The singer in this video is Benjamin Orr. He died of pancreatic cancer at age 53. He got the diagnosis in April, 2000 but he continued to perform with his new band, Big People. He gave his last performance on September 27, and died on October 3, 2000. He was born in Lakewood, Ohio and his real name was Orzechowski. His friend called him Benny 11 Letters.
Benjamin Orr had it all…gifted musician, beautiful tone to his voice, cool looks, and great stage presence. He also happened to be a humble, nice guy. Rest peacefully, Ben. Gone too soon. 💔
The Cars has a lot of great songs to check out. "You Might Think", "Shake It Up", "My Best Friend's Girl", "Drive". They played a big part in the late 70's to early 80's sound in music as well as MTV.
So glad you discovered the Cars. They were new wave before there was new wave. Lol This song is from 1978 from their first album. Great band and album . Another song from the album is "My Best Friend's Girl Friend.'
I'm 58 and grew up with The Cars, a radio staple and one of the consistently best bands to drive to. The miles melt away when the cars are rockin' out in your car. Their style to me was always a mashup of garage rock, early punk and new wave.
Nobody else sounded like The Cars. They had a very unique sound. This song was from the late 70’s. Their heyday was from about 77- 85. I saw them live in 84. They are excellent live. Their sound live is as good if not better than the studio. Sadly Ben Orr, the lead singer on this song and bassist for the group passed away back in 2000 at the age of 53. His voice was awesome and his stage presence was irreplaceable. The other lead singer and chief song writer was Ric Ocasek, the tall skinny rythym guitar player. Unfortunately he also passed a couple years ago at the age of 75. Their music is timeless. It never sounds old. I listen often. They deservedly went into the R and R Hall of Fame in 2018. They have a whole boatload of songs to react to. Moving in Stereo, Drive, You Might Think are just a few. RIP BEN and RIC.
Completely true: they made these tight little power pop songs, and for around 10-15 seconds per tune, Elliot Easton would just jump out and melt your face with a perfectly-crafted guitar solo!
The way he could get into and out of a solo so fast was really cool. It’s tough to shift gears so fast like that. It’s a great skill to have as a pop guitarist where you’re trying to keep your songs under 4 minutes or so.
I can't even describe how great The Cars were. Maybe the best debut album in rock history. Great rabbit hole to go down. "You're all I got tonight" is my personal favorite.
Try "All Mixed Up" or "Bye Bye Love." The Cars were one of the progenitors of New Wave. They combined the classic rock sound with a little punk and synths. This is from their first album from 1978. In my opinion it's their best album, but it's part of the soundtrack of my youth so I could be a little biased. I like their second album (Candy O) a lot too, and their third (Panorama) is not bad either. After that they went a little too '80s pop for my taste, but you guys may enjoy it.
You're so correct in that The Cars were ahead of their time. This was from The Cars 1978 debut album "The Cars", which is incredible and if you guys ever decide to do do a full album reaction, I nominate this one for your first! Every song is amazing and most were big hits. One of the first of the New Wave / Synth-Rock bands that would set the tone for the 1980s. The song "Moving in Stereo" will blow your mind and it was even featured in the fantasy pool scene where Pheobe Cates emerges from a swimming pool in the comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Would love to see you guys react to that, too!
The Cars were one of the leading bands of "new wave" rock, starting in the late 70s and early 80s. The Cars are excellent, with many hits. The singer is saying he doesn't mind wasting time with her.
The Cars were a late 70's/Early 80's band. Ric Ocasek (guitar, Lead vocals) & Ben Orr (bass, lead vocals) paid their dues long before achieving any success. They met back in the 1960's in Cleveland, Ohio, and performed together in a number of different bands based in Cleveland, Columbus (Oh), Ann Arbor (Mi) before moving to Boston in the mid-1970's. By the time "Just What I Needed" was released (1978), on the Car's debut album, Ocasek was already 34, and Orr was 31. But all that experience paid off. SIX of the 9 tracks on their debut album became hit singles!
The Cars came out in 1977. Nice seeing the newer generations listening and appreciating some of the best rock n roll. Sounds like you were listening to a live version. Also, Elliot Easton on guitar, Gregg Hawkes on synthesizer and David Robinson on drums was the perfect fit with Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr. What a band! Rest in peace Benjamin and Ric. 🌹 Also, Benjamin Orr was the hottest rocker ever to walk this earth.
It wasn't a real live version. It was a promo video where the label wanted to pretend it was live for some reason. Studio track with crowd sounds pasted in. The band pantomiming a performance. Whatever, I still love it
"I don't mind you coming here, and wasting all my time." I always understood as being along the lines of "we don't have to go out, we don't have to have any real plans or do anything big, I just love having you around me while we're just wasting time, talking, laughing, whatever." And I've had a few girls in my life over the years who I felt that with, and it was just the best feeling in the world. We could just hang out, enjoy each other's company, and love the time we spent together. And, Lord knows, I seriously miss having someone like that in my life now.
There are a couple things that make The Cars iconic. They had TWO lead singers who also were two great songwriters and two underrated guitarists. They used the synth as an extra lead instrument instead being relegated to a rhythm instrument or taking all the leads and making the guitars only play rhythm. The interplay between the instruments and vocals, as well as the catchy pop vocals made them a fresh take on rock music in the Late ‘70s that had been kind of stagnant and not moved forwards whole late since about ‘68. Ben Orr (bass player) sings here, and has another great lead vocal in “Drive”. Rick Ocasek (rhythm guitar) sings wrote most of their songs and sings lead the majority of the time. I think you’ll like “My Best Friend’s Girl”, and “You’re All I’ve Got Tonight” from this same album. “Shake It Up” and “You Might Think” are great ‘80s hits, and have that 1980s vibe.
The Cars are a rabbit hole that is very deep. Thier first couple of albums are like pick a song, any song, and your going to dig it. One of my favorite bands and as for a song, Bye Bye Love is top notch.
Check out “Drive,” “Hello Again,” “Magic,” “Bye Bye, Love,” “It’s All I Can Do,” “My Best Friend’s Girl,” “Shake It Up,” and “You Might Think.” The Cars have such an amazing catalog! R.I.P. Benjamin Orr (vocals) and Ric Ocasek (guitar/vocals).
The Cars emerged on the scene in 1978 with a unique sound unlike anything anyone ever heard before.....they put out an amazing debut album....using heavy synthesizers and deep bass guitar riffs, they created a sound so unique, that you had to start playing that album at Track 1, and just let it go to the end of the last track.....then start it over again!
Wow! Finally!! One of my all time favs!! Saw them in concert 2 times .. What a Great Song! 🎶 - The Cars 🤩 (RIP Ric & Benjamin) 😢😢.. Their music lives on!🖤
Cars were an American rock band formed in Boston in 1976. Emerging from the new wave scene in the late 1970s, it consisted of Elliot Easton, Greg Hawkes, Ric Ocasek, Benjamin Orr, and David Robinson. Ocasek and Orr shared lead vocals, and Ocasek was the band's principal songwriter.
Elliot Easton - the guitar player -was the master of the killer 15 second solo! Cars had reduced the looong guitar solos of the decade to very short ones. The music style was termed "new wave" in the late 1970s - when the Cars first came out. This video is actually late 1970s but the band became even more popular in the 1980s.
This was 1978. The Cars were a couple years ahead of their time at first. Once new wave came along in the early 1980's, their music fit right in. A few other Cars tunes: •Moving In Stereo •It's All I Can Do •You're All I've Got Tonight •Cruiser {a deep cut} •Think It Over {deep cut} •My Best Friend's Girl And several others. I can completely understand you guys wanting to feel like you're at the beach. That's my favorite place to be, especially when there's a full moon out...
Great observation Amber. The Cars started in 1976 but were considered "New Wave" Their sound was different than typical 70s and even early 80s rock; and you hear that sound a lot more once you get into the 80s. Ric Ocasek is the lead singer, and passed away in 2017 I think. Many hits from that era, I'm sure many will be listed. My favorite Cars song is Magic from 1982.
@@BlackHatCinephile I always thought Ric Ocasek was the lead singer but I had heard Ben Orr sing as well. I've listened to them since the 80s and only just now found out Ric Ocasek wasn't singing most of the songs I thought he did.
I tortured all of my friends with a cassette that had those two albums, one on each side. It lived in my tape deck, and nobody was allowed to change it, LOL. After that, it was The Outfield/ Play Deep. 😂😂😂😂
You guys are better at this than you give yourselves credit for. This is indeed late 70’s and the ahead of their time part is a movement called “new wave” which began around this time. Good job! You’ve detected this sound with other bands part of New Wave like Duran Duran, Tears for Fears, Talking Heads, Go-Go’s, Bangles, Cutting Crew, A-Ha and even some of David Bowie. It’s all about the introduction of the synthesizer and that 80’s beat Amber keeps calling out!
I have heard so many 0s songs are a head of there times i would have at least a 1000 dollars If i got a dollar for every time i heard a 70s song was a head of there times, The 70s WERE FANTASTIC I WAS THERE
“You’re all I’ve got tonight”, “Let’s Go” and “Bye Bye Love” are my favorites… debut album was epic… they hit in the late 70’s but really was an 80’s institution.
The album that this came from was released in 78, but this particular blend of rock and new wave was all over the place in the late 70s and early 80s. And there were a lot of 90s bands that were influenced by bands from that era on the cusp of the two decades. Blondie, Devo, The Ramones, Talking Heads, and The Cars, are all part of the DNA of the new rock that dominated the 90s.
RIP Benjamin Orr and Ric Ocasik. You gave us such good music and the soundtrack of so many of our lives. I would recommend "Moving in Stereo", "Drive" and so many others. PS--- Ric Ocasik never did change his look. Thanks for doing a reaction to them. They were fantastic band.
What an awesome video! You are right! They were ahead of their era. They were total innovators. The Cars is one of my favorite bands ever. This song is in one of Rick Beato’s videos. I truly recomend it. It was released in 1979, and it really permeated to the 80s, so, it’s an unofficial “80s hit”, hehe! “I don’t mind you coming here, and wasting all my time”…. Yo need to remember, they were young! And having a girl home and listening to her instead of, I don’t know, homework, chores, going out, was perceived by older folks as “wasting time”. So, the line means the guy was really enjoying the company of the girl. He doesn’t mind coming to his place and listening her talk, hence “wasting his time”. It’s a really beautiful line.
The CARS came out while I was in high school in the late ‘70’s and were the great new sound of “ New Wave “ rock music. They were ahead of their time by far !
There are 2 singers in this band. Rik Ocasek (wearing dark sun glasses with black hair) and Ben Orr. Ben sings lead on this song and is the bass player.
The late, great beautiful Ben Orr! They were mid-‘70s….’80s…great band, check out Moving In Stere, My Best Friend’s Girl, All I Want is You, Shake It Up.
That weird intro to the song is where the host of the variety show (maybe Don Kirschner's Rock Show, maybe Burt Sugarman's Midnight Special) was introducing the band. Also, the band was playing that live for TV cameras, back in 1977 or so for all those people in the crowd, who are now in their 70s and 80s. Thanks for another super-cool reaction video, Rob Squad!!
The Cars were highly influential, in that they were one of the first rock bands to integrate keyboards as a main melodic instrument, something that became huge in the 80's. Your observation that they sound modern for their time is dead on. Next stops: "Moving in Stereo," "Drive," "You Might Think."
The Cars were definitely ahead of their time. It was 1978. They have so many great songs. Most are still on regular rotation on all different kinds of radio stations.
The Cars were basically credited with starting the 'New Wave' craze...they were definitely before their time. Drive is my favorite song! RIP Ben & Ric!
The late, great and beautiful Benjamin Orr on vocals!! The songs he took lead on are def my faves. If you dive deeper into their catalog, you will find many amazing songs. The Cars were very progressive for their time and very underrated. They are amazing!! Still listen to them every day.
Good video. Thanks. Since its your first time hearing this song you wouldn't have noticed its a little sped up. This song is a little slower, their voices aren't usually so high. If you were hearing it at normal speed it would sound more 70s.
CARS were from late 70's to mid 80's. When Benjamin Orr died (best vocalist/bassist in the band), they had to rely on Ric Ocasek for all the lead vocals which was a challenge but the CARS pulled it off with their progressive new wave musical style ... accentuated by the many keyboard sounds.
Recently Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame they were a distinctive band that heavily influnced bands into the 80's and 90's. Great song writing and their lead guitarist Elliot Easton has awesome guitar solos. Check out You're All I Got Tonight.
The Cars and several other "New Wave" bands hit the scene in 1979 early 80 and they completely revolutionized what what happening on the music scene in that time. We had not heard anything quite like them and their debut album was a huge success. One banger after another and each song led into the next. I highly recommend Moving in Stereo which leads right in to All Mixed Up. They are an incredible band..check them out more. SO glad to hear you will be doing Eruption soon. I'm so excited!!
The Cars were more in the punk rock explosion in the late 70s where The Cars, The Police, The Clash, Blondie, Taking Heads, Devo, Adam Ant, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Go-Gos, etc., each of them with very distinctive styles, were clumped in the catch all "Punk Rock" genre. A lot of them went on to found the New Wave as Punk Rock morphed to New Wave.
@@rap3208 The Cars were no where near Punk and their debut album was released in 1978. I can understand lumping them with those other bands and artists, but they didn't really sound like any of them. The only thing they all had in common was they were on the music scene at the same time. Their music could always be categorized as new wave tho, definitely not punk.
@@rap3208 this is true to and extent. It's mostly in retrospect that we can look at these artists and place them into a sub genre comfortably. I like to make note of what an artist is considered now for reactors, because they usually ask what genre they are listening to. Having said that, since The Cars have become known for being new wave, and playing a big part in the growth of new wave, I think that is what we should mention to people who have never heard them. That doesn't mean they were not influenced by punk, but ultimately, that wasn't their sound.
My personal fav. cars song is ‘Who’s going to drive you home’ Excellent. this song is new to me, but a very enjoyable listen. Ty for the post & your reactions to it.
"Let's go." That is the title of the next song you should listen to by this great band. I think it's their biggest hit. I was 14 years old when The Cars first hit the airwaves, (1978) and have been a fan since.
The song is about a guy that enjoyed being single, but this girl shows up and inserts herself into his life, which causes him to realize he actually needed to be in a relationship.
Loved The Cars back in the day. One of those few bands with their own original sound. Another of those is The Police. R. I. P. Benjamin Orr ( lead singer)
The song was released in 1978! The song was written by Ric Ocasek, The Cars' co-founder, though the lead vocal was handled by Benjamin Orr, the band's other co-founder. The Cars were a New Wave band, operating at the cutting edge of late '70s - late '80s music.
Any Cars song is a great choice. I know your a Stevie Nicks fan. Can I request Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty's " Stop dragging my heart around" or Stevie Nicks and Don Henley's " Leather and Lace". Thanks ya'll 💖
I was lucky enough to see them live twice, and Elliot Easton is definitely underrated as a guitarist. Try Let's Go, My Best Friend's Girl, Shake It Up, Good Times Roll, Bye Bye Love, Drive, Don't Cha Stop.
The song was so game changing, it was listed in Billboard Magazine when they didn't even have label. It simply stated ‘TAPE’. The Cars are ahead of their time…. After all, they invented New Wave!
Summer of '78 - a total revelation at the time! Love this band. Ben Orr (R.I.P.), great singer & bass player and Elliot F'ing Easton who plays THE BEST short & punchy guitar solos of all time. ANY song off their first 3 albums is a winner
My favorite Cars tunes are "My Best Friend's Girl" and "You're All I've Got Tonight". They were what was considered New Wave, which was a sort of lighter flavor of Punk. People who loved The Cars also tended to like the B-52s, Blondie, and a few other lesser known bands.
The Cars: Benjamin Orr (Bass, lead vocals), Rik Ocasik (keyboards, rhythm guitar, lead vocals), Elliot Easton (lead guitar), Dave Robinson (drums). Orr and Ocasik split lead vocals down the middle on every album, this is an Orr song. Elliott Easton is a criminally underrated guitarist.
You guys are right on both counts. Cars is a 70s 80s band, but they influenced a huge bunch of aughts artists. The Strokes, Interpol, Franz Ferdinand... and countless others.
"The Cars" were my group during the late 70's and 80's . Every album was great and there sound helped define a decade of music. The front men Benjamin Orzechowski , aka Benny 13 letters, aka Ben Orr, lead singer and bass. Ric Otcasek aka Ric Ocasek, rhythm guitar, and writer were the lead singers. May they both rest in peace. Their songs are timeless and will be played in any era. Too many great songs to single out but I will list " Drive" as their most popular single. Their catalog is huge, enjoy.
The band's secret sauce was lead guitarist Elliot Easton, one of the most underrated guitarists in rock history. He's underrated because he didn't shred or show off -- like George Harrison and Steve Cropper and all of the great session guitarists of the '60s, Easton tailored his solos to serve the song rather than his own ego. His solos on Cars songs were unfailingly melodic, versatile, and interesting.
Still waiting for Jeff Healey's Angel Eyes or As the Years go passing by. Would love to see your reactions to him. Went blind as a child and died of Cancer in his 40's. He's played with the best of them and is worth checking out.
Great requests Marina. I'll add "See The Light" from Night Music 1988. It's one of my favorite live performance videos on TH-cam. Hopefully they get introduced to him. Thanks!
Song from the self titled debut album "The Cars" which every single song on it is killer. 1978. They started the genre NEW WAVE with a greater role for synth and keyboards with guitar.
I remember listening to their first 2 albums along with Blondie. They called it new wave, I loved it!!! The transition from shoo be doo to Candy-O was really creative.
The Cars! When we were kids (early '80s) this was called new wave/ dance-punk. Very new new type of music back then. Especially with the synthesizers. This song was from the late '70s. The Cars were one of the pioneers of this style back then. Lots of great music from them during the '80s. too. They definitely were ahead of their time. We danced the hell out of their songs, lol.
Great song. So many interesting parts. The way the drummer flips the beat deliberately in a couple of places, hitting the snare on 1 and 3. The synth counter-melody in the second verse. The overdriven rockabilly guitar sound. Amazing tune.
Oh my gosh.............The Cars!! Truly awesome. Since You're Gone is the song that made me a fan, Just What I Needed is probably the best overall song they ever put out. But so much good music. I remember the day I heard that Ben Orr passed away, and now Ric is gone. Never again will a band like them come along.
The Cars were an 80's post punk, new wave band. This was a mix of the post punk jangly-ness sound of the guitars, and the chopping chords of punk, mixed with the beat and early synths of the New Wave movement. They had many hits during their run. They took the best from several rock styles and melded them into a commercially palatable package. It just so happened that they were good at doing that.
The singer in this video is Benjamin Orr. He died of pancreatic cancer at age 53. He got the diagnosis in April, 2000 but he continued to perform with his new band, Big People. He gave his last performance on September 27, and died on October 3, 2000. He was born in Lakewood, Ohio and his real name was Orzechowski. His friend called him Benny 11 Letters.
Rockstar 👊🏻
Benjamin Orr had it all…gifted musician, beautiful tone to his voice, cool looks, and great stage presence. He also happened to be a humble, nice guy. Rest peacefully, Ben. Gone too soon. 💔
Yup losing Ben was a great lost
Such a beautiful soul
I always thought he was gorgeous too!
@@shellzmoe8966 Me TOO
Yes I agree with you Ben was very good looking and a very talented musician and I love his voice of course.
He also had a songwriter like Ric Ocasek.
So thankful that I grew up during the 70's& 80's 🥰
Right?! 👍 ...me too!
60's was great as well...
I couldn't agree more
Amen to that, we were highly blessed!
😛Lol!😀
Elliot Eastman.. Nerdy Guitar God. Ben Orr...so dreamy and talented. RIP Ben and Ric.
First two Cars albums are absolutely untouchable, almost every song is a huge top 10 single! No joke.
Candy O is great !
panorama and candy o my least fav. from someone who played cars songs every day for nearly 10 years.
Heartbeat City didn't have a bad track on it.
I gotta listen to candy o more…but I love their first album! I was 3 in 1978 and already becoming their #1 fan
Every song off their debut album got radio play - which is unheard of.
“Moving in stereo” is my fave…..fast times at Ridgemont high nostalgia.
👊🏼
Ahh.... the greatest scene in cinematic history
a great memory for many of middle aged men :P
I'm sure one of the most paused scenes in VCR history.
“Hi, Brad!”
Their debut album The Cars in 1978, from which this was on, was one of the best debuts ever.
That album had so hits, it was like a greatest hits record!
That debut is astonishing. It's a greatest hits album.
Not a bad song on it; it's incredible the entire way through.
@@bigsteveiii9893
Agreed! The only one that tops that debut, is Boston's Boston.
@@bigsteveiii9893 Yep most of their biggest hits are from the 70s
The Cars has a lot of great songs to check out. "You Might Think", "Shake It Up", "My Best Friend's Girl", "Drive". They played a big part in the late 70's to early 80's sound in music as well as MTV.
So glad you discovered the Cars. They were new wave before there was new wave. Lol This song is from 1978 from their first album. Great band and album . Another song from the album is "My Best Friend's Girl Friend.'
"You Might Think" is an incredibly interesting video they should check out
I was about to suggest "You Might Think" too. Great song. Great record. Great video.
Bye Bye Love is another excellent song by The Cars.
Their first album was my favorite.
Best example of New wave next to Adam Ant stand and deliver is Candy-O by the Cars
Yes, they were definitely ahead of their time
Ahhh, my college years, when I wore ribbons in my hair, talked in my sleep and knew how to waste time-my anthem!
This song by The Cars was recorded in 1978. Listen to “Drive” by this band! It’s bloody awesome!!
Great video for that song….
Yes!
Lots of great Cars songs. My Best Friends Girl, Good Times Roll, You're All I've Got Tonight, Bye, Bye Love, Shake it Up. I'm sure there's lots more!
They would love the greatest hits album.
Moving in Stereo!!!
Good Times Roll is my favorite
Let's Go
The Cars - “Best Friend’s Girl” and “Touch and Go” are must listens. Both have epic guitar solos.
After they listened to Jessie’s Girl the other day, Best Friend’s Girl was exactly what I thought they needed to listen to next
Touch and Go is a must 👌
@@jcdvt1,
Same here
Best friend's girl is the opposite of Jesse's girl!
Magic!
I'm 58 and grew up with The Cars, a radio staple and one of the consistently best bands to drive to. The miles melt away when the cars are rockin' out in your car. Their style to me was always a mashup of garage rock, early punk and new wave.
Nobody else sounded like The Cars. They had a very unique sound. This song was from the late 70’s. Their heyday was from about 77- 85. I saw them live in 84. They are excellent live. Their sound live is as good if not better than the studio. Sadly Ben Orr, the lead singer on this song and bassist for the group passed away back in 2000 at the age of 53. His voice was awesome and his stage presence was irreplaceable. The other lead singer and chief song writer was Ric Ocasek, the tall skinny rythym guitar player. Unfortunately he also passed a couple years ago at the age of 75. Their music is timeless. It never sounds old. I listen often. They deservedly went into the R and R Hall of Fame in 2018. They have a whole boatload of songs to react to. Moving in Stereo, Drive, You Might Think are just a few. RIP BEN and RIC.
The always underrated guitarist Elliot Easton with a deft, skilled solo.
Oh, man! Elliot Easton is one of my favorite rock guitarists.
A few years back, I was praising Elliot on Twitter, and believe it or not he actually gave me a "like" on the tweet! I was stunned!
Completely true: they made these tight little power pop songs, and for around 10-15 seconds per tune, Elliot Easton would just jump out and melt your face with a perfectly-crafted guitar solo!
And he's a lefty too!✊
The way he could get into and out of a solo so fast was really cool. It’s tough to shift gears so fast like that. It’s a great skill to have as a pop guitarist where you’re trying to keep your songs under 4 minutes or so.
I can't even describe how great The Cars were. Maybe the best debut album in rock history. Great rabbit hole to go down. "You're all I got tonight" is my personal favorite.
That debut album was one of the few albums you could listen straight through and not hear a song that's not great
I have to say Boston’s album is my favorite but I do think The Cars was epic as well
if you think greatest debut album then you should listen to The Doors debut
@@jadedemerald ...also from Boston...must be something in that dirty water
Van Halen's debut album takes the cake imo.
Try "All Mixed Up" or "Bye Bye Love."
The Cars were one of the progenitors of New Wave. They combined the classic rock sound with a little punk and synths. This is from their first album from 1978. In my opinion it's their best album, but it's part of the soundtrack of my youth so I could be a little biased. I like their second album (Candy O) a lot too, and their third (Panorama) is not bad either. After that they went a little too '80s pop for my taste, but you guys may enjoy it.
Agreed! They actually really blew up in 1984.. and were huge in the early 80s when music videos got more popular!
Both together
First album was for sure the best. The first time I saw them was in Boston 1979.
One slight disagreement here -- Shake it Up from 1982 is absolutely fantastic. They jumped the shark with 1984's Heartbeat City, in my opinion.
All Mixed Up has that great sax solo for Amber.
You're so correct in that The Cars were ahead of their time. This was from The Cars 1978 debut album "The Cars", which is incredible and if you guys ever decide to do do a full album reaction, I nominate this one for your first! Every song is amazing and most were big hits. One of the first of the New Wave / Synth-Rock bands that would set the tone for the 1980s. The song "Moving in Stereo" will blow your mind and it was even featured in the fantasy pool scene where Pheobe Cates emerges from a swimming pool in the comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Would love to see you guys react to that, too!
'Let The Good Times Roll', 'Bye, Bye Love', and 'Touch and Go'....may favs out of many, many awesome CARS tunes.
The Cars were one of the leading bands of "new wave" rock, starting in the late 70s and early 80s. The Cars are excellent, with many hits.
The singer is saying he doesn't mind wasting time with her.
For me the Cars defined the 80’s, Drive is a must hear. RIP Ben and Ric….
Great band. But for me, the '80s were defined by Prince, Husker Du and Sonic Youth.
This song came out in 1978. The Cars were a big transition from 70s rock to 80s new wave style music
New wave came out in the 70s
The Cars were a late 70's/Early 80's band. Ric Ocasek (guitar, Lead vocals) & Ben Orr (bass, lead vocals) paid their dues long before achieving any success. They met back in the 1960's in Cleveland, Ohio, and performed together in a number of different bands based in Cleveland, Columbus (Oh), Ann Arbor (Mi) before moving to Boston in the mid-1970's. By the time "Just What I Needed" was released (1978), on the Car's debut album, Ocasek was already 34, and Orr was 31. But all that experience paid off. SIX of the 9 tracks on their debut album became hit singles!
The Cars came out in 1977. Nice seeing the newer generations listening and appreciating some of the best rock n roll. Sounds like you were listening to a live version. Also, Elliot Easton on guitar, Gregg Hawkes on synthesizer and David Robinson on drums was the perfect fit with Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr. What a band! Rest in peace Benjamin and Ric. 🌹 Also, Benjamin Orr was the hottest rocker ever to walk this earth.
It wasn't a real live version. It was a promo video where the label wanted to pretend it was live for some reason. Studio track with crowd sounds pasted in. The band pantomiming a performance. Whatever, I still love it
My favorite Cars songs are the ones Benjamin Orr sang. Drive is a damn near perfect song. RIP Benjamin.
Drive is one of my favorite songs ever , even to this day.
Drive is one of my favorite songs of the 80s!
Ah yes, Benjamin Orr...
Sadly, the only ones left are Elliot Easton and Greg Hawkes.
Me too! 💜
"I don't mind you coming here, and wasting all my time." I always understood as being along the lines of "we don't have to go out, we don't have to have any real plans or do anything big, I just love having you around me while we're just wasting time, talking, laughing, whatever." And I've had a few girls in my life over the years who I felt that with, and it was just the best feeling in the world. We could just hang out, enjoy each other's company, and love the time we spent together. And, Lord knows, I seriously miss having someone like that in my life now.
You Might Think and Tonight She Comes are great Cars songs from the mid-later 80s. Watch those and love them too. :-)
Truth. My fav kinda people.
...just hanging out is great!!
Amen brother...
This came out right on the cusp between the '70s and '80s. They were big in both decades.
There are a couple things that make The Cars iconic. They had TWO lead singers who also were two great songwriters and two underrated guitarists. They used the synth as an extra lead instrument instead being relegated to a rhythm instrument or taking all the leads and making the guitars only play rhythm. The interplay between the instruments and vocals, as well as the catchy pop vocals made them a fresh take on rock music in the Late ‘70s that had been kind of stagnant and not moved forwards whole late since about ‘68. Ben Orr (bass player) sings here, and has another great lead vocal in “Drive”. Rick Ocasek (rhythm guitar) sings wrote most of their songs and sings lead the majority of the time. I think you’ll like “My Best Friend’s Girl”, and “You’re All I’ve Got Tonight” from this same album. “Shake It Up” and “You Might Think” are great ‘80s hits, and have that 1980s vibe.
The Cars are a rabbit hole that is very deep. Thier first couple of albums are like pick a song, any song, and your going to dig it. One of my favorite bands and as for a song, Bye Bye Love is top notch.
Check out “Drive,” “Hello Again,” “Magic,” “Bye Bye, Love,” “It’s All I Can Do,” “My Best Friend’s Girl,” “Shake It Up,” and “You Might Think.” The Cars have such an amazing catalog! R.I.P. Benjamin Orr (vocals) and Ric Ocasek (guitar/vocals).
Yes, sad that both singers are dead.... No reunions! They would have made a fortune!
The Cars emerged on the scene in 1978 with a unique sound unlike anything anyone ever heard before.....they put out an amazing debut album....using heavy synthesizers and deep bass guitar riffs, they created a sound so unique, that you had to start playing that album at Track 1, and just let it go to the end of the last track.....then start it over again!
Right. Still a distinct sound.
When you consider this song is over 45 years old yet timeless it just proves why the Cars were so ground breaking
Wow! Finally!! One of my all time favs!! Saw them in concert 2 times .. What a Great Song! 🎶 - The Cars 🤩 (RIP Ric & Benjamin) 😢😢.. Their music lives on!🖤
Cars were an American rock band formed in Boston in 1976. Emerging from the new wave scene in the late 1970s, it consisted of Elliot Easton, Greg Hawkes, Ric Ocasek, Benjamin Orr, and David Robinson. Ocasek and Orr shared lead vocals, and Ocasek was the band's principal songwriter.
Elliot Easton - the guitar player -was the master of the killer 15 second solo! Cars had reduced the looong guitar solos of the decade to very short ones. The music style was termed "new wave" in the late 1970s - when the Cars first came out. This video is actually late 1970s but the band became even more popular in the 1980s.
This was 1978. The Cars were a couple years ahead of their time at first. Once new wave came along in the early 1980's, their music fit right in.
A few other Cars tunes:
•Moving In Stereo
•It's All I Can Do
•You're All I've Got Tonight
•Cruiser {a deep cut}
•Think It Over {deep cut}
•My Best Friend's Girl
And several others.
I can completely understand you guys wanting to feel like you're at the beach. That's my favorite place to be, especially when there's a full moon out...
@music-two-my-ears ~ Thank you...👍
New wave started in the MID 70s And this song came out in 1978 The 80s were not even around yet
Great observation Amber. The Cars started in 1976 but were considered "New Wave" Their sound was different than typical 70s and even early 80s rock; and you hear that sound a lot more once you get into the 80s. Ric Ocasek is the lead singer, and passed away in 2017 I think. Many hits from that era, I'm sure many will be listed. My favorite Cars song is Magic from 1982.
Actually, The Cars had two lead singers. On this track, Ben Orr sang.
Ben Orr sings this one. Most of them, actually.
Benjamin Orr is the lead singer on this song and actually most of The Cars songs. Unfortunately he died in 2000, way too young
RIP He died 2019
@@BlackHatCinephile I always thought Ric Ocasek was the lead singer but I had heard Ben Orr sing as well. I've listened to them since the 80s and only just now found out Ric Ocasek wasn't singing most of the songs I thought he did.
The first album is a masterpiece there's not one bad song on the whole thing. Candy O is almost perfect too.
I tortured all of my friends with a cassette that had those two albums, one on each side. It lived in my tape deck, and nobody was allowed to change it, LOL. After that, it was The Outfield/ Play Deep. 😂😂😂😂
@@PhoenixRisen63 😂
Candy-O was the first album I ever bought.
Candy-O is an underrated gem for sure.
AGREED!!!
You guys are better at this than you give yourselves credit for. This is indeed late 70’s and the ahead of their time part is a movement called “new wave” which began around this time. Good job! You’ve detected this sound with other bands part of New Wave like Duran Duran, Tears for Fears, Talking Heads, Go-Go’s, Bangles, Cutting Crew, A-Ha and even some of David Bowie. It’s all about the introduction of the synthesizer and that 80’s beat Amber keeps calling out!
I have heard so many 0s songs are a head of there times i would have at least a 1000 dollars If i got a dollar for every time i heard a 70s song was a head of there times, The 70s WERE FANTASTIC I WAS THERE
100% 80s sound before the 80s.
Japan is superior to imitators Duran.
“You’re all I’ve got tonight”, “Let’s Go” and “Bye Bye Love” are my favorites… debut album was epic… they hit in the late 70’s but really was an 80’s institution.
youre all ive got tonight. they made you love them. i was into rock, arena rock, and quickly fell in love them cause they are so fucking good.
For a slower Cars tune, listen to “Drive”
It’s probably my fave from them…
Mine too
I agree, their best song.
Same here, it's really different from any of their other hits.
Drive was an amazing song.
Drive is up there with the best of the 80's songs that's for sure!
The album that this came from was released in 78, but this particular blend of rock and new wave was all over the place in the late 70s and early 80s. And there were a lot of 90s bands that were influenced by bands from that era on the cusp of the two decades. Blondie, Devo, The Ramones, Talking Heads, and The Cars, are all part of the DNA of the new rock that dominated the 90s.
RIP Benjamin Orr and Ric Ocasik. You gave us such good music and the soundtrack of so many of our lives. I would recommend "Moving in Stereo", "Drive" and so many others. PS--- Ric Ocasik never did change his look. Thanks for doing a reaction to them. They were fantastic band.
Moving in Stereo!!
What an awesome video! You are right! They were ahead of their era. They were total innovators. The Cars is one of my favorite bands ever. This song is in one of Rick Beato’s videos. I truly recomend it. It was released in 1979, and it really permeated to the 80s, so, it’s an unofficial “80s hit”, hehe!
“I don’t mind you coming here, and wasting all my time”…. Yo need to remember, they were young! And having a girl home and listening to her instead of, I don’t know, homework, chores, going out, was perceived by older folks as “wasting time”. So, the line means the guy was really enjoying the company of the girl. He doesn’t mind coming to his place and listening her talk, hence “wasting his time”. It’s a really beautiful line.
I was a young new waver. Punk, hard rocking bad dude. Oh and dancing fool!!!
Me too. Dance like no one is watching
The CARS came out while I was in high school in the late ‘70’s and were the great new sound of “ New Wave “ rock music. They were ahead of their time by far !
🎯
There are 2 singers in this band. Rik Ocasek (wearing dark sun glasses with black hair) and Ben Orr. Ben sings lead on this song and is the bass player.
Totally remember when this came out. They were way ahead of their time.
Couldn't agree more!
Benjamin Orr seemed like such a nice guy. Such a loss. when i was 16 I loved this band.
The Cars formed band 1976 so did their first gigs in late 70s, they were popular in 80s when was little.
The late, great beautiful Ben Orr! They were mid-‘70s….’80s…great band, check out Moving In Stere, My Best Friend’s Girl, All I Want is You, Shake It Up.
Moving In Stereo is a must-listen from them, just for how the sound moves.
This was Junior High school for me so late 70’s. They have great songs in the 80’s too. Drive, You Might Think, Shake it Up, Good Times Roll, Magic.
Good times roll was 1978 NOT the 80s ,,
That weird intro to the song is where the host of the variety show (maybe Don Kirschner's Rock Show, maybe Burt Sugarman's Midnight Special) was introducing the band. Also, the band was playing that live for TV cameras, back in 1977 or so for all those people in the crowd, who are now in their 70s and 80s. Thanks for another super-cool reaction video, Rob Squad!!
they got there first. they pretty much birthed new wave. that first album. living in stereo, all of it, amazing. well, them and elvis costello.
The Cars were highly influential, in that they were one of the first rock bands to integrate keyboards as a main melodic instrument, something that became huge in the 80's. Your observation that they sound modern for their time is dead on.
Next stops: "Moving in Stereo," "Drive," "You Might Think."
The Cars were definitely ahead of their time. It was 1978. They have so many great songs. Most are still on regular rotation on all different kinds of radio stations.
1978, babies.
And when this album came out it was a breath of fresh air.
They were an 80's band. Back when MTV played music.
What does he need? Someone to feed (his story, narrative) Someone to bleed (someone to cry in sympathy for his troubles, failures)!
My take.
The Cars were basically credited with starting the 'New Wave' craze...they were definitely before their time. Drive is my favorite song! RIP Ben & Ric!
Them and Devo. Definitely.
The late, great and beautiful Benjamin Orr on vocals!! The songs he took lead on are def my faves. If you dive deeper into their catalog, you will find many amazing songs. The Cars were very progressive for their time and very underrated. They are amazing!! Still listen to them every day.
One of my favorites by The Cars is Moving In Stereo, absolutely worth a listen
Its my absolute favorite! I actually seen the music in colors and laughed so hard. Will never forget nor regret ♡
Good video. Thanks. Since its your first time hearing this song you wouldn't have noticed its a little sped up. This song is a little slower, their voices aren't usually so high. If you were hearing it at normal speed it would sound more 70s.
CARS were from late 70's to mid 80's. When Benjamin Orr died (best vocalist/bassist in the band), they had to rely on Ric Ocasek for all the lead vocals which was a challenge but the CARS pulled it off with their progressive new wave musical style ... accentuated by the many keyboard sounds.
Recently Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame they were a distinctive band that heavily influnced bands into the 80's and 90's.
Great song writing and their lead guitarist Elliot Easton has awesome guitar solos. Check out You're All I Got Tonight.
The Cars and several other "New Wave" bands hit the scene in 1979 early 80 and they completely revolutionized what what happening on the music scene in that time. We had not heard anything quite like them and their debut album was a huge success. One banger after another and each song led into the next. I highly recommend Moving in Stereo which leads right in to All Mixed Up. They are an incredible band..check them out more. SO glad to hear you will be doing Eruption soon. I'm so excited!!
The Cars were more in the punk rock explosion in the late 70s where The Cars, The Police, The Clash, Blondie, Taking Heads, Devo, Adam Ant, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Go-Gos, etc., each of them with very distinctive styles, were clumped in the catch all "Punk Rock" genre. A lot of them went on to found the New Wave as Punk Rock morphed to New Wave.
@@rap3208 The Cars were no where near Punk and their debut album was released in 1978. I can understand lumping them with those other bands and artists, but they didn't really sound like any of them. The only thing they all had in common was they were on the music scene at the same time. Their music could always be categorized as new wave tho, definitely not punk.
@@dipsydoodle7988 back then there were no sub genres, there is just a genre and everybody is lumped in it even though they are poles apart in style.
@@rap3208 this is true to and extent. It's mostly in retrospect that we can look at these artists and place them into a sub genre comfortably. I like to make note of what an artist is considered now for reactors, because they usually ask what genre they are listening to. Having said that, since The Cars have become known for being new wave, and playing a big part in the growth of new wave, I think that is what we should mention to people who have never heard them. That doesn't mean they were not influenced by punk, but ultimately, that wasn't their sound.
They blew our minds when this came out in the late 70’s! Completely original and fresh then.
The Cars is one of my favorite bands. I'm still sad Ben and Rik have passed away.
My personal fav. cars song is ‘Who’s going to drive you home’ Excellent. this song is new to me, but a very enjoyable listen. Ty for the post & your reactions to it.
Yup late late 70's and there sound was new wave for the era...
"Let's go."
That is the title of the next song you should listen to by this great band. I think it's their biggest hit.
I was 14 years old when The Cars first hit the airwaves, (1978) and have been a fan since.
Great song but no, not their biggest hit.
Btw the clapping and yelling of 'let's go' is from a 1962 surf rocker also called "Let's Go" by The Routers.
I think Drive was the biggest hit
Why listen to Let's Go? It's almost the same damn song.
@@crashburn3292 Really...why listen to music?
I was 8 maybe 9 when this song was new. Been a life long fan of this band
The song is about a guy that enjoyed being single, but this girl shows up and inserts herself into his life, which causes him to realize he actually needed to be in a relationship.
Loved The Cars back in the day. One of those few bands with their own original sound. Another of those is The Police. R. I. P. Benjamin Orr ( lead singer)
most underrated group of all time. still have all of my vinyl of them. every album .
The song was released in 1978! The song was written by Ric Ocasek, The Cars' co-founder, though the lead vocal was handled by Benjamin Orr, the band's other co-founder. The Cars were a New Wave band, operating at the cutting edge of late '70s - late '80s music.
Any Cars song is a great choice. I know your a Stevie Nicks fan. Can I request Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty's " Stop dragging my heart around" or Stevie Nicks and Don Henley's " Leather and Lace". Thanks ya'll 💖
Leather and Lace was also on my recommend list. Terrific song!
More Fleetwood Mac
Thanks
yeah, those are both great
Love your choices!!!
I was lucky enough to see them live twice, and Elliot Easton is definitely underrated as a guitarist. Try Let's Go, My Best Friend's Girl, Shake It Up, Good Times Roll, Bye Bye Love, Drive, Don't Cha Stop.
Lucky!!!!!!
Love the Cars !!! Drive is one of my faves
The song was so game changing, it was listed in Billboard Magazine when they didn't even have label. It simply stated ‘TAPE’. The Cars are ahead of their time…. After all, they invented New Wave!
"Moving In Stereo", "Let's Go", "You Might Think", "Bye Bye Love". A whole list of bangers! Definitely one of my favorite bands. Great reaction
Summer of '78 - a total revelation at the time! Love this band. Ben Orr (R.I.P.), great singer & bass player and Elliot F'ing Easton who plays THE BEST short & punchy guitar solos of all time.
ANY song off their first 3 albums is a winner
You forgot Rik Ocasek, gangly vocalist and guitar player, who married a supermodel, and Greg Hawkes on keyboards.
Yup - I really like the guitar work in Candy-O. Great attack by Easton
My favorite Cars tunes are "My Best Friend's Girl" and "You're All I've Got Tonight".
They were what was considered New Wave, which was a sort of lighter flavor of Punk. People who loved The Cars also tended to like the B-52s, Blondie, and a few other lesser known bands.
The Cars: Benjamin Orr (Bass, lead vocals), Rik Ocasik (keyboards, rhythm guitar, lead vocals), Elliot Easton (lead guitar), Dave Robinson (drums). Orr and Ocasik split lead vocals down the middle on every album, this is an Orr song. Elliott Easton is a criminally underrated guitarist.
Don't forget Greg Hawkes, their keyboardist (synthesizer god.)
You guys are right on both counts. Cars is a 70s 80s band, but they influenced a huge bunch of aughts artists. The Strokes, Interpol, Franz Ferdinand... and countless others.
I saw them live at Dallas Reunion Arena 1982. I was 15 and had been to many concerts. This one completely blew me away.
"The Cars" were my group during the late 70's and 80's . Every album was great and there sound helped define a decade of music. The front men Benjamin Orzechowski , aka Benny 13 letters, aka Ben Orr, lead singer and bass. Ric Otcasek aka Ric Ocasek, rhythm guitar, and writer were the lead singers. May they both rest in peace. Their songs are timeless and will be played in any era. Too many great songs to single out but I will list " Drive" as their most popular single. Their catalog is huge, enjoy.
The band's secret sauce was lead guitarist Elliot Easton, one of the most underrated guitarists in rock history. He's underrated because he didn't shred or show off -- like George Harrison and Steve Cropper and all of the great session guitarists of the '60s, Easton tailored his solos to serve the song rather than his own ego. His solos on Cars songs were unfailingly melodic, versatile, and interesting.
Still 70’s Classic Rock coined New Wave at the Time And they have Soo Many Good Songs. Also 2 Very Good Lead Singers
Still waiting for Jeff Healey's Angel Eyes or As the Years go passing by. Would love to see your reactions to him. Went blind as a child and died of Cancer in his 40's. He's played with the best of them and is worth checking out.
Yes!!!.. And he actually played with Stevie Ray Vaughn!!! So maybe that will give them a little more incentive.!!
Great requests Marina. I'll add "See The Light" from Night Music 1988. It's one of my favorite live performance videos on TH-cam. Hopefully they get introduced to him. Thanks!
Moving in Stereo ('78) and Drive ('84)...stellar! The Cars are a master class in New Wave / Post Punk of the late 70's and early 80's
One of my favorite bands. The Cars are amazing. RIP Benjamin Orr. Check out more of the Cars and play Benjamin Orr's solo Stay the Night
Song from the self titled debut album "The Cars" which every single song on it is killer. 1978. They started the genre NEW WAVE with a greater role for synth and keyboards with guitar.
I remember listening to their first 2 albums along with Blondie. They called it new wave, I loved it!!! The transition from shoo be doo to Candy-O was really creative.
@@alexandervasel6845 Still waiting for Jay & Amber to to check out Rapture.. They reacted to Blondie's "Tide is High" is bit back
No one has mentioned 'Moving In Stereo' yet. One of the most fun headphone songs ever....
The Cars! When we were kids (early '80s) this was called new wave/ dance-punk. Very new new type of music back then. Especially with the synthesizers. This song was from the late '70s. The Cars were one of the pioneers of this style back then. Lots of great music from them during the '80s. too. They definitely were ahead of their time. We danced the hell out of their songs, lol.
The 70s were a head of there years period
Define dance punk
@@NYUMIR Dancy punk music.
@@joesmith8725 is it like an electronic version of power pop?
@@NYUMIR Yes! Thats another good way of explaining it. Cool.
Great song. So many interesting parts. The way the drummer flips the beat deliberately in a couple of places, hitting the snare on 1 and 3. The synth counter-melody in the second verse. The overdriven rockabilly guitar sound.
Amazing tune.
Oh my gosh.............The Cars!! Truly awesome. Since You're Gone is the song that made me a fan, Just What I Needed is probably the best overall song they ever put out. But so much good music. I remember the day I heard that Ben Orr passed away, and now Ric is gone. Never again will a band like them come along.
This was released in 1978, but The Cars had huge hits in the 80s too.
Love The Cars. Their debut album was HUGE back in the day and this was played at every house party 🥳 💓👍
"You Might Think" by The Cars is terrific. "My Best Friend's Girl" and "You're All I've Got Tonight" are great, too
Don't forget the Cars awsome summer jam Magic. I always crank the radio when that song comes on. Perfect summer song!
Great reaction. The Cars had a lot of radio friendly hits. You should check out their song “Double Life” .
The Cars were an 80's post punk, new wave band. This was a mix of the post punk jangly-ness sound of the guitars, and the chopping chords of punk, mixed with the beat and early synths of the New Wave movement. They had many hits during their run. They took the best from several rock styles and melded them into a commercially palatable package. It just so happened that they were good at doing that.
A 70s band FORMED IN 1978 ,,,,,,
Did you 4get the Cars in the 70s were they are from lol