The Albums of 1984: The Cars: Heartbeat City

Release Date: March 12, 1984

Personnel: Ric Ocasek (vocals, guitar); Ben Orr (vocals, bass); Elliot Easton (guitar, vocals); Greg Hawkes (keyboards); David Robinson (drums)

Produced by Mutt Lange

List of Tracks: Hello Again; Looking for Love; Magic; Drive; Stranger Eyes; You Might Think; It's Not the Night; Why Can't I Have You; I Refuse; Heartbeat City

The new wave sound of The Cars defined FM rock during the early 1980s. Heartbeat City yielded five hit singles and massive airplay on MTV, placing The Cars at the pinnacle of their success. 

"Hello Again" sets the tone with accessible synthy rock and catchy lyrics, "Looking for Love" continues the momentum with Ocasek's definitive vocal. "Magic" sounds like 1984 in the best way possible with video arcade ambience of stylish neon with infectious hooks. 

'Drive" stops the album right in its tracks, a stunner placed right in the middle. Benjamin's Orr's vocal synchs perfectly with the melancholy production, but also romantic. There's a cinematic flicker to the entire song; it sets off a reel of your own life inside your mind. 

"Stranger Eyes" evokes a noirish city. "You Might Think" might be mostly remembered for its playful music video, while the song itself was self-consciously retro with sophisticated production. "It's Not the Night" once makes 1984 sound tempting, "Why Can't I Have You" moves into moodier territory. "I Refuse" never quite takes off. "Heartbeat City" channels effectively channels mysterious night life.  

As with many rock records of the era, there's a tension between a band wanting airplay and room to experiment. With Heartbeat City, The Cars hit the sweet spot of writing songs that are still played decades later, while the record makes subtle shifts in register to sustain a full listen. 

The Albums of 1984: Van Halen: 1984

Release Date: January 9, 1984

Personnel: David Lee Roth (vocals); Eddie Van Halen (guitars, keyboards, vocals); Michael Anthony (bass, synth); Alex Van Halen (percussion)

Produced by Ted Templeman

List of Tracks: 1984; Jump; Panama; Top Jimmy; Drop Dead Legs; Hot for Teacher; I'll Wait; Girl Gone Bad; House of Pain

Van Halen had a major cultural presence in 1984 with non-stop airplay on radio and MTV. Their new album titled 1984 yielded a massive hit with "Jump." It was the last record with the original lineup. Synths are used liberally on the record that's full of good time vibes and supreme musicianship. 

The instrumental opening "1984" serves as an overture, heavy on synth and sounding futuristic, serving as a lead in to "Jump." A vast understatement to call it an 80s staple, "Jump" was simply everywhere, the sound of FM mainstream rock for the decade. Roth's distinct vocal, "I get up and nothing gets me down.", I picture the song blasting from thousands of beat-up old mustangs on the way to school. Alex Van Halen's thundering percussion, the overlapping and melodic synths, and Eddie Van Halen's signature guitar riffs. "Jump" is almost a mini-suite allowing every band member to stand out. 

The muscular "Panama" blended fast cars and sex appeal, the epitome of macho 1980s. "Hot for Teacher" was another juggernaut, everything about the song channels High School ennui and hijinks. Roth's spoken interludes are comical as a bored student who suddenly notices his attractive teacher. You can imagine Roth in the back of the classroom giving the teacher static. It also dabbles with some taboo subject matter, but it's played for laughs. They knew their audience well.  

Listening to "I'll Wait" I think of driving home on a Friday night from a basketball game or movie, it came on the rock channel, turning up the volume was involuntary. The synthy rock combined with Roth's menacing vocal channeled an unexpressed angst, in the song's case the inability to connect with a woman who hypnotizes him. But on a Friday night, the specifics of the song are arbitrary. The mood of the song conjures images of dark roads and lonely highway signs; it's both the weariness and excitement of a late Friday night - and the sheer sensation of movement even though the song is about listlessness. 

'Top Jimmy" satirizes celebrity culture, even semi self-referential. 'Drop Dead Legs" is another one for high school dudes caught in a fantasy, the sound evokes Led Zeppelin up to a point. "Girl Gone Bad" leans into a darker sound bordering on theatrical. "House of Pain" continues the darker theme as if ending the record with an unfinished thought.

At 33 minutes, 1984 produced four massive singles which all got non-stop airplay for years to come. 1984 is one of the first cassettes I remember playing all the time as a kid, usually the first three tracks and "Hot for Teacher." 'I'll Wait" became a favorite later. The record made Van Halen one of the most popular bands in the world, possibly their peak. The imminent departure of David Lee Roth would forever change the dynamic.