The Cars is a rock band that originated in Boston in 1976. They are known for driving innovations in synthesizer-infused pop music in the late 70s and 80s. They are one of the most recognized names in the New wave movement. The band’s classic configuration included Ric Ocasek (rhythm guitar, lead and backing vocals), Benjamin Orr (bass guitar, lead and backing vocals), Elliot Easton (lead guitar), and later joined by Greg Hawkes (keyboards) and David Robinson (drums). Ocasek is the group’s main songwriter and creative mind while sharing lead vocals with Orr.
Orr and Ocasek met for the first time in the 1960s in Cleveland, Ohio where they played in multiple bands together. They relocated to Boston during the early 1970s. Some of their collaborations were Milkwood and Richard and the Rabbits, which also had future Cars member Greg Hawkes. After trying out a few lineups, the definitive version of the band was formed in 1976 with Ocasek and Orr, Robinson, Hawkes and Easton. Robinson, who was with the Modern Lovers at the time, suggested the band name “The Cars” which stuck.
The Cars debuted performing on New Year’s Eve 1976 and gained momentum in the Boston music scene. They were gaining traction with a demo of “Just What I Needed” in 1977. This got them airplay which allowed them to sign with Elektra Records. Their self titled debut album The Cars was released in 1978 and was very successful. It contained hit singles “My Best Friend’s Girl” and “Good Times Roll.” The album had more than six million copies sold and spent 139 weeks on Billboard 200.
Throughout the 1980s, The Cars released a number of successful albums. “Candy-O” (1979) reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and produced the hit “‘Let’s Go.” Although Panorama (1980) was received more favorably than its predecessor, it showcased the band’s willingness to experiment. Their 1981 album Shake It Up returned to a more commercial sound, and the title track became their first Top 10 single.
The band’s commercial peak came in 1984 with Heartbeat City. The album included several hit singles like “You Might Think,” which won Video of the Year at the first MTV Video Music Awards, and “Drive,” which was their highest-charting single at the time. The tech-savvy image The Cars adopted, combined with their extravagant music videos, solidified their position in 1980s pop culture.
The Doors to Door album was released in 1987 and, after failing to meet previous album sales benchmarks, The Cars officially disbanded in 1988. Tragedy struck when founding member Benjamin Orr passed away from pancreatic cancer at 53. Regardless of these circumstances, bandmates Ocasek, Easton, Hawkes, and Robinson reunited in 2010, releasing Move Like This (2011). While the group decided against replacing Orr, Hawkes took over bass parts while Ocasek sang Orr’s vocals during a later tour.
In 2018, The Cars were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame where they Wei performed a brief set at the ceremony, and Scott Shriner from Weezer played bass. This was the final performance for the band. The iconic lead singer Ric Ocasek died in 2019 at the age of 75 and this brought to an end the storied legacy of the band.
During their entire career, The Cars greatly distanced themselves from other bands with their mixture of power pop, rockabilly, punk, and elements of synth-pop . Their music defined a generation and the catalog they left behind will always be revered in the worlds of rock and new wave.
Top Songs
- Just What I Needed – The perfect blend of rock guitar and pop melody.
- My Best Friend’s Girl – A catchy mix of rockabilly and synth-pop.
- Good Times Roll – Cool, laid-back vibes with smart production.
- Let’s Go – A bright, punchy anthem from Candy-O.
- Shake It Up – Their first Top 10 hit with dance-floor energy.
- You Might Think – A quirky love song with an iconic music video.
- Magic – Fun and upbeat, a staple of ‘80s radio.
- Drive – A haunting ballad that became their most successful single.
- Tonight She Comes – A slick pop-rock track from their Greatest Hits.
- Touch and Go – From their more experimental Panorama album.
Discography
- The Cars (1978)
- Candy-O (1979)
- Panorama (1980)
- Shake It Up (1981)
- Heartbeat City (1984)
- Door to Door (1987)
- Move Like This (2011)
Top Albums
- The Cars (1978) – Six million copies sold. One of the strongest debut albums in rock history.
- Candy-O (1979) – Solidified their stardom with a number 3 billboard peak.
- Shake It Up (1981) – More commercialized, featuring first top 10 hit.
- Heartbeat City (1984) – Their biggest commercial success with multiple hit singles.
Awards
- MTV Video Music Awards 1984:
- Video of the Year – “You Might Think”
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2018:
- Inducted as performers
- Rolling Stone Readers’ Poll 1978:
- Best New Artist
- RIAA Certifications:
- Multiple platinum and gold albums earned, including multi-platinum for The Cars and Heartbeat City.
Singles List
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| Just What I Needed | 1978 | The Cars |
| My Best Friend’s Girl | 1978 | The Cars |
| Good Times Roll | 1979 | The Cars |
| Let’s Go | 1979 | Candy-O |
| It’s All I Can Do | 1979 | Candy-O |
| Double Life | 1979 | Candy-O |
| Touch and Go | 1980 | Panorama |
| Don’t Tell Me No | 1980 | Panorama |
| Gimme Some Slack | 1981 | Panorama |
| Shake It Up | 1981 | Shake It Up |
| Since You’re Gone | 1982 | Shake It Up |
| Victim of Love | 1982 | Shake It Up |
| Cruiser | 1982 | Shake It Up |
| You Might Think | 1984 | Heartbeat City |
| Magic | 1984 | Heartbeat City |
| Drive | 1984 | Heartbeat City |
| Hello Again | 1984 | Heartbeat City |
| Why Can’t I Have You | 1985 | Heartbeat City |
| Tonight She Comes | 1985 | Greatest Hits |
| You Are the Girl | 1987 | Door to Door |
| Strap Me In | 1987 | Door to Door |
| Coming Up You | 1988 | Door to Door |
| Sad Song | 2011 | Move Like This |
| Blue Tip | 2011 | Move Like This |
| Free | 2011 | Move Like This |