The Cars were the most successful New Wave act in the 1980’s. On six albums that were recorded and released between 1978 and 1987 they produced no less than 16 Billboard top 100 singles and every album they released ranked in the top 30 of the Billboard album charts. Here are the 10 songs from The Cars that I would recommend to anyone who has not heard their brilliance.
“Just What I Needed”
The Cars (debut album)
Elektra, February 1978
The pivotal first big hit from their self-titled debut album, “Just What I Needed” forever set in stone what we would recognize as The Cars “sound”. Its all there, from Ben Orr’s crooning David Bowie-esque vocal style to the spacey Greg Hawkes keyboard sound.
“Magic”
Heartbeat City
Elektra, March 1984
On The Cars 2nd most popular album “Magic” is the perfect summer road trip anthem song. The interplay between Ben Orr’s bass, Elliot Easton’s guitar, and the keyboards of Greg Hawkes that forms the verse of the song is simply amazing.
“Drive”
Heartbeat City
Elektra, March 1984
Their most popular song by far, it would not be an exaggeration to say that probably every female between 1984 and 1995wanted to be asked to dance by their current crush with this song playing in the background of their junior high or high school dance/prom.. It also marked another popular video that received a ton of airplay on MTV. The video which had been directed by Timothy Hutton was where Ric Ocasek and future wife Paulina Porizkova were introduced to one another. They were married in 1989.
“You Might Think”
Heartbeat City
Elektra, March 1984
Absolutely the most iconic song from The Cars, due in large part to how well the video for “You Might Think” performed on MTV at the time. The video was directed by Alex Weil, and would eventually go on to win “Video of the Year” at the first annual MTV video music awards. In the video Ric Ocasek and the lead actress meet repeatedly in bizarre situations such as the bathtub, the bathroom mirror, in a lipstick container, and of course the most iconic moment buzzed by a fly sporting a Ric Ocasek head.
“Moving in Stereo”
The Cars (debut album)
Elektra, February 1978
“Moving in Stereo” has the odd distinction for being perhaps the most popular song by The Cars that was never officially released as a single. The song was written by Ric Ocasek and Greg Hawkes and features Ben Orr on vocals. It segues smoothly without interruption into the final track on the album “All Mixed Up”. Its became an iconic song in pop culture when it was used as the backing track during a musical montage in the film FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH featuring a scantily clad Phoebe Cates on a diving board and lecherous, self-pleasuring Judge Rhinehold.
“My Best Friend’s Girl”
The Cars (debut album)
Elektra, February 1978
The second single released off of their debut album after “Just What I Needed” sounds very much like a combination of 50’s rockabilly and late 70’s new wave. The hand claps are fun and the guitar solo at the two minute mark is a delicious throwback to Chuck Berry.
“Shake it Up”
Shake it Up
Elektra, November 1981
The only track off of their third album to make this list although “Since You’re Gone” gave it a good running, “Shake it Up” is another one of those perfect songs to play while cruising with your friends on a Friday night.
“Don’t Tell Me No”
Panorama
Elektra, August 1980
The first thing you notice when you listen to this song is the striking guitar line that follows the first verse. Amazing tone, over a sparkling atmosphere brought to life by the keyboards of Greg Hawkes. Its the kind of song you’d imagine in a lizard lounge somewhere. The perfect song for a drink with the guys while reminiscing about the past.
“Hello Again”
Heartbeat City
Elektra, March 1984
The fourth track released following the phenomenally successful “You Might Think” and “Drive” the song is a catchy reprise of their sound on “Good Times Roll” from their debut album. The song featured a video that was directed by the late Andy Warhol and was cast with an unknown Gina Gershon that was quite controversial. The director’s cut, which was not seen in the U.S. on broadcast television, featured a fair amount of nudity, toy cars rolling around exposed nipples, and the subcultural underpinnings of the New York Pop Art scene. The video was made even more unusual with the inclusion of an extended remix version of the song rather than the standard album fair. It was clearly an exploration in excess by both Andy Warhol and the band at a time when the band was pretty much the most successful act on MTV.
“Let’s Go”
Candy-O
Elektra, June 1979
Let’s Go” is an infectious song about a young man who has the hots for a fellow teenage girl whose every advance is turned down with the statement “I like the nightlife baby…”, implying that the boy is simply not old enough and cannot procure the things she enjoys (presumably drugs and alcohol. It remains the highest ranked single by The Cars in Canada when it peaked at #5. It ranked #6 in Australia and was subsequently their highest ranked song there as well. The song is a perfect blend of The Cars sound and the hook from an instrumental song of the same name by The Routers in 1962.
The Cars (self-titled album) at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002GWB?ie=UTF8&tag;=deadpoetsocio-20&linkCode;=as2&camp;=1789&creative;=390957&creativeASIN;=B000002GWB
Heartbeat City at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002H1T?ie=UTF8&tag;=deadpoetsocio-20&linkCode;=as2&camp;=1789&creative;=390957&creativeASIN;=B000002H1T
Panorama at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OB61JI?ie=UTF8&tag;=deadpoetsocio-20&linkCode;=as2&camp;=1789&creative;=390957&creativeASIN;=B001OB61JI
Shake it Up at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001200K02?ie=UTF8&tag;=deadpoetsocio-20&linkCode;=as2&camp;=1789&creative;=390957&creativeASIN;=B001200K02
Candy-o at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00124FRYM?ie=UTF8&tag;=deadpoetsocio-20&linkCode;=as2&camp;=1789&creative;=390957&creativeASIN;=B00124FRYM
