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.
True to you
Ric Ocasek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And they're keeping you down
But still you're feeling the ties
Slipping and a sliding
Through the lost and found
In your Egyptian disguise
Oh, what a thrill it is to see you
Oh, oh, what do you say
Can't live over yesterday
I carry you in my heart
And sometimes the memory smarts, yeah
(True to you)
I'm true to you
If you really think you want my love
I'm true to you
(True to you)
I'm true to you
Well, you never really wanted
What you already had
But still what do you got
Every little feeling
That you tend to bend
You keep it held in a slot, yeah
What a thrill it is to see you
But I forgot your name
Oh, oh, it's alright
You never wanna feel contrite
I carry you in my heart
But sometimes, honey, the memory smarts, yeah
(True to you)
I'm true to you
If you really think you want my love
I'm true to you
(True to you)
I'm true to you
Oh, oh, what can you say
Can't live over yesterday
I carry you in my heart
But sometimes, darling, the memory smarts, yeah
(True to you)
Oh, I'm true to you
If you really think you want my love
I'm true to you
(True to you)
I'm true to you
I'm true to you
(True to you)
If you really think you want my love
I'm true to you
(True to you)
It's only you I'm thinking of
I'm true to you
(True to you)
If you really think you want my love
I'm true to you
(True to you)
It's only you I'm thinking of
I'm true to you
I'm true to you
(True to you)
(True to you)
I'm true to you
(True to you)
I'm true to you
(True to you)
The song "True to You" by Ric Ocasek is about being loyal to someone even when they are no longer the person you once knew. The opening lines, "Well, you look just like a stranger, and they're keeping you down, but still you're feeling the ties slipping and a sliding," suggest that the person the song is addressing has changed and is being held back from their true identity. Meanwhile, the singer of the song is still holding onto their feelings for this person even though they are unrecognizable.
The chorus, "I'm true to you, if you really think you want my love," reinforces the idea that the singer is willing to stick by this person through thick and thin, as long as they truly want their love. The lines "But sometimes the memory smarts, yeah" and "I carry you in my heart, but sometimes, honey, the memory smarts, yeah" suggest that the singer is struggling with the fact that the person they love has changed, and perhaps even developed new relationships, but they still hold onto their memories of them.
Overall, "True to You" is a heartfelt song about loyalty and sticking by someone through anything. It acknowledges that people change, but that our emotions and memories can hold onto the people we once knew.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, you look just like a stranger
You seem unfamiliar and distant
And they're keeping you down
Outside forces are holding you back
But still you're feeling the ties
Despite this, you remain connected to something
Slipping and a sliding
Struggling and losing control
Through the lost and found
Navigating life's ups and downs
In your Egyptian disguise
Masking your true self
I carry you in my heart
You hold a special place in my life
And sometimes the memory smarts, yeah
I am reminded of past pain or hurt
(True to you)
I am devoted to you
If you really think you want my love
If you are willing to accept my devotion
Well, you never really wanted
You were never satisfied with what you had
What you already had
Your current situation or possessions
But still what do you got
Despite this, you have very little
Every little feeling
All of your emotions
That you tend to bend
That you often suppress or deny
You keep it held in a slot, yeah
You keep it locked inside
Oh, oh, it's alright
It's okay
You never wanna feel contrite
You don't want to feel remorseful
Oh, oh, what can you say
What is there to do?
It's only you I'm thinking of
You are the only one on my mind
Contributed by Lauren V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@robertsleeth861
RIP Ric. The Cars are my favorite band, have loved them since the '80s. This Side of Paradise is one of my favorite albums.
@JohnSmith-vs4uh
I totally agree!!!
@KIKINITCHITA
Moi aussi!
@bigguy418
One of Ric's best songs !!. I could listen to this song forever and not get tired of it. Glad to see him and the guys back together. True talent that makes the world a better place because of their "Music". R.I.P. Ben.
@Sol_Cabbie
Ric fue un poeta musical, como lo es Simon Le Bon. Ambos tienen estilo, además de ser iconos del new wave.
Q.E.P.D. Ric Ocasek, un símbolo de la música de los '80.
@burlingtonbill1
Superb song by a true musical genius !
@renovacionxxiadministracio5902
Descansa en paz querido amigo. Muchos te recordaremos con afecto y gran devoción.
@tc699
Could Ric Ocasek make a bad song? No. This is yet more evidence of his abilities. We miss you, Ric!
@elaineewalt8137
This song has always had a sort of haunting quality about it. Only from the 80's... R.I.P. Rick. 👍💗🎶🎼🎤
@redskies4530
Hi I Recommend an indie rock Song Called 'Looking into the mirror' by Robert Nix