1978 - June - The Cars - The Cars

“The Cars” by the Cars This was one of the first albums Rob bought after he got his first Stereo System. The Cars are from Boston and clearly evolved out of the NEW WAVE trend. Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr met in Cleveland, Ohio in the 1960s, and released this hit-filled debut album in June of 1978. It reached 18 on the Billboard Charts, and the band was rewarded by Rolling Stone Magazine fans as “Best New Artist” that same year. Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr take turns on vocals on these synthesizer-heavy tracks. The Cars was a name selected for because it was easy to spell, hard to forget, and appeared at the top of the alphabet, which made it an easy group to find in the record store.
In April 2018, The Cars were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, we hope you enjoy these picks and “like the way she dips.”
“Moving in Stereo”
One of the coolest ways to use stereo, this song has an eerie quality to it, that you just can't ignore. Sung by bassist Benjamin Orr, you may remember it from “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” as Judge Reinhold character’s dreams about Phoebe Cates’ removing her top.
“Bye Bye Love”
Originally performed, and recorded by Ocasek, Orr and Elliot in their first band, “Cap’n Swing,” this is Ocasek singning.
“My Best Friend's Girlfriend”
The band Nirvana actually performed “My Best Friend’s Girl” at their final concert on March 1, 1994 in Munich.
“It’s All Mixed Up”
Ric Ocasek’s “icy-cool” vocals garnered the attention of most fans, but Benjamin Orr’s voice adds a warm quality you can’t ignore.
Keyboardest, Hawkes exchanged the keyboard for the SAX — the only one in the Cars’ library.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “Diff'rent Strokes” by The Edwin Davids Jazz Band
Gary Coleman's vehicle to fame was this family TV show.
STAFF PICKS: “Hot Child in the City” by Nick Gilder and Time Machine
Wayne shares this hit off Gilder's second solo album -- a popular one at the skating rink. The lyrics are much darker than they appear at first, as it focuses on exploitation of girls in what would come to be known as sex trafficking.
“Baby Hold On” by Eddie Money
This hit is from Eddie Money's self-titled debut album, and one of Brian's favorites. The album went to number 37 on the strength of this song and "Two Tickets to Paradise."
“Kill the King” by Rainbow
Bruce shares how Ronnie James Dio and Ritchie Blackmore teamed up in this early heavy metal band. Blackmore tended to be a critic of the band members, and this would be Dio's last album with Rainbow before he went on to take over front man duties for Ozzy in Black Sabbath.
“Imaginary Lover” by Atlanta Rythm Section
“Imaginary Lover” is a 1978 hit single by the Atlanta Rhythm Section, the first release and greatest hit from their album Champagne Jam. If you play it at 45 Speed, it sounds like Stevie Nicks. According to Rolling Stone Magazine, “An FM station accidentally played the Atlanta Rhythm Section album cut “Imaginary Lover” at the wrong speed – 45. Favorable calls began to light up the switchboard, so the disc jockey let it play. Speeded up, the song sounded unmistakably like Fleetwood Mac, with Stevie Nicks warbling lead vocals.”
“News quickly reached Nicks in Los Angeles. She rushed out to buy the record and played it at the wrong speed. “I got chills,” says Stevie. “It sounds exactly like something I’d sing, the way I’d sing it. I even played it for Christine [McVie], mixed in with some other demos for the new album. She complimented me on it.”
LAUGH TRACK: “Feels So Good” by Chuck Mangione
This popular jazz instrumental hit from the summer of 1978 takes us out for this What the Riff session.