On how he met Ric: “Got a phone call one afternoon. He said he’d like to meet me because he was watching me do this number on this television show called ‘Upbeat,’ and [we] became friends after that and pretty much stuck together through the years.” — “Rock Of The World” interview with host Phil Harvey, 1986
Time to pull the cover back on Candy-O, The Cars’ second record, and take a closer look at what’s under the hood (cheesy Cars pun — groan!).
After blasting onto the music scene with their iconic debut album, many critics were prepared for the follow-up offering to fall into the dreaded ‘sophomore slump’ but instead, they were treated to a splendid sequel that proved The Cars’ success was no accident.
Dave and Donna start their study with some background information on this unforgettable album, and then move to the ‘physical examination’ (non-biological), commenting on everything from the band’s style to the cover art (complete with Vargas impersonations). From there they dive into the music, taking each side song by song and sharing their observations, while also exploring questions like:
They also discuss such nuances as:
The Midnight Scroll this week includes some wonderful insight from Cars fan and fledgling bass player, Katrina. She shares the musical experience she’s gained playing with her band, The Debutantes. Then our good friend, Judi, writes in to clarify the meaning of the phrase ‘Benjamin Orr Trifecta,’ and also inspires Dave to examine himself to determine if he is a ‘fandango.’ Thank you, ladies!
To close out the show, Dave drops a hint about the exciting topic they’re tackling in Episode 35… but not enough of a hint for the impatient Donna. Haha! Be sure to listen through the end and see if you have an idea of what’s coming.
Contact us! There are plenty of ways to get in touch with NiGHT THOUGHTS:
Enjoy!
“Ben had the best sense of time of any person on the planet. He also had an amazing grasp of the way vocals fit into a song. Ben had a way of singing things and of putting emotion with his vocals into things like nobody else.” — John Kalishes, former guitarist and co-writer for Ben, The Boston Herald, October 5, 2000
“Loving you isn’t the right thing to do. How can I ever change things that I feel? If I could, baby I’d give you my world… How can I, when you won’t take it from me?”
— Fleetwood Mac, “Go Your Own Way”
On July 3, 2017, Dave and Donna indulged in a crazy idea to start a podcast all about their favorite band, The Cars, and it’s carried on far longer than either of them thought possible! Join them as they celebrate their first year by remembering how it all got started and taking a look (and listen) back over some of their favorite moments from the first 33 episodes.
From there Dave takes on the task of interviewing a woefully unprepared Donna, which leads to thoughts on things like huckleberries, her writing, Dave getting slapped by his mom, favorite breakfast cereals, and what Donna would ask Benjamin if she had the opportunity.
Dave changes things up toward the end by reading some of the crazy comments posted on Cars videos on Youtube before they get to the Midnight Scroll (thank you Liz, Judi, and Harold!), and then they finish up the episode with sincere and hearty thanks to several dear friends of the podcast.
All in all it’s been an AMAZING year! We’ll just keep on doing our thing until we run out of things to say (or until Dave gets lynched), and hope that we can continue to bring people together through a mutual love for The Cars. Thank you SO much to everyone who listens!
Now don’t forget… We want to connect with you! Find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @TheCarsPodcast (individually we’re @night_spots and @sweetpurplejune ), and subscribe to our audio outlets! You can listen by clicking the Youtube link below, or visit us on iTunes or Soundcloud. Wherever you connect, subscribe, share and comment. Let us know your thoughts — we’d love to hear from you!
Stay The Night by Benjamin Orr (written by Benjamin Orr and Diane Page, ©1983)
Sometimes you twist, always insist that you know a way
Should I let go now, would I even know how to, anyway?
And all that matters is turned around over and over again
We’re at full circle, it comes down to now again
Stay the night… let a little love show
Stay the night, it’s alright yeah
Stay the night… don’t say you don’t know
Stay the night
Trying so hard to hold onto you, can you show me how?
If I seem cautious, maybe I’m lost, can you show me now?
And all that matters is turned around over and over again
We’re at full circle, it comes down to now again
Stay the night… let a little love show
Stay the night, it’s alright
Stay the night… you lead, I’ll follow
Stay the night, stay tonight
In all the making, yours for the taking, shaking me down
You see what we’ve got, you know what it’s not that turns you upside down
And all that matters is turned around over and over again
We’re at full circle, it comes down to now again
Stay the night, let a little love show
Stay the night, don’t say you don’t know
Stay the night, you lead, I’ll follow
Stay the night, ho ho
Stay the night, c’mon stay the night
Stay the night, yeah
Stay the night, let a little love show
Stay the night, stay the night
Stay the night… don’t say you don’t know
Stay the night, it’s alright, just stay the night
Stay the night… let a little love show
Stay the night, stay tonight
Stay the night… don’t say you don’t know
Stay the night… you lead, I’ll follow
When asked if he expected comparisons between his solo album and Ric Ocasek’s new album (This Side of Paradise): “Ric and I never had any contest. It just happened that they’re coming out near each other. If people want to compare, there’s not much we can do about it.” — The Boston Herald, October 12, 1986
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