tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126042325422293178.post1658053973596444387..comments2023-06-27T05:11:33.993-07:00Comments on 20,000 Songs: SONG #130: Touch And GoJeff Symondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15870926325441551004noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126042325422293178.post-66056434782341396892010-07-20T17:47:28.654-07:002010-07-20T17:47:28.654-07:00I've really come around on the early Cars in m...I've really come around on the early Cars in my dotage.. in particular, Greg Hawkes' keyboards. The song-craft is just fantastic -- when the keyboard kicks in after the second chorus on bye bye love it gets me every time. <br /><br />I'm drawn more to the restraint of the arrangements... it's almost like a pop steely dan. I think Roy T Baker had a big hand in the signature sound, and on Rick's later producing style.<br /><br />But I agree, the later stuff is dreck. I can't listen to anything off Heartbeat City without getting indigestion. The 80s gone rancid. Screw Mutt Lange.Colin Rulehttp://odr.info/rule.phpnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126042325422293178.post-87866065019264895452010-07-19T19:16:39.934-07:002010-07-19T19:16:39.934-07:00That's a great call, Rob-- really similar intr...That's a great call, Rob-- really similar intros!Jeff Symondshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15870926325441551004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126042325422293178.post-79275467375159772202010-07-18T20:15:03.372-07:002010-07-18T20:15:03.372-07:00Wow, this song's music strongly reminded me of...Wow, this song's music strongly reminded me of (and, looking at the dates on Wikipedia, might have inspired) the Police's "Spirits in the Material World"<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBvdHXChNqY<br /><br />They're even in the same key! Only difference is the Police tune goes to iv in the chorus rather than moving to the relative major. Sting, you hack!Rob Dietrichnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126042325422293178.post-50029091530524761482010-07-18T13:03:36.250-07:002010-07-18T13:03:36.250-07:00I think you've been fooled! The drums and bas...I think you've been fooled! The drums and bass might suggest 5/4 in Artsy Cars, but if you count the beats from the beginning in 4/4 (the keyboards being on the off beat and alternating between four minor seconds and four minor thirds, or suspension to resolution) there are no extra beats. The vocals make more sense that way too, always starting on the downbeat with two bars between lines. There's a odd sophistication to The Cars, going back to the first track on their first album:<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QeJDiDvTEE<br /><br />It took me a a few times to finally hear where the one is; even the Hit Cars can be artsy. I knew all that music theory would come in handy one day.<br /><br />The video for "Magic" on the other hand... I wish I hadn't seen that.b3playrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00844302017784013959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9126042325422293178.post-2993693549196988752010-07-18T12:54:38.159-07:002010-07-18T12:54:38.159-07:00I love that you chose this song, shows your overal...I love that you chose this song, shows your overall feelings for the band. I really don't much care for this song, but after taking a 15 year break from the rest of their catalogue I've been LOVING rediscovering their big hits with my daughters. I totally agree with Richard Love, those hit songs are PACKED with beautiful little touches. The claps at the outset of Best Friends Girlfriend are one of the ALL TIME great starts to a song, and Ocasek just packs one great moment after another. I'm sure you're 100% right about the reaction of the band to this record, let alone the reaction of the record company. In some ways it is sad for me that Ocasek felt the need to break from doing what he did best. The world never has enough just pure pop genius for my money.Benbarton1https://www.blogger.com/profile/06167737587892657199noreply@blogger.com