Foreigner is a British-American rock band, originally formed in 1976 by the… Read Full Bio ↴Foreigner is a British-American rock band, originally formed in 1976 by the veteran English musician Mick Jones and fellow Briton and ex-King Crimson member Ian McDonald along with American vocalist Lou Gramm.

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.

That's All Right
Foreigner Lyrics

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Well that's all right mama,
That's all right for you.
Yeh that's all right mama,
Just anyway you do.

That's all right, (2x)
That's all right my mama,
Anyway you do.

Well mama she done told me,
Papa done told me too.
Son that gal you're fooling with,
She ain't no girl for you.

That's all right, (2x)
That's all right my mama,
Anyway you do.

I'm leaving town baby,
I'm leaving town for sure,
Then you won't be bothered
With me hanging round your door.

That's all right, (2x)
Yeh that's all right my mama,
Anyway you do.

Well that's all right mama,
Yeah that's all right for you.
That's all right mama,
Just anyway you do.

That's all right, (2x)
That's all right my mama,
Anyway you do. Dee, dee, dee, dee, dee, dee,
Da, da dee, dee, dee, (2x)
I need your loving.
That's all right.
Well that's all right my mama,
Anyway you do.

Yeh that's all right my mama,
Anyway you do.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Foreigner's song "That's All Right" are a simple but powerful expression of romantic resignation. The subject of the song is in love with a woman who has been warned away from him by both her mother and his own father, but he persists in his feelings anyway. He tells himself and his lover that "that's all right" with her, no matter what anyone else thinks, and that he's leaving town to make it easier for her.

The repetition of "that's all right" throughout the song creates a sense of stubborn determination, but also a sense of acceptance. The singer knows that he can't control what others think or do - he can only control his own actions and emotions. By repeating "that's all right," he's trying to convince himself as much as his lover that their love is worth fighting for, even if it's difficult or frowned upon.

Overall, "That's All Right" is a testament to the power of love to overcome obstacles, but also to the limitations of that power in the face of social pressure and family expectations.

Line by Line Meaning

Well that's all right mama,
It's alright for you, mama, no matter what you do.

That's all right for you.
Whatever you do, mama, it's okay with me.

Yeh that's all right mama,
Yes, it's all okay with you, mama.

Just anyway you do.
No matter how you do it, Mama, it's okay with me.

That's all right, (2x)
It's all okay.

That's all right my mama,
It's all okay, Mama.

Anyway you do.
No matter how you do it, it's okay with me.

Well mama she done told me,
My mama has told me...

Papa done told me too.
As well as my papa...

Son that gal you're fooling with,
...that the lady you're involved with...

She ain't no girl for you.
...is not the right one for you.