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
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.
