Covering a classic is basically a trap. You either copy it too closely and everyone calls it "uninspired," or you change it too much and get accused of "ruining a masterpiece."
In 2009, Mariah Carey decided to step right into that minefield.
She took on Foreigner’s 1984 power ballad, I Want to Know What Love Is, for her album Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel. It wasn't just a casual cover. It was a massive, gospel-infused, R&B-layered swing at one of the biggest songs in history. Honestly, people still argue about whether she nailed it or overdid it. But if you look at the stats—and the sheer vocal gymnastics involved—the story gets way more interesting than just a "remake."
Mariah Carey I Want to Know What Love Is: The Reinvention
Most people remember the Foreigner original for its synthesizers and Lou Gramm’s gritty, soaring rock vocals. It’s an "arms-in-the-air" arena anthem. Mariah, working with producers like Tricky Stewart and The-Dream, went in a completely different direction.
She slowed it down. She made it breathy.
The song starts with that signature Mariah whisper-tone, making it feel more like a private diary entry than a public declaration. While the original feels like a plea to the universe, Mariah’s version feels like a conversation with herself. It’s intimate. Then, the track starts to swell. By the time you get to the bridge, she brings in a full gospel choir—featuring James "Big Jim" Wright—and the whole thing explodes.
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It’s less of a rock ballad and more of a "church-on-Sunday" spiritual experience.
Why the Brazil Obsession?
Here is something wild that most US fans totally miss: Mariah Carey I Want to Know What Love Is is a literal titan in Brazil.
In the United States, the song did okay. It peaked at #60 on the Billboard Hot 100 and hit the top 10 on the Adult Contemporary charts. Respectable, but not a "Vision of Love" level smash. But in Brazil? It was a phenomenon.
- It stayed at number one for 27 consecutive weeks on the Brasil Hot 100 Airplay.
- It broke the record for the longest-running #1 song in the country’s history.
- It was featured on the soundtrack of a massive telenovela called Viver a Vida.
If you walk into a cafe in Rio today and play this song, people will know every single word. It’s arguably one of her biggest international hits, even if it’s treated as a "deep cut" or a "polarizing cover" in Western music circles.
The Yankee Stadium Visuals
The music video, directed by the legendary Hype Williams, is actually pretty sentimental. Mariah filmed it at the old Yankee Stadium right before it was demolished.
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She’s wearing her hair in those big, signature 1990s-style curls—a total Easter egg for the "Lambs" (her fans) who missed her debut-era look. There’s no complex plot. It’s just Mariah, a microphone, a choir, and shots of real people in the stands looking emotional. It captures that specific feeling of 2009-era New York.
Hype Williams is known for fish-eye lenses and neon colors, but for this, he kept it surprisingly grounded. Well, as grounded as you can be while standing in the middle of a baseball diamond with a 40-person choir.
What Critics (and Foreigner) Actually Said
Critics were... split.
Some, like Bill Lamb from About.com, called it a "reminder of just how formidable Carey’s talents are." They loved the vocal coloring. Others thought it was too safe. Mick Jones, who wrote the song for Foreigner, actually liked it. He said she captured a "certain emotional thing."
Vocally, the song is a beast.
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- Lower Register: She spends a lot of time in her "alto" range during the verses, which is where her voice sounds richest.
- The Belts: The climax of the song features some heavy-duty belts that most singers wouldn't even attempt.
- The Whistle Note: Of course, she had to. She ends the song with a flurry of whistle notes that act as a sort of "vocal signature" on the track.
Common Misconceptions About the Track
People often think this was just a label-mandated cover to save the album after "Obsessed" had mixed results.
Not really.
Mariah has always been a fan of 80s power ballads. She’s covered everyone from Journey to Def Leppard. She views these songs through a gospel lens. To her, "I Want to Know What Love Is" isn't a rock song; it's a prayer. When you listen to the arrangement, you can hear her trying to bridge the gap between pop-R&B and the spiritual music she grew up with.
It’s a "breakup record" in many ways, which is how Slant Magazine described the parent album. The song fits that narrative of someone who has been through the wringer and just wants something real for once.
Actionable Takeaways for the "Lambily"
If you're revisiting this era of Mariah's career, don't just stop at the radio edit. To really appreciate what she did with this song, you have to look at the "hidden" versions.
- Listen to the Remixes: The remixes released in October 2009 take the song into the dance club. It sounds weird on paper, but the "Chus & Ceballos" remix actually works if you like deep house.
- Watch the X-Factor UK Performance: If you want to see her really "sing" it, find the 2009 live performance. It’s a great example of her late-2000s vocal control.
- Compare the Stems: If you're a music nerd, try to find the acapella version. You can hear the layers of her own background vocals—she often records 20-30 tracks of herself to get that "wall of sound" effect.
The truth is, Mariah Carey I Want to Know What Love Is isn't trying to replace the original. It's a tribute. It’s what happens when one of the greatest vocalists of all time decides to "take a song to church." Whether you prefer the 80s grit or the 2000s gloss, you can't deny the impact.
If you're making a playlist for a long night of "feeling your feelings," put the Foreigner version first, then follow it up with Mariah’s. The transition from rock angst to gospel hope is the best way to experience the song’s evolution.