Agent Provocateur
Foreigner
℗ 1984 Atlantic Records 7567 81999
It took Foreigner three years to release a follow-up to its 1981 blockbuster, 4. Perhaps that wait wasn't long enough, because Agent Provocateur is a prime example of the best and worst traits of AOR: a handful of remarkable songs padded by toothless filler. Despite contributing a few killer riffs to Foreigner's '70s canon, guitarist/keyboardist Mick Jones isn't known for his six-string abilities. His biggest strength is his knack for melody as a songwriter, keyboardist, and producer, and all these qualities are evident on Agent Provocateur. Of course, vocalist/songwriter Lou Gramm is indispensable as the band's golden-throated frontman. Jones largely guided things behind the studio console, but a co-producer usually helped, such as Alex Sadkin on this album. "I Want to Know What Love Is" became Foreigner's first and only number one single, and it's not hard to see why. Its dreamy, hypnotic feel is due in part to Gramm's soulful lead vocals and the New Jersey Mass Choir's background vocals. Jennifer Holliday and the Thompson Twins' Tom Bailey help out as well. "That Was Yesterday," a terrific hit single, features a catchy chorus and a nifty synthesizer lick. "Reaction to Action" and "Down on Love" were both minor hits, but there's a huge difference in quality between the two; the former is the epitome of bland, formulaic AOR, while the latter includes a pleasant chorus and a warm keyboard melody. "A Love in Vain" and "Growing Up the Hard Way" have a few good moments too. — Bret Adams. |
- 1. Tooth and Nail (L. Gramm — M. Jones) [03:54]
- 2. That Was Yesterday (M. Jones — L. Gramm) [03:43]
- 3. I Want to Know What Love Is (M. Jones) [05:04]
- 4. Growing Up the Hard Way (M. Jones — L. Gramm) [04:01]
- 5. Reaction to Action (M. Jones — L. Gramm) [03:50]
- 6. Stranger in My Own House (M. Jones) [04:51]
- 7. A Love in Vain (M. Jones — L. Gramm) [04:19]
- 8. Down on Love (M. Jones — L. Gramm) [04:00]
- 9. Two Different Worlds (L. Gramm) [04:31]
- 10. She's Too Tough (M. Jones — L. Gramm) [03:10]
Участие в альбоме:
- Dennis Elliott: drums
- Lou Gramm: lead vocals, percussion
- Mick Jones: guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, background vocals
- Rick Wills: bass guitar, background vocals
- Wally Badarou: digital and analog synthesizers
- Tom Bailey: background vocals (3)
- Brian Eddolls: additional synthesizers
- Larry Fast: additional synthesizers
- Jennifer Holliday: background vocals (3)
- Dave Lebolt: additional synthesizers
- Ian Llyod: background vocals
- Bob Mayo: hohner piano, additional synthesizers, background vocals
- The New Jersey Mass Choir with Donnie Harper: background vocals (3)
- Mark Rivera: background vocals, saxophone
- Jack Waldman: additional synthesizers
Тексты:
Tooth and Nail
(L. Gramm — M. Jones)
I'm tired of all this cheap talk When you walk next to me They say I ain't good enough for you Why don't they come and tell me When they see us out in the night They can't wait to tear us apart Now I hear them saying lovin' you ain't right Well they'd better be ready 'cause honey I'll be there I will fight tooth and nail Count on me, I will not fail you I will fight tooth and nail They say I'm always breaking promises And I'm just fooling with you Then they try and come between the two of us Man, that's a bad thing to do I can say I had more than enough But I ain't gonna take it too hard I said hey, they want to play rough Well let's see who backs down when the trouble starts I will fight tooth and nail Count on me, I will not fail you I will fight tooth and nail Come on try me, I won't give in They take advantage, but they can't win I'll be your man, baby, wait and see Ain't nobody, nobody take your love from me I will fight tooth and nail I was wrong, I will not fail you I will fight tooth and nail I'll be your man, baby, wait and see Ain't nobody, nowhere take your love away from me I will fight tooth and nail Count on me, I will not fail you I will fight tooth and nail Right now, (yeah) tooth and nail I am waiting for the fight, tooth and nail Right now, c'mon, tooth and nail (Right now) right now, tooth and nail C'mon, tooth and nail Ah fight, tooth and nail Right now, c'mon, tooth and nail Hey c'mon, right now, tooth and nail
That Was Yesterday
(M. Jones — L. Gramm)
I thought I knew you well But all this time I could never tell I let you get away Haunts me every night and every day You were the only one The only friend that I counted on How could I watch you walk away I'd give anything to have you here today But now I stand alone with my pride And dream that you're still by my side But that was yesterday I had the world in my hands But it's not the end of my world Just a slight change of plans That was yesterday But today life goes on No more hiding in yesterday 'Cause yesterday's gone Love, my love I gave it all Thought I saw the light When I heard you call Life that we both could share Has deserted me Left me in despair But now I stand alone with my pride Fighting back the tears I never let myself cry But that was yesterday Love was torn from my hands But it's not the end of my world Just a little hard to understand That was yesterday But today life goes on You won't find me in yesterday's world Now yesterday's gone Goodbye yesterday Now it's over and done Still I hope somewhere deep in your heart Yesterday will live on
I Want to Know What Love Is
(M. Jones)
gotta take a little time A little time to think things over I better read between the lines In case I need it when I'm older Aaaah woah-ah-aah Now this mountain I must climb Feels like a world upon my shoulders And through the clouds I see love shine It keeps me warm as life grows colder In my life there's been heartache and pain I don't know if I can face it again Can't stop now, I've traveled so far To change this lonely life I wanna know what love is I want you to show me I wanna feel what love is I know you can show me Aaaah woah-oh-ooh I'm gonna take a little time A little time to look around me, oooh ooh-ooh ooh-ooh oooh I've got nowhere left to hide It looks like love has finally found me In my life there's been heartache and pain I don't know if I can face it again I can't stop now, I've traveled so far To change this lonely life I wanna know what love is I want you to show me I wanna feel what love is I know you can show me I wanna know what love is I want you to show me And I wanna feel, I want to feel what love is And I know, I know you can show me Let's talk about love I wanna know what love is, the love that you feel inside I want you to show me, I'm feeling so much love I wanna feel what love is, no, you just cannot hide I know you can show me, yeah, woah-oh-ooh I wanna know what love is, let's talk about love I want you to show me, I wanna feel it too I wanna feel what love is, I wanna feel it too And I know, and I know, I know you can show me Show me what is real, woah (woah), yeah I know I wanna know what love is, hey I wanna know what love I want you to show me, I wanna know, I wanna know, want know I wanna feel what love is, hey I wanna feel, love I know you can show me, yeah
Growing Up the Hard Way
(M. Jones — L. Gramm)
He's got nothing to say He's got no excuse He's just made that way And he's gonna stay that way Like a dog on the loose In a firework display in a world of his own No, no, no, he won't back down Or go running back home He's come a long way in life He's got a long way to go He don't even know He don't care because He's growing up the hard way In and out of trouble every day He's growing up the hard way Now no tellin' where you'll end up, boy And he's got nothing to say Like he's lost for the worlds His mind's in a daze, that's his way It's just a little game he plays He's got nowhere to run While the city sleeps he wanders alone Cuttin' through the steel And the hearts of stone He's come a long way in life He's got a long way to go He don't even know But he don't care because He's growing up the hard way In and out of trouble every day He's growing up the hard way You'd better walk the straight and narrow, yeah Growing up the hard way In and out of trouble every day He's growing up the hard way Never know what you're in for, boy He's come a long way in life He's got a long way to go He don't wanna know And he don't care because He's growing up the hard way In and out of trouble every day He's growing up the hard way Yeah, and he's gonna stay that way You see, he's growing up the hard way Walk the straight and narrow yeah, maybe someday But still he's growing up the hard way It's just the way he's grown up Yeah, growing up the hard way There ain't no other way Growing up the hard way Growing up the hard way
Reaction to Action
(M. Jones — L. Gramm)
Yeah, one, one, one Yeah-hey Alright It's hard getting through to me I'm truly elusive I got my own point of view And I'm the one of a kind And I tell you l'il girl I am fascinated by you You see, there's something about 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 Hey, 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, hmmm 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) 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 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) action (Reaction to action) action Reaction to action, reation to action, yeah-eh-eh-eh, aaah-oooh Reaction to action, yeah (Reaction to action) action
Stranger in My Own House
(M. Jones)
She said "Boy your luck is running out" She make me feel like a stranger In my own house I come stumbling in, at a quarter to three To the sound of my own dog growlin' at me Ah-I'm scared to move or turn on a light Ah, you've got me creepin' around in the dark like a thief in the night I've got no excuse, ah-I should have known I've got no place to live, I never feel at home I walk into the kitchen, to see what's there Ah-I'm tired and I'm hungry but the cupboard's bare I've been working all day and all night too I can't believe this is all I have to come back to I guess I'll take a look upstairs, in the danger zone I wonder what I'm doing here, when I never feel at home I'm a (stranger) stranger in my own house I've got the keys to the door but I'm still locked out I'm a (stranger) stranger in my own house Yeah, I'm gettin' a l'il upset about it too, babe Woah-I'll huff and I'll puff and blow this house down Won't be a (stranger) stranger in my own house I better leave this place, baby Yeah, ah-ha, ah-ha I see the "do not disturb" sign hanging on my bedroom door Hey, what is this sheet and pillow laying on the floor? I guess I wore out my welcome, I hear you loud and clear It takes so l'il, I think it's time we'd get a few things straight around here I've got no excuse, I should've known I've got a place to live, but I never feel at home I'm just a (stranger) stranger in my own house I've got the keys to the door but I'm still locked out (Stranger) stranger in my own house Yeah, I know you're messing with me girl, go over it, no more, ah-ah I'll huff and I'll puff and blow this house down Can't be a (stranger) stranger in my own house Yeah I know, aaah, whoa ah-ooh I've got no excuse, I should've known With a woman like you, I'm better off alone I'm a (stranger) stranger in my own house I've got the keys to the door but I'm still locked out I'm just a (stranger) stranger in my own house Oh, honey I'm home I'm just a (stranger) stranger in my own house You got a lion on your hands girl, not a mouse I'm just a (stranger) stranger in my own house Yeah, somebody's got to go I'm just a (stranger) stranger in my own house I'm just a stranger in my own house Stranger Stranger Stranger
A Love in Vain
(M. Jones — L. Gramm)
Long night, too long and lonely Laying there asking myself Hey, what's going on with you and me How could I be so unaware So blind I could not see Knowing you'd be there And always would be Is anyone to blame but me I've been so concerned with myself Now I need you desperately If you've fallen for another Let's be honest with each other Is there still a chance And maybe hope to save our romance We can't be strangers You mean too much to me I won't let this be a love in vain Don't want the loneliness Of just a memory I don't want a love in vain Just one more night, I want to spend with you We'll let our hearts do the talking Like we used to do We'll make our first kiss last forever Put the pieces back together 'Cause there's still a chance There may be hope to save our romance We can't be strangers You mean to much to me I won't let this be a love in vain, don't want a love in vain I don't want the loneliness Of just a memory Don't want a love in vain Oh, woman look what you've done to me I'll show you how this love should be Don't let it be a love in vain Please don't, don't you know You got my heart on a string Don't let go Don't let this love be a love in vain We can't be strangers It's not our destiny I won't let this be a love in vain, don't want a love in vain Don't want the loneliness Of just a memory Don't let this be a love in vain
Down on Love
(M. Jones — L. Gramm)
Some people stay all alone and hide They don't even want to know the reason why They've given up on finding someone new But new love comes, it's gonna come for you When true love comes, it's gonna comfort you Now you say you've got a broken heart You oughta know this side of love can leave you torn apart Dry your eyes 'cause your heart's gonna mend And maybe tonight you'll fall in love again Yeah, maybe tonight you'l fall in love again But I know, I know that you're down on love But you're wrong, so wrong To be down on love Now love seems so far away Your skies are so cloudy And the tears come like fallin' rain Face up to it and don't pretend And maybe tonight you'll fall in love again Yeah, maybe tonight you'll fall in love again Just once in a life you'll realize When love takes two, only one heart cries But you're wrong, so wrong to be down on love You know you're not the only one See I've been down on love In matters of the heart You better know before you start You can't get down on love So always be prepared To be alone and a little scared But never down on love You see you can't stay down forever, girl Down on love Come on, now Don't get down on love This ain't right baby, no Down on love Don't you go through life livin' down on love Down on love Don't you go through life livin' down on love Down on love Don't you go through life down on love Down on love Down on love
Two Different Worlds
(L. Gramm)
Hmmmm Aaaah I know this girl, she's always on my mind She lives in her world and I, I live in mine I should forget about her and I've tried Oh Lord knows I've tried But I wanna to know her And here's the other side I've got someone waiting for me every night And she's the only one I've ever loved And it's been that way for the longest time, eh She's the one that makes my world go right And it tears me in two 'cause I know where I'll be tonight I think she knows it, I think she knows I live in two different worlds, two different worlds One that belongs to me, one could be wrong for me Two different worlds, two different worlds Always, two different worlds Is she that different or is it the thrill of someone new? Ooh-ooh Strung out on her, I need her love, I need it bad And I know, I know it's true I'm the one that lies awake alone And I know, she's the one that makes me stray from home And I know it, yeah I, I know it I live in two different worlds, two different worlds One that I may regret and, one that I can't forget Two different worlds, two different worlds Always, two different worlds, woah-oh (Two different worlds) no, I can't explain this emptiness No, I know that I can't go on like this Two different worlds, two different worlds Oh oh-oooh-ooh, oh oh-oooh-ooh (Two) it's two different worlds, I live in two different worlds (Different worlds) one that I may regret, and that one that I don't wanna forget (Two different worlds) two different worlds, but I can't live in both I know, I know, one world I must let go
She's Too Tough
(M. Jones — L. Gramm)
My girl, everybody says she's alright And I know, that she's more than alright Well, she's a hard headed woman, got a mean attitude I may have bitten off more than I can chew I get a little light headed at her altitude But she goes one step higher If I'm gonna spend the rest of my life With a woman like that, I better think twice She's too tough I said, she's too tough From the moment she wakes up Her mind is made up She's too tough, she's too tough My girl, she's got a way about her I know, I can never live without her She's a hard headed woman, so hard to please She's got her own way of dealing with me I'm out on a limb, I'm a cat up a tree But this tree's on fire I want that woman for the rest of my life I don't know if I'm up to payin' the price She's too tough I said that she's too tough From the moment she wakes up Her mind is made up She's too tough You hear, she's too tough Well I don't believe I'll ever leave her She's too tough, she's too tough Well if I'm gonna spend the rest of my life With a woman like her, I'd better think twice She's too tough I said, she's too tough From the moment she wakes up Her mind is made up She's too tough That's right, she's too tough If I do what I'm told She's gooder than gold to me She's too tough I said, she's too tough When push comes to shove This must be love She's too tough Yeah, she's too tough Well I don't believe I'd ever leave her, never leave her She's too tough, she's too tough