Ocasek released his first solo album in 1982. Beatitude is a somewhat more experimental variation of The Cars' New Wave rock sound. A more synthesizer-heavy follow up, This Side Of Paradise, was released in 1986. A minor hit, "Emotion In Motion" accompanied the album.
The Cars split in 1987, and Ocasek disappeared from the public eye for several years, resurfacing in 1990 with Fireball Zone. One track, "Rockaway", enjoyed a brief stay on the charts, but his solo albums have seen disappointing sales, especially compared to his success with the Cars. He subsequently released other solo works throughout the decade, including 1993's Quick Change World, 1996's Getchertikitz (a collaboration with Suicide's Alan Vega), and 1997's Billy Corgan-produced Troublizing (which Ocasek supported with a very brief tour, his first since leaving the Cars). In 2005, Ocasek released another album, Nexterday, to little fanfare but positive reviews.
In 2010, Ocasek reunited with the surviving original members of The Cars to record their first album in 24 years, titled Move Like This, which came out on May 10, 2011.
Come Back
Ric Ocasek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're gonna be out thumbing
Looking for another reason
To follow it, follow it through
I know you think you're winning
Everything you've ever given
I can tell you one thing true
I'm stalling for falling for you
Know that it's not your fault
You can be a little blind sometimes
So won't you come back, come back
Instant replay, come back
Don't you kiss those dreams away
Come back, come back
You've been falling away for so long
So long, so long, so long
So long, so long, so long, ah, yeah
You can reserve opinion
You can keep the heads a-spinning
Doesn't matter what you do
You're keeping it in the fire
Tell me if it really matters
Tell me if you're getting shattered
Tell me if you're satisfied
Feeling so starry-eyed
Come in for a little while
I know that it's not your style
No such thing as self denial for you
Oh, won't you come back, come back
Instant replay, come back, yeah
I need you every day
Come back, come back
You've been away for so long
So long, so long, so long
So long, so long, so long, ah, yeah
I guess the time is coming
You're going to be out thumbing
Looking for the other side
Feeling so starry-eyed
You know it takes a couple of tries
I know sometimes you talk with your eyes
I know you keep it all inside sometimes
Oh, won't you come back, come back
Instant replay, come back
Oh, don't you kiss those dreams away
Come back, come back
You've been far enough away for so long
So long, so long, so long
Come back
Instant replay, come back, yeah
Won't you come back
Every day, babe, I need you
I need you
In Ric Ocasek’s song “Come Back,” the lyrics appear to be addressing someone who has been gone for a while and is now contemplating returning. The singer expresses concern that this person has been “falling away for so long.” They note that this individual may be searching for “another reason” to keep going, and that they can sometimes be “a little blind.” Despite this, the singer is clearly eager for this person to return, urging them to “come back” repeatedly throughout the chorus.
The lyrics suggest that the person may have been feeling lost or disillusioned, perhaps struggling to find a sense of purpose or direction. The singer acknowledges that this is not their fault, and that they may have been “keeping it in the fire,” which could be interpreted as either burning themselves out or keeping themselves motivated through a difficult time. Overall, the song seems to be offering encouragement to someone who has been struggling, reminding them that they are loved and missed and urging them to come back to the people who care about them.
Line by Line Meaning
I guess the time is coming
It seems like the time is near
You're gonna be out thumbing
You'll likely be hitchhiking
Looking for another reason
Searching for a new purpose
To follow it, follow it through
To pursue it to the end
I know you think you're winning
You believe that you're succeeding
Everything you've ever given
All you've ever provided
I can tell you one thing true
I can assure you of one thing
I'm stalling for falling for you
I'm hesitant in falling in love with you
But take it with a grain of salt
Please don't take it too seriously
Know that it's not your fault
You're not to blame
You can be a little blind sometimes
Sometimes you can be unaware
So won't you come back, come back
Can you return, return?
Instant replay, come back
Replay the moment, come back
Don't you kiss those dreams away
Please don't discard your aspirations
You've been falling away for so long
You've been drifting away for a while
So long, so long, so long, ah, yeah
It's been a long time
You can reserve opinion
You can keep your thoughts to yourself
You can keep the heads a-spinning
You can confuse people
Doesn't matter what you do
It doesn't make a difference what you do
You're keeping it in the fire
You're keeping the flame alive
Tell me if it really matters
Does it truly matter?
Tell me if you're getting shattered
Let me know if you're breaking down
Tell me if you're satisfied
Are you content?
Feeling so starry-eyed
Feeling amazed or dreamy
Come in for a little while
Stay for a brief moment
I know that it's not your style
I know that's not typically how you behave
No such thing as self-denial for you
You don't deny yourself anything
You know it takes a couple of tries
You realize that it takes some attempts
I know sometimes you talk with your eyes
I know you communicate with your eyes
I know you keep it all inside sometimes
I know you internalize your feelings sometimes
Oh, won't you come back, come back
Can you return, return?
Instant replay, come back, yeah
Replay the moment, come back, yeah
I need you every day
I need you each day
You've been away for so long
You've been gone for a long time
Come back
Return
Every day, babe, I need you
I need you every day
Contributed by Ruby F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.