The Cars — Good Times Roll
Album: The CarsAvg rating:
Your rating:
Total ratings: 2853
Length: 3:44
Plays (last 30 days): 1
share
tweet
Let the good times roll
Let them knock you around
Let the good times roll
Let them make you a clown
Let them leave you up in the air
Let them brush your rock and roll hair
Let the good times roll
Let the good times roll-oll
Let the good times roll
Let the stories be told
Let them say what they want
Let the photos be old
Let them show what they want
Let them leave you up in the air
Let them brush your rock and roll hair
Let the good times roll
Let the good times roll-oll
Won't you let the good times roll
Good times roll
If the illusion is real
Let them give you a ride
If they got thunder appeal
Let them be on your side
Let them leave you up in the air
Let them brush your rock and roll hair
Let the good times roll
Won't you let the good times roll-oll
Let the good times roll
Let the good times roll
Won't you let the good times roll
Well, let the good times roll
Let 'em roll
Good times roll
Let the good times roll
Oh, let the good times roll
Ooh, let the good times roll
Let 'em roll
Good times roll
Well, let the good times roll
Let the good times roll
Well, let the good times roll
Good times roll
Let the good times roll
Let the good times roll
Let 'em roll
Let them knock you around
Let the good times roll
Let them make you a clown
Let them leave you up in the air
Let them brush your rock and roll hair
Let the good times roll
Let the good times roll-oll
Let the good times roll
Let the stories be told
Let them say what they want
Let the photos be old
Let them show what they want
Let them leave you up in the air
Let them brush your rock and roll hair
Let the good times roll
Let the good times roll-oll
Won't you let the good times roll
Good times roll
If the illusion is real
Let them give you a ride
If they got thunder appeal
Let them be on your side
Let them leave you up in the air
Let them brush your rock and roll hair
Let the good times roll
Won't you let the good times roll-oll
Let the good times roll
Let the good times roll
Won't you let the good times roll
Well, let the good times roll
Let 'em roll
Good times roll
Let the good times roll
Oh, let the good times roll
Ooh, let the good times roll
Let 'em roll
Good times roll
Well, let the good times roll
Let the good times roll
Well, let the good times roll
Good times roll
Let the good times roll
Let the good times roll
Let 'em roll
Comments (153)add comment
xray38 wrote:
I met him in a hotel gift shop, he was looking at CD's back when they first started coming out, I asked him if they had The Cars cd, he smiled and said "not yet". Pretty cool, albeit limited interaction, I left him alone and let him do his thing, even though I had a billion questions for him.
Huge part of the soundtrack of my youth. Never met him. Never knew him at all, really.
But I knew his music well, and that's more than enough to miss him and feel true sorrow at his passing..
I met him in a hotel gift shop, he was looking at CD's back when they first started coming out, I asked him if they had The Cars cd, he smiled and said "not yet". Pretty cool, albeit limited interaction, I left him alone and let him do his thing, even though I had a billion questions for him.
Ben Orr's bass playing is the core of all of The Cars music. It was so sad when he passed away. It must be even harder for the remaining members since Ric Ocasek died, to have all of the memories of making great music and not be able to hang out and talk about it with the others, anymore.
Always great to hear these classics. Reminds me of early 1981 hanging out with friends, listening to this album and Queen's "The Game" album. They were the good times for sure.
tjmile1 wrote:
I was in 7th grade when this was out. Our town had a deplorably lame FM pop station and an equally deplorable AM pop station. Needless to say they never played this.
Same here! What the hell, this album really didn't get much airplay between 1978 and 1980 and I never noticed the song until 1981. In fact I wasn't even aware of the Cars until late 1979 when "Let's Go" got popular. One of the stations I listened to in 1978-1979 was KNOW-AM, a big Austin station, and The Cars wasn't anywhere on their map. It was a lot of Rickie Lee Jones, Jefferson Starship, Heart, and Steely Dan.
yes!Ahhh. Boston (Cambridge) in the late 70s. On Fridays I'd get home from class and work, turn this on loud, and dance in the kitchen while I cooked up some fish from Legal Sea Foods (before they burned it down ) in Inman Square. The good times rolled, for sure!
kcar wrote:
Chahles! And his alter-ego, Duane Ingalls Glasscock.
If you across GeneP59 during your stays on RP, see if you can get him to talk about working at BCN and getting to know all the DJs.
Forgive the Rs kcar my friend, but RP is worldwide. Not everyone understands us "Sahcastic Massholes!"
I will be looking for GeneP59, thanks! BCN was the soundtrack to a lot of good times.
Chahles! And his alter-ego, Duane Ingalls Glasscock.
If you across GeneP59 during your stays on RP, see if you can get him to talk about working at BCN and getting to know all the DJs.
Forgive the Rs kcar my friend, but RP is worldwide. Not everyone understands us "Sahcastic Massholes!"
I will be looking for GeneP59, thanks! BCN was the soundtrack to a lot of good times.
eileenomurphy wrote:
If I knew what you were saying, I'd probably agree! LOL! Somebody trasnlate!
Well now you know:
"I don't think there are many good tracks from the Cars, but this is definitely one of them" .................. rough translation for you.
If I knew what you were saying, I'd probably agree! LOL! Somebody trasnlate!
Well now you know:
"I don't think there are many good tracks from the Cars, but this is definitely one of them" .................. rough translation for you.
↳∉τ ¡τ ®๏↳↳
Let the photos be old
Let them show what they want
Funny, nowadays.
Let them show what they want
Funny, nowadays.
I remember 'getting happy' to this song in 78
What a band they were. Comfortable on the radio, but so much better than a good portion of it.
Oh, to be that young again.
My consolation is that I did have all the of the fun I could have had.
The Cars were special.
My consolation is that I did have all the of the fun I could have had.
The Cars were special.
dgeagon wrote:
Charles Laquidara was wicked pissah!
Chahles! And his alter-ego, Duane Ingalls Glasscock.
If you across GeneP59 during your stays on RP, see if you can get him to talk about working at BCN and getting to know all the DJs.
Charles Laquidara was wicked pissah!
Chahles! And his alter-ego, Duane Ingalls Glasscock.
If you across GeneP59 during your stays on RP, see if you can get him to talk about working at BCN and getting to know all the DJs.
sfyi2001 wrote:
ELLIOT EASTON
Left handed guitarist, reversed picture or who wouldn't want to pose with a guitar that beautiful (Gretsch White Falcon, I believe)?
MassivRuss wrote:
High school kid. I just remember stopping whatever I was doing, and turning up the radio whenever it was on. An utterly new sound.
Of course, on WBCN - The Rock of Boston! - in 1978, The Cars were played A LOT!!!
Charles Laquidara was wicked pissah!
High school kid. I just remember stopping whatever I was doing, and turning up the radio whenever it was on. An utterly new sound.
Of course, on WBCN - The Rock of Boston! - in 1978, The Cars were played A LOT!!!
Charles Laquidara was wicked pissah!
First cassette I played in my car when I was sixteen, what a crazy summer!
Laptopdog wrote:
I wake up every morning with rock'n'roll hair.
This song really makes no sense. Let them brush your rock and roll hair?! What, the good times? Let the good times brush your rock and roll hair? WTF?
And yet, I love it.
I wake up every morning with rock'n'roll hair.
This song really makes no sense. Let them brush your rock and roll hair?! What, the good times? Let the good times brush your rock and roll hair? WTF?
And yet, I love it.
And yet, I love it.
lynn01 wrote:
I was in 7th, and I was jamming to it. Luckily my family were big music heads, otherwise I would have missed out on a lot of great music!
I remember hearing this on WPLJ
I was in 7th, and I was jamming to it. Luckily my family were big music heads, otherwise I would have missed out on a lot of great music!
I'm I that old? I was on my 20's
Instant flashback. That's the telltale sign of a 10.
A classic from my university days. Instead of the thickly produced, lush sounds of prog-rock, this New Wave stuff was pretty radical. Clean, sparse, hypnotic. And oh, so danceable.
Очень интересная группа The CARS. Слушаю регулярно.
NewFee wrote:
Very true. I always laughed at couples in high school that picked 'their' song. A song has to pick you.
A song can never really be separated from its context and when you first heard it; time, place, friends, scene. An irrational 9 from me...
Very true. I always laughed at couples in high school that picked 'their' song. A song has to pick you.
I was in 7th grade when this was out. Our town had a deplorably lame FM pop station and an equally deplorable AM pop station. Needless to say they never played this. No cable/MTV in my house either. I was on the school bus one time and a kid was bragging about having this "Cars" album and how cool they were. I remember seeing the album cover, it looked cool, but I had no frame of reference so I just dismissed them (mainly because I wasn't friends with him and not in the "in" crowd). It wasn't until the mid 80's well after high school that I heard The Cars or saw their videos. They're not in my playlist but I like and admire them. Sometimes you miss out as a kid.
admascott wrote:
High school kid. I just remember stopping whatever I was doing, and turning up the radio whenever it was on. An utterly new sound.
Of course, on WBCN - The Rock of Boston! - in 1978, The Cars were played A LOT!!!
it sounds totally rational to me
High school kid. I just remember stopping whatever I was doing, and turning up the radio whenever it was on. An utterly new sound.
Of course, on WBCN - The Rock of Boston! - in 1978, The Cars were played A LOT!!!
Just listened to this album a few nights ago. An American treasure.
h8rhater wrote:
I love U2. Have for decades. My post history on these boards bears that out.
That said, they were a very little known band in 1980 and the Cars were a colossus with 3 platinum albums to their name. Their music was everywhere. There is no question that they were the headliner in that match up at that time.
There's quite a long list of bands who weren't well known opening for what now seem like lesser acts. Jimi Hendrix opened for the Monkees is one example.
I love U2. Have for decades. My post history on these boards bears that out.
That said, they were a very little known band in 1980 and the Cars were a colossus with 3 platinum albums to their name. Their music was everywhere. There is no question that they were the headliner in that match up at that time.
There's quite a long list of bands who weren't well known opening for what now seem like lesser acts. Jimi Hendrix opened for the Monkees is one example.
NewFee wrote:
it sounds totally rational to me
A song can never really be separated from its context and when you first heard it; time, place, friends, scene. An irrational 9 from me...
jp33442 wrote:
I was in 7th, and I was jamming to it. Luckily my family were big music heads, otherwise I would have missed out on a lot of great music!
I was in 8th grade when this song came out
I was in 7th, and I was jamming to it. Luckily my family were big music heads, otherwise I would have missed out on a lot of great music!
eileenomurphy wrote:
If I knew what you were saying, I'd probably agree! LOL! Somebody trasnlate!
"I don't think there really are a lot of good pieces from the Cars, but this is definitely one of them"
You're welcome!
If I knew what you were saying, I'd probably agree! LOL! Somebody trasnlate!
"I don't think there really are a lot of good pieces from the Cars, but this is definitely one of them"
You're welcome!
Svenskaskogen wrote:
If I knew what you were saying, I'd probably agree! LOL! Somebody trasnlate!
Ich finde, daß es nicht wirklich viele gute Stücke von den Cars gibt, aber das hier gehört definitiv dazu
If I knew what you were saying, I'd probably agree! LOL! Somebody trasnlate!
Let them leave you up in the air
Let them brush your rock and roll hair
Let the good times roll
Freaking awesome song.
More Cars, please.
ELLIOT EASTON
Always brings back good memories. Visiting a college roommate's home town and finding myself cruising along a country road with three other stoned kids and this album turned up to 11. This after spending four years on a Navy destroyer, so, different and amusing world for me at the time.
Svenskaskogen wrote:
totally
Ich finde, daß es nicht wirklich viele gute Stücke von den Cars gibt, aber das hier gehört definitiv dazu
totally
I was in 8th grade when this song came out
Ich finde, daß es nicht wirklich viele gute Stücke von den Cars gibt, aber das hier gehört definitiv dazu
eyeball wrote:
so much of the cars music was sarcastic and satirical. So that line is undoubtedly about big rock stars and their groupies.
"Let them brush your rock and roll hair" ?
WTF?
WTF?
so much of the cars music was sarcastic and satirical. So that line is undoubtedly about big rock stars and their groupies.
Typical 70s radio music. You listen and sing along but rarely buy. I had friends who did but I didn't. To me, bands like the Cars were part of the reason some say the '70s were a music wasteland. I don't agree, but they do make other better bands that much better by comparison.
Stop in the name of that which does not suck.
NewFee wrote:
Sounded highly rational to me.
A song can never really be separated from its context and when you first heard it; time, place, friends, scene. An irrational 9 from me...
Sounded highly rational to me.
memoryboxer wrote:
Yep, I remember how different their sound was from anything else I was hearing on the fairly eclectic station I tuned to in those days. A breath of fresh, and quirky, air.
: )
"Let the good times roll
Let them knock you around"
— The Cars, Good Times Roll
This was so fresh and different when it came out. They had a lovely high "Quirk Factor" that has always kept them on my 80s play lists.
Yep, I remember how different their sound was from anything else I was hearing on the fairly eclectic station I tuned to in those days. A breath of fresh, and quirky, air.
: )
"Let the good times roll
Let them knock you around"
— The Cars, Good Times Roll
"Let them brush your rock and roll hair" ?
WTF?
WTF?
Zoonhollis wrote:
Not irrational. This song is big. It's so quintessentially '80s, despite its 1978 release.
I'd say it's quintessential turn-of-the-decade, new wave arriving right before the 80s got swamped by drum machine beats.
Not irrational. This song is big. It's so quintessentially '80s, despite its 1978 release.
I'd say it's quintessential turn-of-the-decade, new wave arriving right before the 80s got swamped by drum machine beats.
It totally blows my mind that this is 42 years old... I've been jamming this album for that long, it just doesn't seem that old to me.
NewFee wrote:
Not irrational. This song is big. It's so quintessentially '80s, despite its 1978 release.
A song can never really be separated from its context and when you first heard it; time, place, friends, scene. An irrational 9 from me...
Not irrational. This song is big. It's so quintessentially '80s, despite its 1978 release.
lizardking wrote:
Moral of the story then is that U2 was too good to be an opener for the Cars in 1980. Good to know ;-)
I love U2. Have for decades. My post history on these boards bears that out.
That said, they were a very little known band in 1980 and the Cars were a colossus with 3 platinum albums to their name. Their music was everywhere. There is no question that they were the headliner in that match up at that time.
Moral of the story then is that U2 was too good to be an opener for the Cars in 1980. Good to know ;-)
I love U2. Have for decades. My post history on these boards bears that out.
That said, they were a very little known band in 1980 and the Cars were a colossus with 3 platinum albums to their name. Their music was everywhere. There is no question that they were the headliner in that match up at that time.
This was one of the bands that changed the direction of rock and roll forever
RIP RIc Ocasek and Benjamin Orr
Presumably they were being ironic with this, sounding for all the world like bad times, a real drag.
As opposed to Big Fun by Inner City, which managed to achieve the same thing unironically. (Probably a UK only comment.)
As opposed to Big Fun by Inner City, which managed to achieve the same thing unironically. (Probably a UK only comment.)
The usual contrived dullness from The Cars.
They put about as much effort into these lyrics as they did naming the band.
They put about as much effort into these lyrics as they did naming the band.
LPCity wrote:
They may not have thought this song was "depressing sounding" when they were writing it, or maybe it was some sort of some sort of contradictory irony they were going for.
I know this is one of their biggest, and most well know hits but I always thought it was one of the weakest cuts on the album.
Don't pick a depressing sounding song and call it "let the good times roll".
For the correct interpretation of good times rollin', see B.B. King.
Don't pick a depressing sounding song and call it "let the good times roll".
For the correct interpretation of good times rollin', see B.B. King.
They may not have thought this song was "depressing sounding" when they were writing it, or maybe it was some sort of some sort of contradictory irony they were going for.
This was so fresh and different when it came out. They had a lovely high "Quirk Factor" that has always kept them on my 80s play lists.
h8rhater wrote:
Saw the Cars around 1983 (their prime ?!?!?) at the Richmond Coliseum and they were fantastic on stage. They were nothing like robots - plenty of presence!! They shook the place UP and let the Good Times Roll.
Wang Chung opened up for them. Everybody had Fun that Night.
Ha, I caught that tour, that year too, with the Chung warming the stage for Ric and the boys. Great stuff.
Saw the Cars around 1983 (their prime ?!?!?) at the Richmond Coliseum and they were fantastic on stage. They were nothing like robots - plenty of presence!! They shook the place UP and let the Good Times Roll.
Wang Chung opened up for them. Everybody had Fun that Night.
Ha, I caught that tour, that year too, with the Chung warming the stage for Ric and the boys. Great stuff.
Such a sad loss. RIP Rick.
RIP Ric.....Let the good times roll in the afterlife! LLRP
xray38 wrote:
I remember this album being a standard at house parties during my teen years.
Thank you for the good times, Ric. They did indeed roll in no small part to you!
Huge part of the soundtrack of my youth. Never met him. Never knew him at all, really.
But I knew his music well, and that's more than enough to miss him and feel true sorrow at his passing..
But I knew his music well, and that's more than enough to miss him and feel true sorrow at his passing..
I remember this album being a standard at house parties during my teen years.
Thank you for the good times, Ric. They did indeed roll in no small part to you!
Huge part of the soundtrack of my youth. Never met him. Never knew him at all, really.
But I knew his music well, and that's more than enough to miss him and feel true sorrow at his passing..
But I knew his music well, and that's more than enough to miss him and feel true sorrow at his passing..
R. I. P. Mr. Ocasek. Now you can write perfect songs!
Interesting factoid I never knew - he produced Bad Brains "Rock for Light" album - a classic.
Critty wrote:
Indeed. Farewell Ric.
RIP Ric. Soundtrack to many good times as a teen.
Indeed. Farewell Ric.
RIP Ric. Soundtrack to many good times as a teen.
RIP Ric Ocasek
RIP Ric
whoa, just read on twitter about Ric's passing and here you are 2 minutes later playing probably my favorite memory filled Cars song, thanks for that, Bill. Godspeed Ric, thanks for the good times.
h8rhater wrote:
Saw the Cars around 1983 (their prime ?!?!?) at the Richmond Coliseum and they were fantastic on stage. They were nothing like robots - plenty of presence!! They shook the place UP and let the Good Times Roll.
Wang Chung opened up for them. Everybody had Fun that Night.
I saw them on that same tour when it came to Austin and have to agree...they were rockin'.
Saw the Cars around 1983 (their prime ?!?!?) at the Richmond Coliseum and they were fantastic on stage. They were nothing like robots - plenty of presence!! They shook the place UP and let the Good Times Roll.
Wang Chung opened up for them. Everybody had Fun that Night.
I saw them on that same tour when it came to Austin and have to agree...they were rockin'.
NewFee wrote:
The first song I ever listened to on a Sony Walkman. I thought technology had peaked. An irrational 8 from me.
A song can never really be separated from its context and when you first heard it; time, place, friends, scene. An irrational 9 from me...
The first song I ever listened to on a Sony Walkman. I thought technology had peaked. An irrational 8 from me.
h8rhater wrote:
Saw the Cars around 1983 (their prime ?!?!?) at the Richmond Coliseum and they were fantastic on stage. They were nothing like robots - plenty of presence!! They shook the place UP and let the Good Times Roll.
Wang Chung opened up for them. Everybody had Fun that Night.
Moral of the story then is that U2 was too good to be an opener for the Cars in 1980. Good to know ;-)
Saw the Cars around 1983 (their prime ?!?!?) at the Richmond Coliseum and they were fantastic on stage. They were nothing like robots - plenty of presence!! They shook the place UP and let the Good Times Roll.
Wang Chung opened up for them. Everybody had Fun that Night.
Moral of the story then is that U2 was too good to be an opener for the Cars in 1980. Good to know ;-)
Emwolb wrote:
Saw the Cars around 1983 (their prime ?!?!?) at the Richmond Coliseum and they were fantastic on stage. They were nothing like robots - plenty of presence!! They shook the place UP and let the Good Times Roll.
Wang Chung opened up for them. Everybody had Fun that Night.
Saw The Cars around 1980 (their prime ?!?!?) at the Beacon Theatre in NYC and they were like robots on the stage - no presence at all !!!
Thank God U2 opened for them - which could explain why The Cars seemed so dull since U2 blew the place away.
Thank God U2 opened for them - which could explain why The Cars seemed so dull since U2 blew the place away.
Saw the Cars around 1983 (their prime ?!?!?) at the Richmond Coliseum and they were fantastic on stage. They were nothing like robots - plenty of presence!! They shook the place UP and let the Good Times Roll.
Wang Chung opened up for them. Everybody had Fun that Night.
Let them brush your rock and roll hair? Now, there's some good times!
LPCity wrote:
"Depressing" may be in the ear of the beholder.
Don't pick a depressing sounding song and call it "let the good times roll".
"Depressing" may be in the ear of the beholder.
A song can never really be separated from its context and when you first heard it; time, place, friends, scene. An irrational 9 from me...
1. Adding healthy does of raging hormones to above scene!
Amazing LP at the time, we used it for demoing good stereos. Unusually, almost all the tracks on the album got FM airplay.
A song can never really be separated from its context and when you first heard it; time, place, friends, scene. An irrational 9 from me...
h8rhater wrote:
A reserved intensity should not be confused with a lack of emotion. This was a hallmark of New Wave at the time.
I definitely did NOT have this experience at the Richmond Coliseum in the spring of '84 when they were touring Heartbeat City. Fantastic show. Great album. Iconic band.
...and if I was lucky enough to see the Cars (in their prime) and U2 (on the rise) on the same bill, I doubt I would have come away crying about either. Half full/half empty, I guess.
h8....was the 1984 show in Richmond the one where Wang Chung opened? I was at that one but can't remember the exact time period. I do remember there were massive sound problems during the Wang Chung set...only heard about half of it. The Cars were stiff but very good, once the once the sound was fixed !!
A reserved intensity should not be confused with a lack of emotion. This was a hallmark of New Wave at the time.
I definitely did NOT have this experience at the Richmond Coliseum in the spring of '84 when they were touring Heartbeat City. Fantastic show. Great album. Iconic band.
...and if I was lucky enough to see the Cars (in their prime) and U2 (on the rise) on the same bill, I doubt I would have come away crying about either. Half full/half empty, I guess.
h8....was the 1984 show in Richmond the one where Wang Chung opened? I was at that one but can't remember the exact time period. I do remember there were massive sound problems during the Wang Chung set...only heard about half of it. The Cars were stiff but very good, once the once the sound was fixed !!
this song always seems WAY too slow and repetitive...other songs from the Cars are much better rock songs
I know this is one of their biggest, and most well know hits but I always thought it was one of the weakest cuts on the album.
Don't pick a depressing sounding song and call it "let the good times roll".
For the correct interpretation of good times rollin', see B.B. King.
Don't pick a depressing sounding song and call it "let the good times roll".
For the correct interpretation of good times rollin', see B.B. King.
Ahhh...Memories!
I saw the Cars live at the US Festival in 1982 thanks to Steve Wozniak. They were notorious for being a little stiff and mechanical on stage (which they were) and therefore not putting on the best show. But by today's standards, I would go to one of their shows in a heartbeat and love it more than almost any band touring today!
I saw the Cars live at the US Festival in 1982 thanks to Steve Wozniak. They were notorious for being a little stiff and mechanical on stage (which they were) and therefore not putting on the best show. But by today's standards, I would go to one of their shows in a heartbeat and love it more than almost any band touring today!
Let em roll.
Hard to understand the lack of love for this. I remember when this came out, and groundbreaking it was.
Recommended: search YouTube for "The New Cars" and that brilliant brief period where Todd and Kasim and Prairie Prince joined the band. Saw them live (Blondie opening) and it was great stuff. Too bad there was a bus accident, Easton broke his arm, and the project fell apart. It was something.
And let this tune lead to PSD button.
Emwolb wrote:
djengs wrote:
Yeah, I had the same experience. I think they just wanted to be a studio band. It seemed like they made some nasty compromise to get the record out. Not much else explains their total lack of emotion onstage, though I have to admit they sounded great. Just seemed like you may as well have skipped the concert and just played the album. At least you could imagine them getting into it, and not have them destroy the illusion in front of you.
Outstanding first effort, though. Great pop band there for a while.
A reserved intensity should not be confused with a lack of emotion. This was a hallmark of New Wave at the time.
I definitely did NOT have this experience at the Richmond Coliseum in the spring of '84 when they were touring Heartbeat City. Fantastic show. Great album. Iconic band.
...and if I was lucky enough to see the Cars (in their prime) and U2 (on the rise) on the same bill, I doubt I would have come away crying about either. Half full/half empty, I guess.
Saw The Cars around 1980 (their prime ?!?!?) at the Beacon Theatre in NYC and they were like robots on the stage - no presence at all !!!
Thank God U2 opened for them - which could explain why The Cars seemed so dull since U2 blew the place away.
Yeah, I had the same experience. I think they just wanted to be a studio band. It seemed like they made some nasty compromise to get the record out. Not much else explains their total lack of emotion onstage, though I have to admit they sounded great. Just seemed like you may as well have skipped the concert and just played the album. At least you could imagine them getting into it, and not have them destroy the illusion in front of you.
Outstanding first effort, though. Great pop band there for a while.
A reserved intensity should not be confused with a lack of emotion. This was a hallmark of New Wave at the time.
I definitely did NOT have this experience at the Richmond Coliseum in the spring of '84 when they were touring Heartbeat City. Fantastic show. Great album. Iconic band.
...and if I was lucky enough to see the Cars (in their prime) and U2 (on the rise) on the same bill, I doubt I would have come away crying about either. Half full/half empty, I guess.
Let them brush your rock 'n roll hair.....
and roll they did! 
Love it, love it...great sing along & groove
big stud romeotuma wrote:
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of elevators loves this song, and this whole classic album... we be dancing like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners... time flies when we're having fun... love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...
This song is soooo gooood for the ears...
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of elevators loves this song, and this whole classic album... we be dancing like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners... time flies when we're having fun... love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...
From this album on; a fan from day one.
Emwolb wrote:
Yeah, I had the same experience. I think they just wanted to be a studio band. It seemed like they made some nasty compromise to get the record out. Not much else explains their total lack of emotion onstage, though I have to admit they sounded great. Just seemed like you may as well have skipped the concert and just played the album. At least you could imagine them getting into it, and not have them destroy the illusion in front of you.
Outstanding first effort, though. Great pop band there for a while.
Saw The Cars around 1980 (their prime ?!?!?) at the Beacon Theatre in NYC and they were like robots on the stage - no presence at all !!!
Thank God U2 opened for them - which could explain why The Cars seemed so dull since U2 blew the place away.
Yeah, I had the same experience. I think they just wanted to be a studio band. It seemed like they made some nasty compromise to get the record out. Not much else explains their total lack of emotion onstage, though I have to admit they sounded great. Just seemed like you may as well have skipped the concert and just played the album. At least you could imagine them getting into it, and not have them destroy the illusion in front of you.
Outstanding first effort, though. Great pop band there for a while.
Saw The Cars around 1980 (their prime ?!?!?) at the Beacon Theatre in NYC and they were like robots on the stage - no presence at all !!!
Thank God U2 opened for them - which could explain why The Cars seemed so dull since U2 blew the place away.
aspicer wrote:
Not in 1978?! Cutting edge, but you may be too young to know so you get a pass...
Exactly,,, has to be viewed in the context of time and place,,,
Not in 1978?! Cutting edge, but you may be too young to know so you get a pass...
Exactly,,, has to be viewed in the context of time and place,,,
Dullsville- how anyone could be proud of lyrics like these, let alone the dull and intensely repetitive "music" that accompanies them. The contrast with the Little Feat track that came before is quite dramatic in terms of how to make music with real soul and funk.
it just drags
doesn't sound like anything is rolling let alone the good times
doesn't sound like anything is rolling let alone the good times
good golly...
ppopp wrote:
Not in 1978?! Cutting edge, but you may be too young to know so you get a pass...
What a bunch of generic crap.
Not in 1978?! Cutting edge, but you may be too young to know so you get a pass...
CLASSIC! 6.4 really??
I remember in the 90's or whenever the local KC oldies station would play the Police, but not the Cars and i gave them a small piece of my mind. Nice rock-pop music from my youth and let's give Ric kudos for capturing Paulina Porizkova, a beauty and the beast story if ever there was one :)
What a bunch of generic crap.
very positive synth-wankery-osity : )
Yes indeed The Cars were THE band to play to show that you were hip...We had Cheap Trick, The Who, Talking Heads, BOC, Floyd, Stones, etc. but these guys showed us all how to get to The Next Level of Cool. Never failed: hop in the Cutlass, gas it up, get some beer, roll some doobies, park in The Park, toss the Frizz, and LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL! We knew, even then, this was The Best!
Let them brush your rock 'n' roll hair? Huh. I never heard that line before. Or I did and thought I was mishearing things.
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
I was nowhere near enough to the stage for the "show" to matter but it sounded great. I had a good time. I can see them being not very engaging but it's not as though they were lousy musicians. I remember a little too much synth-wankery from Greg Hawkes but that's a different thing.
My latest favorite term...synth-wankery.
I'll have to use it the next time I hear Howard Jones and/or The Thompson Twins playing on the crappy music track at my local sandwich shop.
I was nowhere near enough to the stage for the "show" to matter but it sounded great. I had a good time. I can see them being not very engaging but it's not as though they were lousy musicians. I remember a little too much synth-wankery from Greg Hawkes but that's a different thing.
My latest favorite term...synth-wankery.
I'll have to use it the next time I hear Howard Jones and/or The Thompson Twins playing on the crappy music track at my local sandwich shop.
This is what happens when you give a nerd a synthesizer. ... and then they off'n marry a super-model.
I say give more nerds synthesizers! Good times...
I say give more nerds synthesizers! Good times...
Good song, but tired, tired, tired.....
jstrait wrote:
Reminds me of the Summer of '79
I'm loving Bills recent "CARS" flashback kick. Keep it up Bill! Ahhh Reminds me of summer '86 Damn I'm getting old...
Reminds me of the Summer of '79
I'm loving Bills recent "CARS" flashback kick. Keep it up Bill! Ahhh Reminds me of summer '86 Damn I'm getting old...
squidish wrote:
Wow, the exact same thing happened at my high school (I graduated in '79). It came down to a vote between "Won't Get Fooled" and "Good Times" and the Cars won out.
I actually wanted Todd Rundgren's "Just One Victory" but that was a bit too obscure.
Our high school wanted "Won't Get Fooled Again" by the Who as our class song. This was overruled, so we decided on Let the Good Times Roll. At the time it seemed like a poor second, but hearing this again tonight makes me realize what a cool song this is.
Wow, the exact same thing happened at my high school (I graduated in '79). It came down to a vote between "Won't Get Fooled" and "Good Times" and the Cars won out.
I actually wanted Todd Rundgren's "Just One Victory" but that was a bit too obscure.
I'm giving this a 9 for all the great memories of high school this song brings back! My LP is so used I had to buy the CD. Good times....good times 
On_The_Beach wrote:
I've seen hundreds of concerts and I'd agree that the Cars are one of the worst live acts I've ever seen.
I was nowhere near enough to the stage for the "show" to matter but it sounded great. I had a good time. I can see them being not very engaging but it's not as though they were lousy musicians. I remember a little too much synth-wankery from Greg Hawkes but that's a different thing.
I've seen hundreds of concerts and I'd agree that the Cars are one of the worst live acts I've ever seen.
I was nowhere near enough to the stage for the "show" to matter but it sounded great. I had a good time. I can see them being not very engaging but it's not as though they were lousy musicians. I remember a little too much synth-wankery from Greg Hawkes but that's a different thing.
dsmcd01 wrote:
Have to agree! Love their songs but one of the most lifeless bands ever. They were like cardboard cut-outs of themselves. No stage presence whatsoever! Could have stayed home with headphones on, fired up a J, and had better visuals in my head!
Makes me wonder if we were at the same show together. If I didn't know better I'd have thought all their "Let the good times roll" was sarcastic in a Talking Heads way. Boring show. No life in it. No attempt at connecting to the audience. If you're still in Clevetown, say howdy for me. Been a while since I've been home. D.
Have to agree! Love their songs but one of the most lifeless bands ever. They were like cardboard cut-outs of themselves. No stage presence whatsoever! Could have stayed home with headphones on, fired up a J, and had better visuals in my head!
GolfRomeo wrote:
I've seen hundreds of concerts and I'd agree that the Cars are one of the worst live acts I've ever seen. Gotta love that first album, though.
I remember being so disillusioned when I finally got to see them live in Cleveland on the Heartbreak City tour. Worst concert I ever saw. I drove 3 hours to the show, for the pleasure of 54 minutes of mechanical playing and utter boredom of the band. Rik Ocasak spoke 3 words: Hi, Good, Bye. No encore, and two of the band members left the stage before the final song was even over.
I've seen hundreds of concerts and I'd agree that the Cars are one of the worst live acts I've ever seen. Gotta love that first album, though.
Our high school wanted "Won't Get Fooled Again" by the Who as our class song. This was overruled, so we decided on Let the Good Times Roll. At the time it seemed like a poor second, but hearing this again tonight makes me realize what a cool song this is.
h8rhater wrote:
It was the 70's.
The 80s were the 70s... with more cynicism and bigger hair. And parachute pants.
It was the 70's.
The 80s were the 70s... with more cynicism and bigger hair. And parachute pants.
dsmcd01 wrote:
Maybe it's because they were in the "Mistake By the Lake" and it got them down.
Saw them elsewhere on that tour and they were fantastic.
Makes me wonder if we were at the same show together. If I didn't know better I'd have thought all their "Let the good times roll" was sarcastic in a Talking Heads way. Boring show. No life in it. No attempt at connecting to the audience. If you're still in Clevetown, say howdy for me. Been a while since I've been home. D.
Maybe it's because they were in the "Mistake By the Lake" and it got them down.
Saw them elsewhere on that tour and they were fantastic.
Mandible wrote:
It was the 70's.
wow, get a load of that chick on the album cover! Looks like that would never fly in 2009......I love the 80's.
It was the 70's.
romeotuma wrote:
This song is soooo gooood for the ears...
Are you an Otologist, by any chance? Or is it just a general ear fetish?
This song is soooo gooood for the ears...
Are you an Otologist, by any chance? Or is it just a general ear fetish?
Saw the Cars around 1983 (their prime ?!?!?) at the Richmond Coliseum and they were fantastic on stage. They were nothing like robots - plenty of presence!! They shook the place UP and let the Good Times Roll.
Wang Chung opened up for them. Everybody had Fun that Night.