Music covers are a gamble. Honestly, most of them feel like karaoke with a bigger budget. But when Wynonna Judd released her version of I Want to Know What Love Is, she wasn't just singing a Foreigner hit; she was basically exorcising demons. It’s heavy. It’s soulful. It sounds like a woman who has actually been through the fire she’s singing about.
Lou Gramm’s original 1984 vocal with Foreigner is legendary. Nobody is disputing that. It’s a stadium anthem, complete with the New Jersey Mass Choir and that shimmering 80s synth-pop production. It’s polished. But Wynonna? She took that template and dragged it through the mud and the gospel pews of the American South.
The track appeared on her 2004 album What the World Needs Now Is Love. By that point, Wynonna wasn't just "the daughter from The Judds." She was a solo powerhouse who had survived the highs of 80s country stardom and the lows of very public family turmoil. You can hear that baggage in every note of I Want to Know What Love Is Wynonna.
The Gospel Roots of a Rock Classic
People forget that Foreigner’s version was already deeply rooted in gospel. Mick Jones wrote it during a late-night session where he felt a spiritual connection he couldn't quite name. When Wynonna stepped into the studio to record it, she leaned into that spirituality harder than almost any other artist who has attempted the song.
Think about her voice for a second. It has this gritty, mahogany texture.
It’s not just about hitting the high notes—though she does. It’s about the "growl." In her rendition of I Want to Know What Love Is, she uses a dynamic range that starts as a whisper and ends as a literal shout to the heavens. While Foreigner’s version feels like a plea, Wynonna’s feels like a demand.
She brought in a massive choir, but unlike the 1984 version, they aren't just background texture. They are in a call-and-response battle with her. This is Nashville-meets-Muscle-Shoals soul. If you listen closely to the bridge, the way she riffs around the melody isn't just technical skill. It's improvisation born from a lifetime of singing in church.
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Why 2004 Was the Perfect Time for This Cover
Context matters. In 2004, the music industry was in a weird spot. Country music was becoming increasingly "pop-ified." You had the Shania Twain era reaching its peak, and everything was shiny. Wynonna went the other way. She went bigger, louder, and more emotional.
The album What the World Needs Now Is Love was a statement of intent. She was covering classics because she wanted to remind people of what real singing sounded like. When she tackles I Want to Know What Love Is, she’s bridging the gap between her country fans and the adult contemporary audience that grew up on the original rock ballad.
She didn't change the lyrics. She didn't need to. "I've traveled so far to change this lonely life" hits differently when it's sung by a woman who had spent two decades under the intense heat of the spotlight. It felt autobiographical.
Breaking Down the Production Choices
If you're a bit of a gearhead or a production nerd, you’ll notice the differences in the mix immediately. Foreigner relies on that iconic, haunting synthesizer opening. It’s cold. It feels like a lonely street at 3:00 AM.
Wynonna’s version warms things up almost instantly.
- The acoustic guitar presence is much more pronounced, grounding it in her Nashville roots.
- The drums have a "thwack" to them that feels more organic than the gated reverb of the 80s.
- Her vocals are pushed so far forward in the mix you can practically hear her heart beating.
It's a risky move. When you put a vocal that high in the mix, there is nowhere to hide. You can’t autotune the soul into a performance like that. You either have it or you don’t. Wynonna, obviously, has it in spades.
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Some critics at the time thought it was overproduced. They called it "bombastic." But isn't that the point? Love—the kind of love the song is searching for—isn't a quiet, polite thing. It’s a life-altering, earth-shattering realization. Wynonna treats the song with the weight it deserves.
Comparison: Wynonna vs. Mariah vs. Foreigner
We have to talk about Mariah Carey’s 2009 version too, just for the sake of comparison. Mariah went for a multi-tracked, airy, angelic vibe. It’s beautiful, sure. But it lacks the "blood on the tracks" feel that Wynonna brings to the table.
- Foreigner: The blueprint. Atmospheric rock. Desperate and lonely.
- Mariah Carey: R&B precision. Whistle notes. Polished to a mirror finish.
- Wynonna Judd: Raw power. Country-soul. A spiritual breakthrough.
If you want to feel like you're floating, listen to Mariah. If you want to feel like you're driving through a rainstorm trying to find your way home, you listen to I Want to Know What Love Is Wynonna.
The Impact on Her Solo Career
This song served as a vital bridge for Wynonna. It proved she could handle massive pop standards without losing her identity. It’s hard to stay relevant in country music for decades. The genre is notoriously fickle, especially toward women as they age.
By claiming this song, Wynonna signaled that she wasn't going to be boxed into "classic country." She was a vocalist, period. This performance is often cited by fans as one of her definitive solo moments, right up there with "No One Else on Earth" or "Tell Me Why." It’s the sheer scale of it.
I remember seeing a live performance of this from around that era. She looked like she was possessed by the music. When that final chorus kicks in—the "Let's talk about love"—she isn't just singing lyrics. She’s testifying. It’s that ability to turn a secular rock song into a sacred experience that sets her apart from her peers.
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Common Misconceptions About the Song
A lot of people think this was a massive Billboard Hot 100 hit for Wynonna. It actually performed much better on the Adult Contemporary charts. Country radio was a bit confused by it. Was it country? Was it AC? Was it Gospel?
The truth is, it was all three.
Another misconception is that she changed the arrangement significantly. Structurally, it’s very close to the Foreigner original. The "innovation" isn't in the notes; it's in the delivery. She breathes where Lou Gramm held his breath. She slides into notes where he hit them clean. It’s a masterclass in interpretive singing.
Why You Should Revisit the Track Today
In an era of TikTok hits that are 15 seconds of catchy hooks and zero substance, a five-minute power ballad feels like a luxury. It’s a slow burn. You have to sit with it.
If you’re going through a rough patch, or if you’re just feeling a bit disconnected, put on the Wynonna version. Turn it up. Wait for the choir to come in around the three-minute mark.
It reminds us that music used to be about big emotions. Not "vibe" or "aesthetic," but actual, raw, messy human feelings. I Want to Know What Love Is Wynonna is a reminder that some songs are universal, but only a few singers have the gravity to pull them off.
Actionable Steps for Music Lovers
If you want to dive deeper into this specific sound or Wynonna's era of powerhouse vocals, here is how to navigate it:
- Listen to the "Live at the Venice" version: If you can find the live recordings from the early 2000s, the raw energy exceeds the studio track.
- Compare the "What the World Needs Now" album tracks: Listen to her cover of "Burning Love" on the same album to see how she handles Elvis versus Foreigner.
- Check the credits: Look at the session musicians on that 2004 record. You’ll find some of the best Nashville players who helped craft that specific "thick" sound.
- A/B Test: Play the Foreigner original and the Wynonna version back-to-back. Pay attention specifically to the ending. Notice how Foreigner fades out into a dreamlike state, while Wynonna ends on a definitive, grounded note.
The beauty of music is that it’s never finished. A song written in 1984 can find a completely new soul in 2004, and then find a new listener in 2026. Wynonna Judd didn't just cover a song; she gave it a new place to live.