Songwriter and guitarist Mick Jones has famously stated that the song felt like a gift from a "higher force," written at 3:00 a.m. during a deeply introspective period following several failed relationships.

Lead singer Lou Gramm was initially hesitant about the song, fearing its soft, gospel-tinged sound would move the band too far away from their rock roots. Chart Success & Impact

Released in November 1984 as the lead single from Foreigner's fifth album, Agent Provocateur , "" remains one of the most iconic power ballads in music history. The Story & Inspiration

It is consistently ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the [500 Greatest Songs of All Time](https://www.rolling stone.com).

The song has been reimagined by numerous artists, most notably Mariah Carey , whose 2009 version broke records in Brazil by staying at #1 for 27 consecutive weeks. Other covers include versions by Tina Arena and Wynonna Judd . Quick Facts

The song became Foreigner's biggest hit, reaching #1 in both the U.S. and the UK. In the U.S., it famously ended the six-week reign of Madonna's "Like a Virgin" in February 1985.

Seeking an emotional "universal feeling," Jones added the New Jersey Mass Choir to the track. Legend has it that the choir only nailed the perfect take after gathering in a circle to say the Lord’s Prayer.