The visionaries of New Wave keep passing away. Earlier this year we lost Mark Hollis of Talk Talk, now - Ric Ocasek of The Cars. Not the way I'd chose to continue this blog, but here we are.
The Cars are a strange case. Very unconventional for the US music scene of the time, they debuted - and almost immediately broke through, going almost from strength to strength from then on for years and years. Quite why did they do so good is somewhat puzzling - probably because for all their technological sheen and strange lyrics Ric wrote irresistible melodies and hooks, - but the fact is they became the first US "New Wave" bands to succeed and therefore opened the gates for compatriots and wavers from abroad. But they also managed not to get trampled by successors and, having made on of the biggest-selling debut albums of the time, went on to make a couple blockbusters more ("Heartbeat City" and "Greatest Hits"). But strangeness continued - having conquered North America and Australasia (that had lots in common music tastes-wise), they had a hard time planting elsewhere, only really hitting the big time with their deathless ballad "Drive", one of the biggest all-electronic hits of the decade. They needn't have worried, of course - being big in America is a position of immense strength, but still on the outside they weren't nearly as famous as their peers Blondie. Peculiar time for the darlings of the US FM radio stations - most of them sold millions at home but managed only a hit or two internationally. Styx, REO Speedwagon, Survivor, Foreigner - the list continues. Probably there was something particularly "American" about them that prevented the world domination.
Still, thanks to Ric's vision, The Cars were able to appeal both to radio, usually reticent about that whole "New Wave" thing (especially home-grown, for some reason), and forward-looking circles, and moved with the times unscathed until 1987, when even the giants started to lose grip. Carrier-wise and commercially both the band and Ric himself never recovered, but they remained dearly loved by both fans and public, and induction in the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame became the final ... of their achievements. Final, as it happens, in more ways than one.
So rest in peace, Ric, and thank you (and The Cars) for the music!
The Cars
(Download and open in Microsoft Word for the bestest viewing experience😊)
The Cars are a strange case. Very unconventional for the US music scene of the time, they debuted - and almost immediately broke through, going almost from strength to strength from then on for years and years. Quite why did they do so good is somewhat puzzling - probably because for all their technological sheen and strange lyrics Ric wrote irresistible melodies and hooks, - but the fact is they became the first US "New Wave" bands to succeed and therefore opened the gates for compatriots and wavers from abroad. But they also managed not to get trampled by successors and, having made on of the biggest-selling debut albums of the time, went on to make a couple blockbusters more ("Heartbeat City" and "Greatest Hits"). But strangeness continued - having conquered North America and Australasia (that had lots in common music tastes-wise), they had a hard time planting elsewhere, only really hitting the big time with their deathless ballad "Drive", one of the biggest all-electronic hits of the decade. They needn't have worried, of course - being big in America is a position of immense strength, but still on the outside they weren't nearly as famous as their peers Blondie. Peculiar time for the darlings of the US FM radio stations - most of them sold millions at home but managed only a hit or two internationally. Styx, REO Speedwagon, Survivor, Foreigner - the list continues. Probably there was something particularly "American" about them that prevented the world domination.
Still, thanks to Ric's vision, The Cars were able to appeal both to radio, usually reticent about that whole "New Wave" thing (especially home-grown, for some reason), and forward-looking circles, and moved with the times unscathed until 1987, when even the giants started to lose grip. Carrier-wise and commercially both the band and Ric himself never recovered, but they remained dearly loved by both fans and public, and induction in the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame became the final ... of their achievements. Final, as it happens, in more ways than one.
So rest in peace, Ric, and thank you (and The Cars) for the music!
The Cars
(Download and open in Microsoft Word for the bestest viewing experience😊)
Nb. Discography
