Poll: What is your pick for the most perfect debut album of the rock era?

@catherine6653

Жыл бұрын

Boston

@stephenbrown4211

Жыл бұрын

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

@Bacchus69

Жыл бұрын

Are You Experienced? - Hendrix. Licence to Ill - Beastie Boys. Grace- Jeff Buckley. Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath. Up to Here - Tragically Hip. Acadia-Daniel Lanois. Music From the Big Pink - The Band. You're a Women, I'm a Machine - Death From Above 1979.

@Bacchus69

Жыл бұрын

@@catherine6653 Awesome Pick!

@catherine6653

Жыл бұрын

@@Bacchus69 Thanks 😊

One of the main reasons why the Cars' backing vocals are so brilliant is because they're usually led by Ben Orr who had the best voice in the band by far. He even leads backing vocals on tracks where he also sings lead - which is tricky to replicate live. Fortunately Elliot & Greg had pretty good voices too. Ben is one of a minority of performers whose live performances were as good or better than recorded versions. An extraordinary talent.

@theturquoisedream9244

8 ай бұрын

Absolutely.

@youaskedtarot

6 ай бұрын

If Orr had sung every lead, the albums and records would have done much better. I remember we all thought Rick could not sing (we being us 20 somethings back then).

@gypsyrain369

3 ай бұрын

Very well Said ! i MISS BEN & RICK

@jujumulligan43

Ай бұрын

I totally agree. Benjamin Orr contributed so very much more than he was credited for. I know he and Ric were buddies... but when Ric grew less appealing and Ben got more attractive, I have to wonder about ego here...?😮

@MasseyVF

Ай бұрын

​@jujumulligan43 I think you are right about ego. Despite his obvious talent, I think Ric was envious of Ben. Fairly natural, given Ben's extreme good looks, I guess. Ric controlled the videos & it's often hard to find Ben in them - even on Drive, Ben is in the background in B&W despite being lead singer. And Ric wouldn't even consider putting any songs Ben wrote on their albums which was, I think, what hurt Ben badly & damaged their friendship. But they had made so much amazing music together with the other incredibly talented guys in the Cars.

When The Cars album came out, I felt this is the music I've been looking for. At 58, it still is.

@clifftanton8385

3 ай бұрын

You touch my❤ met them in,,79 at a record store I was ,14 58 now love them now every bit as I do now peace out bro

@clifftanton8385

3 ай бұрын

Bye Bye love love that song first time I heard them blew me away

@ramonbriones-wg8mh

3 ай бұрын

yes me too the Cars ist album was a big hit rigth here in manila Philippines missing ric & benjie I'm 56 now still listening all cars album esp.moving in stereo

@abovethagamerollinz4776

2 ай бұрын

God bless🙏🏼

I know Rik Ocasek was the "voice" of The Cars, but I'm more partial to Benjamin Orr's voice; "Drive" is beautiful and timeless.

@ProfessorofRock

Жыл бұрын

They both sang. Loved their distinct voices.

@davejohnson6702

Жыл бұрын

drive is definitely one of my favorite songs of all time

@timothyharrison8953

Жыл бұрын

I was hoping someone would make a comment like this. Drive is my favorite song by the Cars. Would be good song for the Professor to explore,

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

They both were great in different ways.

@April-pw5ub

10 ай бұрын

Ocasek was the look but to me Ben was the sound.

I was the assistant engineer on Tonight She Comes at Electric Lady and saw the recording process from start to finish. Observing how the bg vocals were recorded was a trip. They did indeed all sing the root note then triple it. Then move on to the second and third notes. The timbre of all their voices on every part is astounding. Produced by the band with Mike Shipley who was Mutt's engineer on Pyromania, Hysteria and Heartbeat City. I really feel fortunate to have witnessed this. Roy Thomas Baker showed up at the end to lend an ear to the remix of "I'm Not the One" for the greatest hits album. Sometimes I pinch myself and say "Yeah it isn't a dream. I was really there..." Thanks for the great video!!!

@stephenstevens6573

Жыл бұрын

You are a lucky man! There is much to be said about engineers being an additional member of a band. Any artists recording is vastly dependent on the engineers skill and taste. People talk about the band members working with the producers to mix a track just the way they want it. But let me say(as someone who spent time in studios) they can only mix what the engineer gives them. Vastly underrated part of the process. Did you hear the Tom sound on Best Friends Girl? You don't hear much attention paid to the drum sound with some notable exceptions. Good on ya, bro. Jealous

@JB-ti7bl

Жыл бұрын

Def Leppard is another band with underappreciated harmony vocals.

@TheSJK2

Жыл бұрын

Wow! What an experience! One of my favorites is Magic. I would have loved to see that one through.

@TheSJK2

Жыл бұрын

@@stephenstevens6573 I never noticed the Tom sound until now! Thanks

@KingBeevr

Жыл бұрын

Mike Shipley's loss stung. Engineers never get the credit they deserve, but fans of rock and roll in the '80s and '90s can thank Mike Shipley for a lot of great music.

The Cars eponymous release is one of those very rare perfect albums. Not so much as a wasted note on it. And considering it’s a debut album it’s just astounding. Those songs will never get old.

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

It always keeps me alert and pumped up.

@TheGoofyBuddha

Жыл бұрын

Until Guns N' Roses Appetite for Destruction, I thought the Cars eponymous debut album was the greatest debut album ever. Still 2nd best in my view. But, as the professor points out well in this video, the Cars eponymous debut album was pretty much the result of nearly a decade of collaboration between the two band leaders, and years with the others. It was less a debut album than most young new bands who've just joined together.

@clintlandrum9498

10 ай бұрын

I actually bought their first album bc I thought it was slightly better than one of their "best of's." I've never done that before.

Great show. I can share a brief story. Was August 20, 1978 and was going to see Kansas perform at The Cow Palace in San Francisco. Opening act The Cars, and was blown away by the sound of the band, funny lyrics, and just the unique vibe of this band. What started that day, has been a lifetime of The Cars concerts. I believe at least 9 or 10 over the years. A very memorable last one was unfortunately without Ben, but at The Riviera in Chicago on May 18th, 2011. Ben's bass guitar lit up on stage, and the band could barely hear themselves as the audience sang so loud every lyric. It was awesome. I attended with two of my younger brothers who had picked up on The Cars as the younger siblings, and to this day are Cars fans. Forever The Cars.

"Stay the night" is a great solo track from Benjamin Orr. Hauntingly good, really

@kittensanddaisies5615

Жыл бұрын

Agree totally. I love Stay the Night. Actually i love the entire album, " The Lace" and listen to it often.

The Cars had such a Pure, Clean Sound. It was like nothing else on the radio at the time. How could anyone not love it?

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

There had to be something wrong with your ears if you didn’t like them.

@rogerkeime1925

Жыл бұрын

They subscribed to the less is more theory. And had 2 great lead vocalists. Ben Orr sang many of the hits. His voice was the Cars.

im 20 years old and avoid modern music this album is a 10/10 for me. one of the best 70s albums of all time !!

Loved the Cars from the first time hearing them. As newlyweds my wife and I wore out our Candy-O cassette on a road trip in June 1980. You really needed good music on a trip at 55 MPH! R.I.P. to my wife Rhonda, Ben and Ric.

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

Nothing better than the Cars on a road trip. 🚙

@SirWrecksy

Жыл бұрын

love that album just as much as their first....Night Spots my favorite

You're right! Absolutely a greatest hits album. Love The Cars! Love, Love Benjamin Orr ❤❤😘😘🔥🔥

That Album is amazing! I love how Bye Bye Love, Moving in Stereo and All Mixed Up were so close together it was almost like 1 song. When I bought this album in 1978 I cherished it.

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

Those are my favorites on the album.

@wilburrrrr742

Жыл бұрын

I know what you mean. I felt the same way about the Candy-O album with Double Life, Shoo Be Doo, and Candy-O. Unfortunately, you can never get that continuity of flow from a jukebox. Just a big gaping hole where the transition should be. Maybe I just got too used to hearing the entire albums. 🤷

@mastercheif117ize

Жыл бұрын

Yes! My fav tracks

I was stationed in Iceland when their first album came out. The guy in the barracks room next door purchased their album at the Navy Exchange. He took it back to his room and listened to it for about a day or two. I could hear it through the wall and I liked the rhythm and the energy of the songs. After a couple of days of silence I asked him at the command what he though about the album. He said it sucked and didn't like it. He was going to toss it and I stated I would take it. No problem with the switch and I listened to it through my stereo and headphones. Every song on the album was great and I was astounded that he would not like it. About 6 months pass, and the top song were running up the charts and was played often on AFRTS at the base in Iceland. I got a knock at the door and he asked to have to album back. I could have said no but I actually gave it back to him as I had a new one. After getting that album, I was and have been a die hard CARS fan for life.

@davebellamy4867

Жыл бұрын

Nice story. I was going to say I bet he could hear it through the wall when you were playing it - but you played it through headphones!

I love The Cars. Whilst I like Ric’s vocals, I have always leaned towards liking The Cars songs where Ben sang lead. Having said that, I love this song. So sad to lose Ben so young. I remember him every time I hear him sing and thus he lives forever in our hearts and minds.

@foxbodyblues6709

10 ай бұрын

About 2 hours ago I was saying my respects and leaving a guitar pick at Ben Orr’s headstone. His final resting place is St Patrick’s cemetery near Thompson, Ohio. I have visited the site several times when I am working near Lake Erie, NE of Cleveland.

@bruce2357

9 ай бұрын

I believe Ric even said when a song needed a real singer he assigned it to Ben.

@zookytar

2 ай бұрын

It would have been great to have a Ben vocal version of "Touch And Go"

I was a kid when my older brother bought this album. Despite my limited musical knowledge, I knew right from the first note of Let the Good Times Roll that I was listening to something totally different. Still an incredible album.

The Cars are timeless. RIP to a beautiful human, Benjamin Orr! His voice still gives me chills when I hear these songs.

This is a great album. There is not a bad song on this record. I still listen to this album on a regular basis. It is hard to believe it has been 43 years since its release. Your channel rocks!

@ProfessorofRock

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

It doesn’t even sound like its time.

@oceanbluebandflorida

Жыл бұрын

👍😎👍 Our bands’ cover clip of this great song (me on lead vocals) -> kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZqOtm6azZa3geJM.html

The Cars were awesome! Elliot Easton's solos were always so melodic and tasty; he's definitely underrated.

@ProfessorofRock

Жыл бұрын

For sure.

@MrOctober44

Жыл бұрын

He is

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

I love his solos, some of the quirkiest and most original.

@tomdecuca3627

Жыл бұрын

Yes. I was going to write something similar. Elliott was a master of different styles, and always impeccable taste!!

@totallykoolyeah

Жыл бұрын

Touch and go is one of my favorite solos period

The album is definetely a masterpiece and is one of the all-time classics. It's amazing how fresh this band still sounds today. Their masterful blend of new wave, rock and power pop definetely appeals to a wide ranging audience. The blend of the guitar and synthesizer turned me into a huge fan of the Cars. Great band.

@ProfessorofRock

Жыл бұрын

They still sound so fresh. Exactly right Glen!

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

No other band could pull off this impressive type of feat at the time.

@Bacchus69

Жыл бұрын

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 That is true.

@gofusmoholl3462

Жыл бұрын

I was in college freshman in 79 and we played the cars, Emerson Lake and Palmer, and rush continually in our dorm

@Bacchus69

Жыл бұрын

@@gofusmoholl3462 Cool!

I saw The Cars live in 1984, my first live show. The Forum, Wang Chung opened. I was 13, and it was awesome.

@bcdoggie

Ай бұрын

I was there, too! Back then I thought that Wang Chung put on a better show because of how they interacted with the audience, whereas The Cars just stood there, relatively motionless while playing. I did like The Cars' music better than Wang Chung though, although they were also a great band.

Don't forget All mixed up and Moving in Stereo were on this album!!

Thank you Prof for this. Ben Orr had one of THE best voices and bass lines in rock. Elliot Easton is a master guitarist, he knows just what to play, knows what to leave out, does not overdo it. Slash has stated he would love to play with Elliot as he greatly admires him.

Ric and Ben are two iconic legends and pioneers of a sound that hadn't been heard before. Was a sad day in 2000 when we lost, Benjamin. Was another sad day when we lost Ric as well in 2019. Thank you for the video, Professor! I didn't want to bring up the schism between the two greats. I am just happy that they reconciled before Ben passed away in 2000.

@ProfessorofRock

Жыл бұрын

Me too. It's such a great story. Thanks Jason!

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

They both died too young. 😢

@kentd4762

Жыл бұрын

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Ben 53 yrs, Ric 75 yrs. They and the Cars made some great music!

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

@@kentd4762 They sure did!

@commentfreely5443

Жыл бұрын

best band

One of the finest debut albums ever… you could tell they were pro at that point; songwriting skills, voices, instrumentalists beyond their years! Amazing debut I saw them live in Montreal in 1977 One of best show I ever saw - and I’ve seen over one hundred shows in my lifetime

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

They are one of the best bands ever.

Side 2 of The Cars debut album is in my wheelhouse for one of the top 3 album sides ever, and that side doesn't even contain "the hits." You can't listen to one song without finishing out the album from wherever you entered it. That's musical and emotional perfection.

For me, doesn't matter if it charts or not. If it's good music, then it's good music! Cheers for the stories as always

@carlwalker1623

Жыл бұрын

Exactly

@questionmanga3963

Жыл бұрын

I keep replying the same to these videos !

@MarkLipka

Жыл бұрын

Yes, I don't know exactly why anyone gives 2 sh¡ts about the charts. I guess it just somehow lends credibility to the song. There are so many songs as good or better than you've ever heard on the charts that have never even been released as singles.

@ProfessorofRock

Жыл бұрын

Thanks RC32.

@ProfessorofRock

Жыл бұрын

It's fun to see where they chart though...

1978/1979 I was a freshman in high school in a small town population maybe 6,000. A senior school mate played this album for me & I'd never heard anything like it. Ran right out & bought it on an 8 track no less. It was my first step into new wave & the greatest music ever- the 80's. 💗

Been a Cars super fan since 1978. Always thought they had spectacular backing vocals and yet never heard them get credit for it. Thanks for acknowledging this aspect of my favorite all time band.

In my opinion, one of the most underrated bands in history. They were way ahead of their time.

@demonsaint1296

Жыл бұрын

Top comment “underrated”. It could be a video about Joe Schitt and the Ragboys and someone near the top will say, “The most underrated band ever.” Today that’s you. Congrats.

@demonsaint1296

Жыл бұрын

PS: nothing about The Cars is underrated. They were/are that good.

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

I love the Cars.

The Cars came out with their first album when I was 13. Those summers when I was 13 and 14 were absolutely soundtracked by The Cars! All my most beloved memories of junior high and my best friends are brought to mind every time I hear any song by The Cars. I love them!

@TheGoofyBuddha

Жыл бұрын

Same age here, and about the same experience, although the Cars were just one of many bands and artists from a myriad of musical genres on that soundtrack of those years...😉

There's an old documentary here on KZread called 'Cars, Guitars, and Elliott Easton'. Probably early 80's. It's well worth a watch if you like the Cars, and Elliott Easton.

I love that you love the Cars!!! I've been a fan since 1978 and while I agree that their debut is a greatest hits album, there are so many amazing tracks in between the hits on each of their studio albums. Thanks for all you do, Professor! You're awesome!!!

I’m so glad I saw them. Wang Chung opened and so everybody indeed had fun that night. They were the perfect band to take us out of the disco era and bak into rock, albeit a new rock. The perfect band.

@wadsworthaaron

Жыл бұрын

I saw the Heartbeat City Tour, as well (Chicago, Rosemont Horizon). Great show (^,^)

Elliot's guitar work on this one is simply sensational. Heck-- just about everything that he did was sensational. The Cars are in my top 5 all time and it baffles me that they never had a number 1 hit.

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

I mean, HOW?! It’s insane!

@pipkingdom

Жыл бұрын

So being #2 is not good?

@bobblaszczak7972

Жыл бұрын

Elliot doesn’t get recognized as one of the guitar greats.

@LowEarthOrbitPilot

11 ай бұрын

Elliot’s guitar 🎸 skills are grossly underrated! He never gets the credit he deserves.

Another great album in ‘78. I don’t think a year has had more incredible music than ‘78. ‘84 was big, too, but not as deep or broad as ‘78. A great year in music. The 80s, 70s too: _Lived ‘em. Loved ‘em. Miss ‘em._

Could not stop grinning throughout this flashback, especially memories of “Moving in Stereo” and the obscenely beautiful Phoebe Cates!!

Their Live Aid performance is stellar. Just What I Needed in particular. They were so accomplished at playing live for several years by this point that they were more than capable of delivering on the day, and they did. So tragic that Ben Orr died prematurely ( RIP) and Ric Ocasek is also sadly missed. Drive was played to the crowd at Wembley with footage of victims of the famine in Ethiopia and was extremely moving. It no doubt helped boost the amount of donations.

@ProfessorofRock

Жыл бұрын

That set was truly amazing. IT's what makes this band so unique.

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

It is such an iconic performance. That Drive segment was phenomenal.

@glennfolau6959

Жыл бұрын

@@ProfessorofRock Ben Orr, had the coolest hair cut in rock/pop at the time, and he had it when he played at Live Aid. I can remember getting up at 12am in the morning to see them perform live. In my country we took the feed live, but the time zones and time difference meant we had to view it from midnight to about 6am. I can also recall seeing The Hooters play. I had never heard of them, but I was really impressed with them.

@stevepwnz

Жыл бұрын

the best thing now is that the "missing" footage of the very start of their set at Live Aid was uploaded few years back on the official Live Aid channel

@davebellamy4867

Жыл бұрын

Yes I remember that film footage to this very day. It had the crowd silent in the stadium and at home. I think it came between Bowie and Queen. This was the pivotal moment of the show. Also Bob Geldof saif F*ck on live TV in exasperation at the lack of money coming in. After that, it exploded.

I was 12-13 when The Cars started getting radio air time. They are my all time favorite band! I will never understand why Misfit Kid and Cruiser didn't do better in the charts. My favorite Cars song, to no surprise, is Drive. For me, Drive has morphed into a memorial song for Ben. Thanks PoR.

I'm glad I was old enough to enjoy The Cars on the radio and my LP collection when it came out. GOD bless.

The Cars are my favorite band. The were ahead of time and still are unique. So sad Orr and Ocasek are not longer with us. I think they were evolving and each of their albums have their unique essence. Amazing Video. Thank you very much Profesor. Great as always. Cheers

@rogertrout7694

Жыл бұрын

They are one of my favorites too along with AC/DC, The Cult and Blackberry Smoke. My only wish is they that they had stayed together in '88 to make more albums after Door to Door with the full original line up. I always liked the songs that Ben Orr sang lead on the best.

The NUMBER 1 most underrated/under appreciated band in Rock history. By far! The Cars were a band’s band. Legendary!! 👍🏾🙌🏾

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely!

@markmailloux4472

Жыл бұрын

dude, they're in the Rock and Roll HOF. How exactly does that make them underrated?

@michaelmappin4425

Жыл бұрын

@Mark Mailloux I get what he's saying. They may be in the HOF, but they don't get mentioned in the same light as many other great bands. However, I think their first 2 albums are great; every song and every note. I don't care for anything that came after that.

@leeadickes7235

Жыл бұрын

The most underrated band is Ween hand down.

@bobblaszczak7972

Жыл бұрын

@@markmailloux4472 so is tupac. Soooooo….

Elliott Easton made that song a hit. I'm in awe of him creating and playing that solo, esp. at such an early stage of his career.

I met Ric Ocasek, used to see him around Gramercy in NY. Ric seemed shy and unassuming for a rock star. He is definitely missed and his songs with The Cars will live on, RIP Ric

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

Most rockstars are shy introverts off the stage.

@DukesMusic84

Жыл бұрын

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 YES they are and I never understood why. Maybe I should go on tour with one to find out.

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

@@DukesMusic84 Brian Wilson is VERY introverted, and so is Bob Dylan.

@DukesMusic84

Жыл бұрын

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 that’s what I’ve heard, would LOVE to meet Dylan he is my dad’s favorite.

@IronHorsey3

Жыл бұрын

Saw them sitting outside a small place in Grammercy one night too. Paulina looked radiant. Wished I had stopped to thank Ric. The first album, so good.

Wore this album out. Great from start to finish and beautifully recorded. A big part of this band's unique sound was the creative guitar work and especially Elliot Easton's wonderful solo work. So glad they were inducted to the RRHOF a few years ago before Ric left us.

@ProfessorofRock

Жыл бұрын

Couldn't agree more! Going to try and track Elliot down for an interview. Thanks Robster.

@robster7316

Жыл бұрын

@@ProfessorofRock That would be awesome!

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

It’s sad that Ben couldn’t join them. Rest in heaven to both of them.

Love the Cars. I remember their debut in 1978. I bought the album and enjoyed it. It's one of the best debuts of the rock era. Their sound and style was totally different from what was going on in music at that time. I always felt they were the very first successful new wave artists and laid the groundwork to one of the music genres which dominated the 1980's.

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

They started the 80s two years early.

I can’t believe that they didn’t climb the charts that high. They are a little before my time but I’ve always loved their music and I introduced them to my kids and myteenage daughters love them too. I guess they get better with time.

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

I was born in 2006 and I know virtually every song they did. Been a big fan for ages.

Saw them in concert two times when I was younger. They, of course, were awesome.

@johnwilliams1223

Жыл бұрын

Lucky you!🥹 I never got to see them. 😕

I remember being in health class(Toronto, Canada) and our teacher had just played the song, on a tape player, then asked us to write ✍ what we thought My Best Friend's Girl, was about. Such a strange class, now that I think about it, but I also know why I remember all of this, I loved the song! The beat, the musicality, and the way he pronounced his poetic words.

The Cars are one of my favorite bands ever. It's so sad that Benjamin and Rick are now gone. May they rest in peace... 😞🌹🌹

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

R.I.P. Ric and Ben.

Another fine episode, Professor! I saw The Cars Halloween 1979 in Portland, Maine. They memorably opened with 'Moving is Stereo', and went right into 'All Mixed Up'. Other than the speeding ticket I got in my 1970 442, it was a great night!

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

Haha. 😅

Ocasek & Orr.....the true cool Czech brothers!

Front row center in Phoenix Arizona in 1978. They had a limited play list, therefore played a few of their songs twice! We didn't care, everyone loved them!!!

This album came out when I was in 10th grade, and hearing it changed how I listened to and sought music. At the time, we thought that they were pretty new wave, but they are so hard to categorize. Whatever they were, it was unique, catchy, and great. I have The Cars and Candy-O on vinyl, 8-track, cassette, cd, and mp3. The proper way to enjoy this song would be to listen to it on 8-track, in a '72 Torino, windows down, cruising the beach, with your best friend's former girlfriend (just sayin').

Great episode, Professor! I never get tired of listening to people gush about The Cars. And it was funny to hear somebody else say what I've been saying for years about that debut; it really plays like a Greatest Hits. Incredible album!

The Cars was my first concert, in San Diego, California, in 1985 or 86. Wang Chung opened for them. I still have the ticket stub somewhere around here.

Two parts of this video kind of hit close to home. I was in a punk rock band in high school. All four of us wrote lyrics. The boys would all sit there and jam, working up different riffs and whatnot. I had everyone's lyrics laid out in front of me and would see if any of those fit with the music they were playing. Any talk of bands sitting around and working through composing songs brings back fond memories. Now, the second part was this song itself. I dated a girl my junior year. We went out just a couple of times, and I was too ignorant to recognize that I was in the friend zone and would always be there. It was more than a year later that it became clear she had the hots of our drummer. They dated for a few years, but this was what it finally took for me to get the hint and move on. The band broke up, but we were all still buds and she was still part of the crew. She just showed up to shows with Rick, instead of me. So, she's my best friend's girl and she use to be mine (but not really--I recognize that now).

The Cars were SO unique sounding. I totally agree that their first album has so many of my favorite songs, it could be a greatest hits itself. "Moving in Stereo" is probably my favorite of them all.

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

Immortalized in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Stranger Things.

@TheStrykerProject

Жыл бұрын

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Ha ha ha! Right?!

@oceanbluebandflorida

Жыл бұрын

👍😎👍 Our bands’ cover clip of this great song (me on lead vocals) ps would love to do Movin’ in Stereo!!! -> kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZqOtm6azZa3geJM.html

@williamschenk6589

Жыл бұрын

Got to play all mixed up with it.

Before VCRs & video cassettes, going to the record store on the weekend to browse for an album was the highlight of my weekend especially when I brought home a jackpot album like this one. LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL.

I was a Freshman in college in 1978. Let the Good Times Roll was our anthem. And the records that came out in that short period 76 to ‘78 is unrivaled. Think about it; All these bands had first records; The Cars The Police The Pretenders Elvis Costello The Ramones Sex Pistols The Clash Tom Petty & Heartbreakers Joe Jackson Blondie On and on. What a time to be 18 and LOVE MUSIC. And I got to The Cars summer of ‘79 in Arrowhead right after Candy O came out. One of the best shows ever.

Absolutely brilliant band! Their own look, sound and style. Love The Cars...Thank you Professor!!

@ProfessorofRock

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

@oceanbluebandflorida

Жыл бұрын

👍😎👍 Our bands’ cover clip of this great song (me on lead vocals) -> kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZqOtm6azZa3geJM.html

The Cars! From my home state of Ohio. Love them. Grew up with their music. Love Ben's bass playing. This band also happens to be one of Ed Roland's (of Collective Soul, my favorite band) favorite bands. One of my favorite songs of the Cars is All Mixed Up. The lyrics, the melodies, all so good.

@ProfessorofRock

Жыл бұрын

Ben is such an amazing player. Agreed.

@dabbozknowz4845

Жыл бұрын

@@ProfessorofRock I was 13 when this album came out. I remember my best friend's sister had the album and we would spend hours in the bedroom listening to it on her record player and reading the album cover to cover lol. Pretty lucky to grow up during this time in music ❤️ Thanks for bringing back all the memories of this era.

@tomconley2458

Жыл бұрын

I grew up in Lakewood like Ben. Left Ohio for California in 1977. Still have family in Elyria and Lorain.

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

It’s another gem from this great debut.

@dabbozknowz4845

Жыл бұрын

@@tomconley2458 I grew up in the Wooster area but my husband is from Lakewood. He has friends and family in the area still. We live in northwest Ohio now.

I can listen to the Card anytime, anywhere and it helps lift my mood. They'll forever be an underrated band that never get the credit for all they've done for Rock n Roll. Thanks, professor!!!

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

Especially when you’re driving!

I remember my cousin and I as teenagers road tripping two hours into the next state to visit some girls we had met. We left early on a humid summer morning in my '71 Chevelle and along the way down some back road with the windows down, we had The Cars blasting from the 8-track. Great times!

My lady and I visited Bens grave last summer. Just had to play this song on my phone which was resting on his monument. Gives me goosebumps. Such a tiny cemetery pretty much in the middle of nowhere Ohio. The ground in front of his monument is adorned with Cars memorabilia by his fans. Such a humble gravesite next to his parents.

@gracewolf16

Ай бұрын

It's his half brother and sister in law, not his parents.

This is one of my favorite albums of all time and was a significant part of my soundtrack in high school. It is definitely a greatest hits album of sorts. I really love how all the songs flow together especially on the second side.

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

That second part of the album is so cool!

They put out a lot of great stuff, but that first album is a masterpiece. It brought together almost everyone -- my own circle of hard rockers/metalheads, the pop people, the new wavers, etc. It crossed generations, too, as my parents liked a lot of it, and so does my little brother who wasn't even born until '83. Almost everyone likes The Cars. That's a rare thing for a band to accomplish.

@_The_Melle_baby_music

Жыл бұрын

Message me 👆👆on telegrame above the name I have something special for 🎁🎁🎁

This album brings a flood of memories as one of my first two roommates my freshman year in college, Tim, played this album over and over again on the stereo. I used to tease him by singing lyrics from one song to the tune of one of the other songs. However, after a break from the endless playing, it grew on me.

Great episode Professor! The Cars are my favorite band of all time and that debut album is my favorite! But you’re right. They have so many great songs. It’s hard to choose songs off each album. They were and are so talented! And those hand claps are the best! They were so in tune with each other “it’s Magic” that they created.

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

They knew how to shake it up with such diversity! 😉

@thomasmartin7425

Жыл бұрын

My girlfriend was related to a member. In the spring of 1977 I was invited to her cousins house near Boston and watched them rehearse. Amazing times and memories.

@meliawhite2499

Жыл бұрын

@@thomasmartin7425 Wow! That’s awesome! How cool! Thanks for sharing! 😁

@thomasmartin7425

Жыл бұрын

@@meliawhite2499 it was. They were working out "My Best Friends Girl' and I talked with David Robinson about his drums. He was really cool and encouraged me to take up drumming. Two months later I got a used Ludwig kit and the rest is....Minor history

@meliawhite2499

Жыл бұрын

@@thomasmartin7425 That’s fantastic! 😁🥁

their debut album came out in 1978. but it has that 80's sound to it. just what I need it, and my best friend's girl.

@ProfessorofRock

Жыл бұрын

So good.

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

It started the 80s two years early.

My favorite memory of this song comes from around 1985. I was in high school, my friend had an old 2 door sedan that he had just put a brand new Alpine stereo system in, and we went for a ride. He put this cassette in and we cruised the city with the windows down, the song blasting. That was the day I completely fell in love with the Cars.

I had a friend once tell me The Cars were his guilty pleasure. To which i responded "There is no guilt in giving credit where credit is due. The Cars are one of the greatest. " i remember an instagram post by the Drummer from Rage Against The Machine where he broke down some of the kids that made The Cars such a great band, talked about his live for them and how he loves sharing their music with his kids... no matter how cool you are... youre never too cool for The Cars

My Best Friend's Girl by the Cars was the first song I heard from them. I was instantly hooked. My 12 year old ears were amazed at what seemed to be a melodic sound that I had never heard before. So unique and layered with incredible hooks. It also helps that at the time I had a crush on a girl who I rode the bus with. She had a BF that was one of my friends. In my mind, I liked her first and no one else should be with her before me. Ughhh... JR. High heartbreak!

@ProfessorofRock

Жыл бұрын

Jr. High heartbreak! We know it so well. Thanks Fakeaorta!

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

I’m in high school. I had a crush on several girls in middle school. Some of them made weird sounds when I tried to talk to them or said they weren’t interested or walked away.

@davebellamy4867

Жыл бұрын

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Weird sounds!🤣😂😅 I kind of know the feeling. They probably made weird sounds before I even thought of opening my mouth to say something!

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

@@davebellamy4867 And I’m a girl too! I wasn’t trying to start a romantic relationship with anyone, I was chasing their personalities.

And Elliot Easton is a phenomenal guitar player! He had such a distinct sound

@danherak2978

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely! The solo for Candy-O still blows me away.

I was just listening to the Cars yesterday! These songs are definitely fun to sing along to! Thank you for today’s episode!

That album! It’s 1978 and I’m in my Dad’s pickup. He pops this cassette in the cassette player. I’m not quite 10 yet, but I’m in love! That was so many years ago but I’m still a huge fan. I have all of their albums and all of them on CD as well. The late 70’s had some of the best music!

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

There was a plethora of wildly different songs in the late 70s.

Both of the Cars first 2 albums were perfect. Couldn’t get enough. Went to see them on tour for each album. Amazing.

@jml-rj5re

Жыл бұрын

Candy-O is so tight. A pinnacle in Ocasek's songwriting.

Love The Cars. They are in my regular rotation. A lot of their songs actually.

Rik and Ben are sorely missed R.I.P guys!!! I was elated when they finally got inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame! They should have been inducted the moment they were eligible. The music of the Cars was unbelievably beautiful and simple at the same time. They had a sound no one could copy, though many had tried.

Ric Ocasek's passing was another "Day The Music Died: in my eyes, along with several others.

Saw the Cars when they opened for Foreigner back in 78 or 79 at the Hollywood Sportatorium. Blew them away. They were unbelievable. Saw them again in 1980 down in Miami as the headliner. Another awesome performance.

@kittensanddaisies5615

Жыл бұрын

Wow, The Cars and Foreigner! Two of my all time favorite bands! I saw Foreigner once back in the day, but unfortunately never got to see The Cars. To this day i regret never seeing The Cars perform live. Thank goodness for KZread!

OMG! I traded an entire album for the Let the Good Times Roll 45. A year later, I made a few bucks and bought the album...still have it. Another Cleveland music legend, Mr. Benjamin Orr.

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

Cleveland. Home of the RRHOF and many legends.

I saw the Cars in the winter of 1978 in Rochester, NY and thought they were great. I bought their debut album and still think it's their best album by far. They will always be one of my favorite bands.

It was 1978, Beach Haven, N.J….we rented a house on 2nd St. and my brother Phil bought the Cars cassette from the (then) Pier 18 Mall !! It became the soundtrack to that vacation and everytime I hear a track from that album, I’m taken back to LBI. That summer had its own soundtrack….and it was The Cars!!

The Cars were so different from other music then...... such groundbreakers. My Best Friends Girl is one of their best too. Takes me back to my lowered Ford Courier with Jensen cassette player with Sony 6X9's just blasting it while cruising Market Street with all my buddies. The Cars set the stage for the 80's for sure.....

@ProfessorofRock

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing Bud!

@TheSlowoldman

Жыл бұрын

@@ProfessorofRock so much musical knowledge here, I just like to share my personal memories..... hope it brings back others memories too! Can't really contribute any musical stuff here, I'm just a listener, no musical talent at all!

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

They DROVE us into the 80s. Get it? 😉

@TheSlowoldman

Жыл бұрын

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 yup, I get it... :)

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

@@TheSlowoldman ☺️

As great as they were, they were underrated. You forget just how many great songs these guys produced. Such a unique sound.

@ProfessorofRock

Жыл бұрын

No question. Again, no one sound like them.

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

As soon as you heard their song come on the radio you knew it was them!

@pipkingdom

Жыл бұрын

Underrated by whom?

....bloody hell but....this one...this one makes me feel bloody OLD. w0w......just.....w0w some of the best moments of my pitiful life were in the days of this album hitting the charts and radio...... ive got tears running down my face over here..... THOSE were GOOD TIMES......REALLY GOOD TIMES.....the BEST TIMES.....

It was a song played a lot back when we played our recorded music far more than the radio.

My favorite debut album; every note is simply perfect. The Cars are the rare band that had the ability to create “perfect” moments all within the same song.

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

It’s so cool!

I remember in 1978 , when this album debuted it was absolutely revolutionary!Their look ,their sound were like NOTHING else. The New Wave movement was just in its infancy and they were right there. You were definitely one of the cool kids if you knew of them.

@bobblaszczak7972

Жыл бұрын

True. The sound was so different than anything we were hearing those days. Just fantastic.

The cars are pure ear candy !ALWAYS AND FOREVER!

Love the Cars! It was the soundtrack of my youth. Thanks for this walk through memory lane.

I was fanatic for The Cars! They were so different. So catchy and quirky. They were my cruising tunes. I never got tired. I bought The Cars debut album and played it constantly. Sadly, when I left home for a church mission, I came back to that record being scratched up by brothers who weren't as careful as I was. At least they were listening to some of the best!

@eaw6590

Жыл бұрын

Cool story. LDS mission?

@bishdizzle67

Жыл бұрын

@@eaw6590 Yes

Elliot even throws in the occasional rockabilly country lick, especially on “Best Friends Girl”. I always thought that added subconsciously to the odd, unique sound early on. Buddy Holly? Pete Anderson? Don’t know where it came from, but it was perfect.

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

I totally hear that in the song.

@jeff196330

Жыл бұрын

Listen to the Beatles "I Will". It's note for note the same lick

I was given this album by an Uncle on my 10th birthday, I went from the BeeGees and Andy Gibb to The Cars and ELO!!! Still love the BeeGees and Andy but it felt like I had grown-up overnight!! ☺️

The Cars 1st album was a wonderful treat for the ears. What a pleasure to listen to.

This is such a great song. The first Cars songs I remember recognizing was Best Friend’s Girl. It’s just such a great song.

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

Жыл бұрын

🎶 Uh, she’s my best friend’s gurl 🎶

Awesomest of all episodes Professor! My favorite band finally! The Car's were my favorite in High School! I had most of their albums on 8 track and donated them to my cousin when I switched to cassette. I still have all their albums on cassette and on CD too! They are the only band I've ever collected all their albums of! As a teen growing up everyone has a favorite, the Car's were mine! Awesome episode Professor! Thanks for keeping the music alive!👍

The first album was huge. My friends and I would play the entire album while hanging out.

One of my top 5 favorite bands! Loved their debut album.. Wore it out I played it so much! That's what really started my interest in music. I was in Junior High at the time. That's how I learned to play drums. Nods to David Robinson as my inspiration!! It was years later I found out Ben was from the Parma OH and that Ric actually graduated from the same High School as me only 19 years before I did. Ric actually graduated the same year my buddy's mom did... She said-- "yeah I remember that guy. He was kinda weird." Funny how one of fave bands had roots in my hometown that I didn't know until 10 years after I heard 'em.