Guitar & Bass Tabs
Foreigner
Learn Foreigner's Guitar & Bass Style
Discover how Foreigner developed their signature guitar and bass sound, the techniques you'll encounter in their music, and the best lessons to begin your learning journey.
Foreigner burst onto the rock scene in 1976 when guitarist Mick Jones teamed up with New York session players to form a band that fused British precision with American hard rock energy. The late-70s lineup was anchored by savvy songcraft and a tight dual-guitar approach that helped produce a string of radio favorites, with their self-titled debut arriving in 1977 and giving the world Feels Like the First Time and Cold as Ice.
With Lou Gramm's soaring vocal power guiding a parade of chart-topping singles through the late 70s and early 80s, Foreigner became one of rock's biggest arena acts, delivering hits like Hot Blooded, Juke Box Hero, Double Vision, Urgent, and the enduring power ballad I Want to Know What Love Is. Their records sold more than 80 million copies worldwide, and their blend of punchy guitar hooks, bright keyboard textures, and memorable melodies helped define an era of radio friendly rock.
Even as personnel shifted, Mick Jones remained the creative compass, steering Foreigner through decades of touring and recording. The 9 Foreigner lessons on DadRock Tabs capture the riffs, chord progressions, and hooks that made these songs iconic and enduring for new generations of players.
🎸 Want to know what gear Foreigner used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
Watch the Lesson
Dirty White Boy
Foreigner
Feels Like The First Time
Foreigner
Urgent
Foreigner
Double Vision
Foreigner
Jukebox Hero
Foreigner
Hot Blooded
Foreigner
Hot Blooded
Foreigner
Playing Style
Foreigner's guitar approach centers on thick rhythm guitars that lock with the bass to drive the song forward, complemented by memorable melodic hooks and soaring lead lines. Mick Jones typically uses punchy power chords with bright, articulate tone, often palm muted in verses and open and ringing in choruses. The band’s dual guitar setup creates a wall of sound where rhythm parts underpin catchy melodies, while occasional harmonized leads provide color. Bassist Rick Wills anchors the low end with steady, groove-driven lines and subtle melodic turns that weave with keyboard parts. Common techniques across their catalog include power chords, palm muting, simple blues-inflected licks, hammer ons and pull offs on riffs, and expressive bends in solos. The result is an arena rock signature that rewards solid rhythm, clear melodic phrasing, and confident lead playing.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Mick Jones is closely associated with Gibson Les Pauls and Fender Stratocasters, typically run through tube amps for a punchy rhythm and bright lead tones. The band built a big, layered guitar sound with dual guitars and a strong keyboard bed, giving Foreigner its signature gloss. On stage, light chorus and overdrive thickened riffs without sacrificing clarity, while the bass (often a Fender Precision) anchors the groove. These gear choices underpin staples like Feels Like the First Time and Juke Box Hero, helping the band achieve their bright, melodic arena tone.
Why Learn Foreigner Songs?
Learning Foreigner songs offers a clear path into classic rock technique. The riffs and chord progressions emphasize tight rhythm, solid timing, and memorable hooks that translate to both guitar and bass playing. The catalog spans approachable entries with chunky power chords and catchy riffs to more expressive leads that reward clean phrasing and musicality. Working through these tracks builds essential rock skills like alternate picking, palm muting, bending, and dynamic stage-ready dynamics, while also teaching you how guitar lines can sit comfortably with keyboards to create a full-band sound.
Did You Know?
- 1Mick Jones has been the driving force and main songwriter behind Foreigner for most of the band’s history.
- 2Foreigner has sold over 80 million records worldwide, making them one of rock's best selling acts.
- 3The band delivered a string of enduring hits in the late 70s and early 80s, including Feels Like the First Time, Cold as Ice, Hot Blooded, Juke Box Hero, Double Vision, Urgent, and I Want to Know What Love Is.
- 4Mick Jones and the Foreigner sound are a blueprint for arena rock, with Jones remaining the constant member through decades of touring and recording.
7 Foreigner lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
Learn to Play Foreigner Guitar
Explore Foreigner guitar and bass lessons with a focus on riffs, rhythm parts, classic rock techniques, and practice-friendly video lessons.
Start Here
Begin with the most recognizable riffs and rhythm parts before moving into harder songs.
Techniques
Practice power chords, timing, picking control, bends, vibrato, and classic rock phrasing.
Next Step
Use the lessons below to build a practice path from easier songs to more advanced parts.
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