"Agent Provocateur" is the fifth studio album by the British-American rock band Foreigner, released on December 14, 1984. The album was a big commercial success, going on to sell three million copies in the United States alone, and certifying three times platinum. It also topped the album charts in several countries, including the UK, New Zealand, and Norway.
The album is known for spawning one of Foreigner's biggest hits, the iconic power ballad "I Want to Know What Love Is." The song topped the charts in multiple countries around the world, including the UK and the US. Other notable songs from the album include "That Was Yesterday," "Reaction to Action," "Growing Up the Hard Way," and "Down on Love."
"Agent Provocateur" showcases the band's blend of rock and pop, infusing elements of hard rock and stadium rock with new wave influences. The album was produced by Mick Jones and Alex Sadkin. During this period, the band consisted of Mick Jones (lead guitar, keyboards, bass, and vocals), Lou Gramm (lead vocals, percussion), Rick Wills (bass, vocals), and Dennis Elliott (drums, backing vocals).
The album's cover design, featuring a woman in a sophisticated and slightly suggestive pose, was crafted by iconic fashion designer Bob Carlos Clarke, reinforcing the album's provocative name and image.
Overall, "Agent Provocateur" plays a significant role in Foreigner's discography and symbolizes the band at the peak of its commercial success.
