Foreigner’s Run

Quick … What was the band Foreigner’s only number 1 hit on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart?

If you guessed “Waiting For a Girl Like You,” which appears above, you’re incorrect.  The correct answer is “I Want To Know What Love Is” which spent two weeks at the top in 1985.  However, “Waiting” has a dubious distinction of its own.  Exactly 30 years ago today, it ascended to the number 2 spot on the Hot 100, where it would stay for 10 straight weeks.  Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical” kept it out of the top spot for the first nine of those weeks.  Then, Daryl Hall & John Oates’ “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)” leaped over Foreigner to take the top spot for a one-week run.  In the process, “Waiting For a Girl Like You” set a record for most weeks at number 2 without going to number 1. 

In 2002-2003 Missy Elliott would tie Foreigner’s record when “Work It” spent ten weeks at number 2.  Meanwhile, in 1995-1996 Whitney Houston’s “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” held the number 2 for more weeks, with 11, but only after it spent a week at the top.

Do you think if “I Want To Know What Love Is” hadn’t gone to number 1, Foreigner would hold a grudge against Hall & Oates for that one week at number 1 with “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do),” which would have prevented Foreigner from ever reaching the top?