The Cars

Burning Down · 05-18-2011, 10:35 AM

As far as I can tell, the search function is not turning up a general thread for The Cars. So I'm making one. Talk about this great band here!

Unknown Soldier · 05-18-2011, 10:54 AM

Without doubt one of the best bands to have ever come out of the USA. Here in the UK they were known but largely under-appreciated by British listeners. Their debut is a timeless classic and I still listen to it often, their fourth album "Shake it Up" is all time fav of mine and I love the commercial "Heartbeat City" album as well.

I`m not overly happy that they`ve reformed, because without Benjamin Orr (the voice of the Cars) it will never quite be the same.

Best song is a hard choice, but it has to be the legendary "Moving in Stereo"

**Janszoon** · 05-18-2011, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

Without doubt one of the best bands to have ever come out of the USA. Here in the UK they were known but largely under-appreciated by British listeners. Their debut is a timeless classic and I still listen to it often, their fourth album "Shake it Up" is all time fav of mine and I love the commercial "Heartbeat City" album as well.

I`m not overly happy that they`ve reformed, because without Benjamin Orr (the voice of the Cars) it will never quite be the same.

Best song is a hard choice, but it has to be the legendary "Moving in Stereo"

I think Ric Ocasek was more the voice of the Cars. Ben Orr only sang on a handful of songs as far as I know.

Unknown Soldier · 05-18-2011, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

I think Ric Ocasek was more the voice of the Cars. Ben Orr only sang on a handful of songs as far as I know.

The singing on the albums was usually a 70/30 split in favour of Ric Ocasek. When I say the voice of the Cars, I mean to say that his songs were more memorable. He sang some of the best known songs in "Just what I Needed" "Lets Go" and "Drive"

Other great songs he sung include "Moving in Stereo" "All Mixed Up" "Candy O" "Don`t Tell Me No" "Cruiser" "This Could be Love" "Stranger Eyes" "Double Trouble" to name some.

Ric Ocasek`s hiccup style delivery is the Cars, but the cooler more decisive delivery of Ben Orr provided the soul of the group.

Burning Down · 05-18-2011, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

I think Ric Ocasek was more the voice of the Cars. Ben Orr only sang on a handful of songs as far as I know.

Ben Orr definitely had more sex appeal than the rest of them though!

Unknown Soldier · 05-18-2011, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burning Down

Ben Orr definitely had more sex appeal than the rest of them though!

For that reason he used to stand in the middle in concerts!!!

Many years ago I actually met Ric Ocasek in an airport and he was of course instantly recognizable with his height, dark shades and hair!!. I spoke to him briefly and got his autograph, he was also in the company of an absolutely stunning brunette, who was probably even more attractive than the brunette in the Drive video.

Burning Down · 05-18-2011, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

For that reason he used to stand in the middle in concerts!!!

Many years ago I actually met Ric Ocasek in an airport and he was of course instantly recognizable with his height, dark shades and hair!!. I spoke to him briefly and got his autograph, he was also in the company of an absolutely stunning brunette, who was probably even more attractive than the brunette in the Drive video.

He actually married the woman in the video, and as far as I know they are still married.

VEGANGELICA · 08-23-2012, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burning Down

Ben Orr definitely had more sex appeal than the rest of them though!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

For that reason he used to stand in the middle in concerts!!!

Earlier in this thread I posted my favorite Cars songs ( http://www.musicbanter.com/rock-meta...ml#post1103682 ), but I haven't commented yet on Benjamin Orr.

He was definitely one handsome man, I feel.

When I got my first Cars cassette in the '80s, I didn't really notice or know how they all looked. I think there was just a drawing on the front of the cassette and no picture of the band. I was inspired by the music alone, which sounded hot and risqué.

Then last year when I saw Benjamin Orr in videos, similar to this excellent video below of their 1978 performance of "Just What I Needed," I realized to my surprise that...he was lovely.

I also had to laugh because I noticed that the keyboard player looks like a slender little 15-year-old boy, and I remembered reading wisdom's hypothesis that keyboard players tend not to be very manly. Based on this one band, that hypothesis would be proven, in my opinion.

The Cars - Just What I Needed - The Midnight Special 1978
I love the "chuck, chuck, chuck" of the rhythm guitar complemented by Ben's warm singing.

Raust · 05-21-2011, 09:32 AM

I grew up listening to the cars. My parents are pretty big fans and saw them live a couple times. They're pretty good, my favorite song by them is "Moving in Stereo". Has anyone bought there new album? I've heard mixed reviews on it.

SGR · 05-22-2011, 05:23 AM

I've been meaning to pick up some Cars albums. I've heard their self-titled is essential but what else should I get from 'em?

05-18-2011, 10:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
Burning Down The Music Guru. Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Beyond the Wall Posts: 4,858	The Cars As far as I can tell, the search function is not turning up a general thread for The Cars. So I'm making one. Talk about this great band here!

05-18-2011, 10:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
Unknown Soldier Horribly Creative Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London, The Big Smoke Posts: 8,265	Without doubt one of the best bands to have ever come out of the USA. Here in the UK they were known but largely under-appreciated by British listeners. Their debut is a timeless classic and I still listen to it often, their fourth album "Shake it Up" is all time fav of mine and I love the commercial "Heartbeat City" album as well. I`m not overly happy that they`ve reformed, because without Benjamin Orr (the voice of the Cars) it will never quite be the same. Best song is a hard choice, but it has to be the legendary "Moving in Stereo"

05-21-2011, 09:32 AM	#9 (permalink)
Raust Music Addict Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,411	I grew up listening to the cars. My parents are pretty big fans and saw them live a couple times. They're pretty good, my favorite song by them is "Moving in Stereo". Has anyone bought there new album? I've heard mixed reviews on it.

05-22-2011, 05:23 AM	#10 (permalink)
SGR No Ice In My Bourbon Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: /dev/null Posts: 4,327	I've been meaning to pick up some Cars albums. I've heard their self-titled is essential but what else should I get from 'em?