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.
Mystery
Ric Ocasek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I will dream the nights we spend
She likes attention and some proof
Her apprehension tells the truth
But I still feel the same
Lost like tears in the rain
I love the mystery of you
And all in time
I will make you mine
You're devastating in the dark
You could be tearing me apart
But I still feel the same
Lost like tears in the rain
I love the mystery of you
I love the mystery of you
But keep in mind that love's the clue
And keep in mind that it's all for you
It's all for you
And when she wakes up from her sleep
I want to tell her it's for keeps
But I still feel the same
Lost like tears in the rain
I love the mystery of you
I love the mystery of you
But I still feel the same
I love the mystery of you
But I still feel the same
I love the mystery of you
The lyrics of Ric Ocasek's song Mystery reflect the singer's adoration for a woman who he finds mysterious and enigmatic. The opening lines "I'll catch you one time if I can, And I will dream the nights we spend" suggest that the singer wants to engage with this woman on a deeper level, but he finds it hard to do as she prefers to keep her distance. The next line "She likes attention and some proof, Her apprehension tells the truth" highlights the woman's conflicting emotions, as she craves attention from the singer but is wary at the same time.
The chorus "But I still feel the same, Lost like tears in the rain, I love the mystery of you" reveals that despite the woman's complex personality, the singer is still drawn to her and enjoys the sense of mystery. The repetition of the word 'love' emphasizes the importance of the woman to the singer. In the second verse, the line "You're devastating in the dark, You could be tearing me apart" suggests that the woman's behavior might be hurting the singer, but he still cannot resist her. The final lines "But keep in mind that love's the clue, And keep in mind that it's all for you, It's all for you" convey the singer's commitment to the woman, as he wants to remind her that everything he does is for her.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll catch you one time if I can
I will try to capture your attention and affection when given the opportunity
And I will dream the nights we spend
I will picture and imagine the moments we share together in my dreams
She likes attention and some proof
The person I am interested in craves validation and reassurance
Her apprehension tells the truth
Her reluctance to fully commit to me indicates her true feelings
But I still feel the same
Despite the challenges, my feelings for this person remain unchanged
Lost like tears in the rain
My emotions are in a state of confusion and uncertainty
I love the mystery of you
I am intrigued and attracted to the enigmatic nature of this person
And all in time
Eventually, in due course
I will make you mine
I will eventually win over and possess the affections of this person
You're devastating in the dark
You have the power to affect me deeply, even in the absence of light or clarity
You could be tearing me apart
Your unpredictable behavior and emotions have the potential to cause me great pain
But keep in mind that love's the clue
Remember that love should guide our actions and intentions
And keep in mind that it's all for you
Everything I am doing and feeling is for the sake of winning your affection and love
And when she wakes up from her sleep
When this person finally realizes and acknowledges their true feelings
I want to tell her it's for keeps
I want to express my commitment and desire for a long-lasting relationship with her
But I still feel the same
Despite all the complications, my feelings for this person remain steadfast
I love the mystery of you
I remain drawn and captivated by the secrets and complexity of this person
But I still feel the same
My love and devotion to this person are unwavering
I love the mystery of you
The mysterious and enigmatic nature of this person continues to fascinate and enchant me
Contributed by Addison L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.