Ric rarely lets you down with the good songs. Here's another magnificent gem. He really is in a dimension beyond. His level of consistency in producing great material is astonishing! 💥💛
I miss this dude so much had a great sense of timing rhythm and melody. He was always in the background but he always drove his band. There have never been many people who could do that. He was special. We will never see someone like him again.
Not sure if you even read these posts Ric but I'm gonna try to tell you something here anyway. Your music has been like a Tonic from God to me sense about 1979. Everything from the first Cars album to now, has been as if you were Gods personal musician gift to me. I realize how weird that must sound. But I honestly don't know any other way to put it. I have Partied, dated, worked out, cruised, danced, or just sit and listened to your music for over 35 years. I feel the same way about Benjamin, may God rest his soul. I realize it's been a long time, but I'm very sorry for your loss, I know you and he were close. I'm sure you've heard this countless times, but your music connected with me as if you were always standing there beside me, telling me to "Keep on Laughing". Even when things were going terrible. Or telling me, "Let the good times roll" when I was partying. Then asking me, are you "Looking for love" while I was dating. Or telling me, hey, go tell her "You are the Girl" when I met my wife. Thanks Ric........ For Everything........
+David Gillaspie Sr Awesome post, sir. I seem to be replying to everyone on this page, but so what, because at least 98% of Cars fans are all really cool and nice people. The Cars and their solo albums were all very potent music to grow up on. I was 13 in 1984, when I heard "Hello Again" and had to buy _Heartbeat City._ After hearing that, I had to have all their albums, and ever since then, I have to listen to all their albums at some point every year! I don't think it's TOO much of an exaggeration to say the Cars were maybe the 1980s version of the Beatles. They were at least two years ahead of the mainstream (in terms of synthpop and post-punk). They pushed the boundaries of their original style. They defied expectations,. They often had puzzling lyrics. They have songs you recognize from the first two seconds or less ("Let's Go" and "Drive" spring to mind). They had two unique and powerful lead singers, and in the studio they did intricate harmony overdubs. They tried to create sounds nobody had ever heard before (especially _Heartbeat City._) They had big hits right from the start. But their albums were sequenced perfectly, like progressive rock. Both guys and girls could appreciate them. And furthermore, they had great fashion sense. They always looked noticeably different from one album to the next. A lot of 80s band copied their looks. Oh, and they also made some of the greatest videos of all time. _Change No Change, The Lace,_ and _Niagara Falls_ were great solo albums by Elliot, Benjamin, and Greg. My favorite Ocasek solo albums are _This Side of Paradise, Beatitude,_ and _Troublizing.._
nothadnotbad I would rate _This Side of Paradise_ as Ric's best (and most Cars-like) solo album, but followed closely by _Beatitude_ and _Troublizing._ All three of them are very different, but damn good albums from start to finish.
Ben Culture I agree with you that This Side of Paradise is his best by far. I listen to it all the time and love every song on the CD. This is my order: This Side of Paradise, Quick Change World, Beatitude, Nexterday, Fireball Zone, and Troublizing. I don't have Negative Theater, but I read that half of that release is also on Quick Change World. I hope to get it soon.
Mark Sacher I'm glad someone rates _Quick Change World_ so high, because it really didn't do much for me at first listen, and when the cassette(!) broke, I never replaced it. I imagine if I really want to complete my collection, I'll just order an import of _Negative Theater._
Great record. Always nice to listen to. Ric was a master of making the complete song. This song and every song on this album are such a pleasure to listen to. So many song writers of today could really learn a lot by listening to this album -- rhythm, melody, structure, production.... Such a great talent. We miss you, Ric!
Positive vibes man..... Well, you got you when you're coming down Oh, you got you when you want to find it Oh, you got you when you crumble down Oh, you got you when you can't define it You gotta keep on laughing, laughing Laughing in the dark Oh, keep on laughing, laughing Laughing in the dark Better keep on laughing, laughing Laughing in the dark Better keep on laughing, laughing 'Til you find that spark You got a feeling, well, it's up to you Sometimes you want to run away Sometimes you think you do But you never had a dream like this before And you don't want to ask for more Sometimes you leave a mark Before you know the score Oh, baby, keep on laughing, laughing Laughing in the dark Better keep on laughing, laughing 'Til you find that spark Well, it's up to you to turn this night 'Cause everybody needs some love To feel alright Gotta keep on laughing, laughing Laughing in the dark Gotta keep on laughing, laughing Laughing in the dark Better keep on laughing, laughing Laughing in the dark Better keep on laughing 'Til you hit that mark Gotta keep on laughing Keep on laughing Laughing 'til you find that spark Gotta keep on laughing Keep on laughing Laughing, laughing in the dark
Ric was awsome with the cars . I have so much in my collection I think I only bought the one solo album with true to you on it . The guy had some top shit solo stuff as well . I'm recording this stuff on to MP3 . RIP Ric Sydney Australia 🦘🦘🦘 9/1/2024😊😊😊
You're such a beautiful person, Ric. I love your message. The Cars is my favorite band of all time, and every time I hear them, it's summertime and I'm 16 again. Your music is a huge gift to the world. Beautiful video... my first time hearing this song.
starlovestarlight Not every musician is a great person, but as far as I've seen, Ric Ocasek, and the rest of the Cars, are totally class acts, all the way. I don't think Ric exactly _enjoyed_ interviews, and he tended to give short, cryptic answers, but I've never seen him be anything but polite, gracious, and somewhat funny. And this song is so inspiring and exciting!
LowEarthOrbitPilot I'm sure you're right. It's the only band-biography I know of, and I read my original copy to pieces, as a teenager, before I bought a new one. They should do an expanded edition covering all that has happened since the _Heartbeat City_ era, where the original left off.
Superb work by Ric, but I have to admit that when I listen to one on his solo albums, part of me always anticipates that the next track will feature Ben's voice...
Yes, but he's got three of the other four Cars members helping out on this album. Greg Hawkes is on most of his solo albums, Benjamin Orr sings backup harmonies, and Elliot Easton appears for the guitar solo to "True to You".
Ric, you're so amazing! When you put on shades it is unbelievable!! YOU are the person that is perfect for wearing sunglasses! If that makes sense haha Amazing Thank you for the upload.
Great opening song of a great album! It was the very first song I played when I bought the stereo equipment for my car back in '86. I still remember that drive.
While I applaud having this original video uplink to RU-vid, the song just isn't the same when you cut the Missile Command sound effects to set up the eerie opening and have Ric hit you with that solid guitar wall. Now that I've seen the video, I'm going to look up the original album cut.
at minute 1:39 Cindy Crawford appears? or is it another very similar model? Greetings from Argentina, excellent video, excellent song How I love the 80s !!!
