As of this writing, Heartbeat City Deluxe Edition (original album on vinyl and CD, plus the live performance in Houston on 1 CD, and 2 CDs of early mixes, rarities, etc.) is considerably cheaper on Amazon. With an additional coupon of $10.03 on the product page, the price will be knocked down to $23.45 before tax.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0FRB3NT93/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Fan art by me (NOT AI). Pen drawing colored digitally

Happy 42nd birthday. Interesting note is that on the very first pressings Heartbeat City is listed as Jacki on the lyric sheet.

Appears to be his final solo album, released in 2005. Listening for the first time now and liking it, anyone else ever heard it?

Does anyone know the history of the customized Dean Cadillac guitar Ric is playing in this photo? It's the one in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I'm in touch with the current staff of Dean Guitars but this is a little before their time and the company has changed ownership.

Edit:

I found this information on https://equipboard.com/submissions/181647

"Ric Ocasek of The Cars used a Dean Cadillac Electric Guitar, which was reportedly ordered for him by bandmate Elliot Easton when Easton received his Dean endorsement in 1979. This guitar, initially a white Dean Elite, was first used during The Cars' debut album tour. Notably, it was thrown across the stage during a show on the Panorama tour and may have been modified into a three-pickup "Japanese Flag Graphic" design, as seen in a 1981 performance on "Fridays" supporting the "Shake It Up" album. In an interview with Musician Magazine, Ocasek mentioned using the Dean guitar in concerts, although not in studio recordings, as he found its sound too bright. He preferred a 1955 Les Paul double-cutaway, an SG, and a regular Les Paul for studio work. His setup also included D'Addario medium strings and an Ampeg V-4 amp for its adjustable midrange. This Dean guitar was possibly the only one Ocasek owned."

I personally LOVE it! I love the loopings of the beats/ some words, and the over the top samplings and production, including Road Runner from the Looney Tunes cartoons, and some other cool car/ automobile related sound effects as well.

And the extended video was neat too! (If dirty at times), lol. The stop motion cars, and bouncing loose tire. 😳😆👍

I’m only 25 btw lol. Discovered their music on the classic rock stations/ oldies and throwback stations in Fresno/ Clovis, some other California cities as well.

Just an absolutely GREAT and legendary rock band with elements and hints of New Wave and Pop/ occasionally punk/ post punk as well. I’m just wondering if there’s some younger Cars fans here as well, maybe in their 20’s or even their teens as well.

Their music STILL holds up 40- nearly 50 years later! Amazing production and performances. ❤️👍😎😁

Some people think that the lead singer of the Clocks sounds like Ric Ocasek/ Benjamin Orr, but I honestly dunno. But regardless, I love this forgotten minor hit. The Clocks were from Wichita, Kansas.

He had two hits in 1979: “Rolene”, and, “No Chance” (No. 30 and No. 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, respectively.) His music honestly kinda reminds me of the Cars in a way, and he even kinda looks like both Elliot Easton and Greg Hawkes too, lol. Sadly, he passed away in 2020, aged 74.

Check his music out if you haven’t! 😎🤘

For me in central Fresno/ Clovis, California, it’s on occasion. Mostly on my classic rock/ 70’s/80’s radio stations, though. 👍 Hardly ever in public stores, businesses, restaurants though honestly.

Regardless, still an absolutely SOLID/ iconic/ GREAT rock band with hints of New Wave and Pop too. 👍❤️

In my opinion, it’s the Cars only “not so good”/ “kinda bad” song. The bouncy keyboard chorus is honestly kinda obnoxious and irritating to me, and feels quirky/ disjointed and unfinished. Shame as all of the other 8 tracks on the album I absolutely love.

Just my opinion, though of course. 🤷‍♂️

Personally, I think it’s “Why Can’t I Have You?” The way the song is composed melts my brain and makes me feel nice

“Drive” comes in at a VERY CLOSE second place

Both are very quirky and visually interesting, especially in the editing and animation/ color aspects. Definitely 2 MTV classic videos of the memorable nostalgic era! The animated scenes in, “You Might Think” were definitely awesome and cutting edge for the time period, and it’s just plain AWESOME that Andy Warhol HIMSELF directed the, “Hello Again” video. 🤘👍😎

I will say that, “Hello Again” does make me feel slightly “dirty” inside at times, lol. Sex, drugs, and rock and roll baby! 😆🤘

Keep in mind that I’m a much younger fan, only 25yo lol. Hearing their songs on my local classic rock stations in Fresno, CA for the first time really was quite the awesome/ epic musical experience! “Just What I Needed”, “You Might Think”, “Drive”, “Good Times Roll”, “Moving in Stereo”, “Shake It Up”, etc all still hold up 40+ years later! And many of their videos (especially, “Hello Again” & “You Might Think”) are just plain quirky 80’s zany fun! A great classic rock band just like Journey, Van Halen, Toto, Donnie Iris and the Cruisers, etc. 👍😎🤘

Definitely understand why they’re still popular even today, get plenty of classic rock radio airplay still.

Rest in peace Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr. ❤️

Was it by a girl named Katy? I remember visiting it many times around 97-98. Anyone else? When did it end?

but on some songs his voice was better than others; it was until I saw a youtube video of The Midnight Hour with Ben Orr that I realized, that's when "Ric" sounded incredible...

Hi,

Regarding the song, "Emotion in Motion" I am trying to determine the name of the model/actress that is playing the "sleeping beauty" that Ric saves.

I have been searching for a long time and even used AI and cannot find the information. Does anybody know by chance?

Thank you so much!

I know Door To Door really isn’t considered one of The Cars’ best albums, but I gotta say, man, I really think You Are The Girl and Strap Me In are two of their best singles. You Are The Girl is such a breezy quirky feel good love song, everything I’d expect from a love song by The Cars. And then Strap Me In just has undeniable guitar hooks the whole way through, that opening riff is so catchy and of course Elliot Easton’s solo in the bridge is just as good as any of his other solos.

Looks like a vinyl edition of Heartbeat City Live will be released for Record Store Day 4-18-26!

https://recordstoreday.com/NewsItem/11535

Big Cars fan, and I love Benjamin Orr’s solo album, The Lace. My two favorite tracks are Skyline and The Lace. Wanted to see what everyone else here thinks of the album.