Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018! Ranking of The Cars’ most popular songs
The Cars are a rock band from the United States whose name was chosen because all the members are car enthusiasts.
Right from their debut, they steadily built their reputation, earning a platinum disc, reaching No.
3 on the U.
S.
album chart, and even receiving a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.
Another appeal is their experimental approach, changing their musical style with each album.
Here, we present a ranking of The Cars’ most popular songs—have fun choosing which era’s tracks you like best!
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018! Ranking of The Cars’ most popular songs
DriveThe Cars1rank/position
The Cars, a band that took the world by storm with a sound that fused new wave and rock.
Their cool, synth-heavy style still captivates many fans today.
Among their works, the ballad from the album Heartbeat City is one to savor on an autumn night.
The song gently addresses someone who has lost their way, depicting a worldview where deep compassion mingles with resignation.
Bassist Benjamin Orr’s sweet, mellow vocals blend with the plaintive synth tones to deliver a poignantly moving experience.
Its iconic use at Live Aid in 1985 also makes this piece particularly special.
Spending an autumn evening alone, listening closely to this track—highly recommended.
You Might ThinkThe Cars2rank/position
Speaking of the ’80s, it was the heyday of MTV, but the landmark song that beat out Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” to win the very first MTV Video Music Awards’ “Video of the Year” was “You Might Think”! The video, which made extensive use of what was then rare computer graphics, was groundbreaking, and it’s a visual work packed with the band’s innovation alongside an ultra-pop, catchy track.
“You Might Think” is one of the signature hits released in 1984 by The Cars, a leading new wave band active from the late ’70s to the mid-’80s.
With live performances on par with their studio recordings, the outstanding songwriting talent of Ric Ocasek—who would later shine as a producer for bands like Weezer—and a lineup of distinctive members, they not only wrote great songs but also had a strong commitment to visuals and artwork, making them a wonderful band that balanced artistry with commercial success.
Be sure to check out the MVs for their other songs too!
My Best Friend’s GirlThe Cars3rank/position
It’s a single released by the American band The Cars in October 1978, opening with a rockabilly-style guitar riff and handclaps, and marked by a catchy melody and ironic lyrics.
Included on the band’s debut album, The Cars, the track became a major hit, reaching No.
35 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No.
3 in the UK.
Its universal theme—painfully discovering that your best friend’s current girlfriend is actually your ex—has enduring appeal, and combined with its innovative blend of new wave and power pop, it continues to captivate listeners today.
Featured on the soundtrack of the 1979 film Over the Edge, this song is recommended not only for anyone nursing a broken heart, but also as great driving music.
Shake it upThe Cars4rank/position
A party song written by frontman Ric Ocasek.
It features synthesizer and drum machine sounds.
It is the title track of an album released in 1981 by the American rock band The Cars.
Bye Bye loveThe Cars5rank/position
A song from American new wave rock band The Cars’ 1978 debut album.
Written by singer-songwriter and bandleader Ric Ocasek, it is sung by bassist Benjamin Orr.
Let’s GoThe Cars6rank/position
The Cars were a rock band active from the late 1970s through the 1980s.
They’ve got a devoted cult following even in Japan.
Among their works, the one I especially recommend is Let’s Go.
The Cars were one of the defining bands of the New Wave movement, but this track is relatively accessible compared to some of their other songs.
It certainly carries that quirky New Wave atmosphere, but there aren’t sudden key changes like in progressive rock, so even listeners who aren’t deeply into rock should find it very enjoyable.
Just What I NeededThe Cars7rank/position
Swapping in as the punk rock boom faded, the genre known as “New Wave,” which surged in popularity from the late 1970s to the early 1980s, had many subgenres and an admittedly vague definition.
True to its name, it was a new musical style that incorporated a wide range of elements—electronic music, disco, world music, and even contemporary classical—into traditional rock and pop.
The Cars, the subject of this piece, debuted in that New Wave era and became a worldwide hit-making American band, known for their innovative musicality and highly polished live performances said to be indistinguishable from their studio recordings.
Their 1978 debut single “Just What I Needed”—released in Japan under the striking title “Moeru Yokubō” (“Burning Desire”)—is both a signature song and a bona fide classic.
Benjamin Orr, the handsome bassist and vocalist, delivered a sweet vocal, and the irresistibly catchy melody, loud guitars, and ringing keyboard lines were greeted with astonishment as a fresh style that somehow hadn’t existed before.