
To get reaction to action.
Hey, say the word that would thrill me.
Yeah, I need reaction to action;
Just one look that would kill me.
You got a way of drawing attention to you.
You know you stand out in a crowd.
But the way that you play
With any man's affections,
Should never be allowed.
See I consider myself
The one who will show you.
I'd go as far as to say:
Girl, I ain't leaving here without you.
But you better understand
There's only one rule in this game we're gonna play:
And that's reaction to action.
Maybe like a word that would thrill me.
I need reaction to action.
One look that would kill me.
Give me reaction to action.
It's getting late, I'd better make a definite move.
Reaction to action,
And after that baby, it's up to you.
I need reaction to action;
Just a word that would thrill me.
I need reaction to action;
You know what I'm talking about.
Give me some reaction to action.
You got a look, you got a way that'll kill me.
Reaction to action, reaction to action, action.
Baby, don't think about it, just react.
Reaction to action.
Reaction to action.
Reaction to action.
Reaction to action.
Reaction to action.
Reaction to action.
In these lyrics, Foreigner's lead singer Lou Gramm seems to be captivated by a woman who has caught his eye, and he wants her to notice him as well. He acknowledges that he may be hard to reach, but he is unique and has his own perspective on the world. However, the woman he's interested in is equally fascinating to him, and he wants to get her to take action and show him how she feels. He is drawn to her in a way that he can't explain, and he needs her to react to him in order to move the relationship forward. He's willing to make a move, but he needs her to reciprocate.
The song is about the desire for someone to show interest and respond to your feelings. It's about taking a chance on love and hoping for a positive outcome, while recognizing that things may not always work out the way you want them to. The lyrics are built around the idea of "reaction to action," meaning that in any relationship, someone must take a step forward in order to create a desired reaction.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of urgency and longing, but also a sense of confidence and determination. Lou Gramm's voice gives the song a passionate, pleading quality that adds to its emotional impact. This is a classic 80s love song that captures the feelings and energy of the era.
Line by Line Meaning
It's hard getting through to me,
I am difficult to understand or connect with.
I'm truly elusive.
I am hard to pin down or capture.
I got my own point of view;
I have my own perspective on things.
I am the one of a kind.
I am unique and cannot be replicated.
And I tell you 'lil girl,
Addressing the woman he is speaking to.
I'm fascinated by you.
I am very interested in you.
There's something about you
She has a quality or trait that he is drawn to.
That makes all the difference.
Her presence changes everything.
Like the night is to day.
Her impact on him is as strong as the contrast between night and day.
Well I can get along without you,
He can survive and be happy without her.
But I know that within you;
He senses that she has something he needs or wants.
You've got what I'm missing,
She possesses a quality or trait that he lacks or desires.
And I'll find a way.
He is determined to get what he wants from her.
To get reaction to action.
He wants her to respond to his advances.
Hey, say the word that would thrill me.
He wants her to express enthusiasm or interest in him.
Yeah, I need reaction to action;
He needs her to reciprocate his feelings and initiate something between them.
Just one look that would kill me.
He wants her to give him a look that is irresistible.
You got a way of drawing attention to you.
She has a certain charm or charisma that makes her stand out.
You know you stand out in a crowd.
She is aware of her appeal and impact on others.
But the way that you play
He is critical of how she behaves in romantic situations.
With any man's affections,
She tends to mess with the emotions of men who are interested in her.
Should never be allowed.
He thinks she shouldn't be allowed to manipulate people like that.
See I consider myself
He thinks of himself as someone who can help her see things differently.
The one who will show you.
He believes he can introduce her to something new or better.
I'd go as far as to say:
He is willing to express a strong opinion or belief.
Girl, I ain't leaving here without you.
He is determined to take her home with him.
But you better understand
He warns her to listen carefully and take him seriously.
There's only one rule in this game we're gonna play:
He sets the rules and expects her to follow them.
And that's reaction to action.
The only acceptable outcome is for her to respond to him positively.
Maybe like a word that would thrill me.
He gives her an example of what he wants from her.
Give me reaction to action.
He repeats his demand for her to respond to him.
It's getting late, I'd better make a definite move.
He knows time is running out and he must act soon.
And after that baby, it's up to you.
He leaves the final decision in her hands.
You know what I'm talking about.
He assumes she understands his intentions and desires.
You got a look, you got a way that'll kill me.
He is attracted to her in a way that could be dangerous.
Reaction to action, reaction to action, action.
He repeats his desire for her to respond to him.
Baby, don't think about it, just react.
He urges her to act on her impulses without overthinking.
Reaction to action.
He repeats his demand for her to respond to him.
Reaction to action.
He repeats his demand for her to respond to him.
Reaction to action.
He repeats his demand for her to respond to him.
Reaction to action.
He repeats his demand for her to respond to him.
Reaction to action.
He repeats his demand for her to respond to him.
Reaction to action.
He repeats his demand for her to respond to him.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LOU GRAMM, MICK JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind