1) The Cars is a popul… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name:
1) The Cars is a popular American new wave/power pop band that formed in 1976, after going through several different incarnations. The band was founded in Boston, Massachusetts and were signed to Elektra Records in 1977. The band originally consisted of David Robinson (drummer), Benjamin Orr (singer/bassist), Ric Ocasek (singer/rhythm guitarist), Elliot Easton (lead guitarist), Greg Hawkes (keyboardist).
During their career, they have released seven albums: The Cars (1978), Candy-O (1979), Panorama (1980), Shake It Up (1981), Heartbeat City (1984), Door to Door (1987) and Move Like This (2011). The first five of these albums all were certified platinum by the RIAA, and their self-titled debut was one of the best-selling albums of the 1970s, remaining on the Billboard album charts for over a year. They experienced a second wave of popularity in 1984 with the album Heartbeat City and the popular MTV staples"You Might Think," "Magic," and "Drive," the last of which was their highest-charting single, peaking at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1985, the group released a greatest hits album, which contained "Tonight She Comes", a mega-hit that reached #1 on the Billboard 'Top Rock Tracks'. However, after that peak, they vanished from the public eye and worked on solo projects, and released one final album, Door to Door, before breaking up in early 1988.
Benjamin Orr died of pancreatic cancer in October 2000. Guitarist Elliot Easton played in a surf music group and joined a touring act called Creedence Clearwater Revisted with ex-members of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Lead vocalist Ric Ocasek married supermodel Paulina Porizkova not long after The Cars' breakup and has since become a prolific producer, working on albums by such diverse artists as Bad Brains,Weezer, Guided by Voices and No Doubt. He has also released a number of solo albums, including 2005's Nexterday. Greg Hawkes and Elliot Easton have recently teamed up with Todd Rundgren and his rhythm section as The New Cars; they have released a live album and are currently touring. Ocasek gave the band his support but otherwise is not involved.
The remaining members reunited in 2010 to record a new album, titled Move Like This, which was released on May 10, 2011. The first single from the album was Sad Song. It was released to radio on March 1, 2011. (Source Songfacts)
2) Cars is an experimental group from the UK consisting of Patrick Farmer and Pascal Nichols.
Heartbeat City
The Cars Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And happy days count on thumbs
And nothin' really gets us down
As long as Jacki's back in town
I'm glad you made it
I can't complain
What took you so long
On just a holiday
Oh Jacki (oh Jacki)
What took you so long
I thought you knew the way
(Heartbeat city)
The noise electric
Never stops
And all you need
Is what you got
And there's a place for everyone
Under Heartbeat City's golden sun
(Jacki)
Oh Jacki
(What took you so long)
What took you so long
On just a holiday
Oh Jacki (Jacki)
(What took you so long)
What took you so long
I thought you knew the way
Oh, yeah yeah yeah
You know, I'm glad you made it
I can't complain
I missed you so badly
When you jumped that train
(Oh Jacki) oh Jacki
(What took you so long)
What took you so long
On just a holiday
Oh Jacki (Jacki)
(What took you so long)
What took you so long
(Thought you knew the way)
I thought you blew away
(Heartbeat City)
Oh Heartbeat City
Lights at night
(Heartbeat City)
It's getting closer
Out of sight
(Heartbeat City)
Heartbeat City's on the loose
(Heartbeat City)
Better catch
The blue caboose
Oh, huh, Heartbeat City
It's my life
(Heartbeat city)
(Heartbeat city)
(Heartbeat city)
"Heartbeat City" by The Cars is a lively and energetic song that serves as the title track and opener of their 1984 album. The song portrays a sense of excitement and celebration as the band and their friends (including the titular Jacki) head to Heartbeat City, a place where everyone can find their place under the "golden sun" and where "nothin' really gets us down." The band members are glad to be reunited with Jacki after her mysterious absence, and they sing exuberantly about the electric energy of the city and the freedom that it brings.
The lyrics of "Heartbeat City" are relatively straightforward, with the repetition of the chorus and the refrain of "Jacki, what took you so long?" giving the song a catchy, sing-along quality. The song captures the spirit of the colorful and carefree 1980s, with its synth-heavy instrumentation, upbeat rhythm, and optimistic lyrics. It is a testament to The Cars' ability to create catchy, memorable pop songs that capture the essence of a particular place and time in American popular culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Heartbeat City here we come
We are excited to arrive in Heartbeat City.
And happy days count on thumbs
We are so happy in Heartbeat City that we can count our blessings on our thumbs.
And nothin' really gets us down
We are so happy in Heartbeat City that nothing can bring us down.
As long as Jacki's back in town
Our happiness in Heartbeat City is made complete by the return of our friend Jacki.
I'm glad you made it
We are happy that you finally arrived in Heartbeat City.
I can't complain
We have nothing to complain about in Heartbeat City.
Oh Jacki (Jacki)
We are calling out to our friend Jacki.
What took you so long
We wonder why it took so long for Jacki to arrive in Heartbeat City.
On just a holiday
We thought Jacki was only taking a short vacation.
I thought you knew the way
We assumed Jacki knew the way to Heartbeat City.
The noise electric
Heartbeat City is a busy and noisy place.
Never stops
The excitement and activity in Heartbeat City continues endlessly.
And all you need
In Heartbeat City, you only need a few basic things to be happy.
Is what you got
You can be happy in Heartbeat City with just what you have.
And there's a place for everyone
In Heartbeat City, there is room and acceptance for everyone.
Under Heartbeat City's golden sun
In Heartbeat City, there is a bright and sunny atmosphere that makes life enjoyable.
I missed you so badly
We really missed Jacki while they were away.
When you jumped that train
We were worried when Jacki left suddenly without saying goodbye properly.
I thought you blew away
We thought Jacki had disappeared entirely.
Lights at night
Heartbeat City is alive even at night, with bright lights and activity.
It's getting closer
Heartbeat City is becoming more and more exciting as we approach it.
Out of sight
Heartbeat City is so exciting that it is difficult to see everything at once.
Heartbeat City's on the loose
Heartbeat City is wild and free, full of energy and activity.
Better catch the blue caboose
We need to keep up with the pace of Heartbeat City, or we will be left behind.
Oh, huh, Heartbeat City
We are excited about being in Heartbeat City.
It's my life
Heartbeat City is the center of our world right now.
(Heartbeat city)
We continue to celebrate the excitement of Heartbeat City.
(Heartbeat city)
Our enthusiasm for Heartbeat city is unflagging.
(Heartbeat city)
We will always remember the excitement of Heartbeat City.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Ric Ocasek
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@miracle1formation
Oh Heartbeat City here we come
And happy days count on thumbs
And nothin' really gets us down
As long as Jacki's back in town
I'm glad you made it
I can't complain
Oh Jacki (Jacki)
What took you so long
On just a holiday
Oh Jacki (oh Jacki)
What took you so long
I thought you knew the way
(Heartbeat city)
The noise electric
Never stops
And all you need
Is what you got
And there's a place for everyone
Under Heartbeat City's golden sun
Oh Jacki
(What took you so long)
What took you so long
On just a holiday
Oh Jacki (Jacki)
(What took you so long)
What took you so long
I thought you knew the way
Oh, yeah yeah yeah
You know, I'm glad you made it
I can't complain
I missed you so badly
When you jumped that train
oh Jacki
(What took you so long)
What took you so long
On just a holiday
Oh Jacki (Jacki)
(What took you so long)
What took you so long
(Thought you knew the way)
I thought you blew away
Oh Heartbeat City
Lights at night
(Heartbeat City)
It's getting closer
Out of sight
(Heartbeat City)
Heartbeat City's on the loose
(Heartbeat City)
Better catch
The blue caboose
Oh, huh, Heartbeat City
It's my life
(Heartbeat city)
(Heartbeat city)
(Heartbeat city)
@vanfan1960
I had a gf named Jackie, back in the 80's. We would often drive around in her Cadillac listening to music, including the Cars, and this song of course. To say this song brings back a lot of memories and tugs at the heart, would be a huge understatement.
@russjiao-long5387
its memories like that and songs like this that leaves an irreplaceable and forever stamp on the heart and soul
@jeffspicoli763
This might be my favorite YouTube comment I've ever read
@eamonnquigley2125
same here but the difference was i hadnt a cadillac to drive around in but still good memories............... brilliant song
@user-gz8iv2tr5w
You've lived the dream buddy
@eamonnquigley2125
many thanks good health
@sadmachines6991
Takes me back to 1984, 13 years old. While most people I knew were listening to Def Leppard, I was collecting all The Cars albums. I just introduced my 8 year old son and wife to it.
@russjiao-long5387
def leppard sucks
@Paulco67
Your 8 yr old has a wife? Wow, they grow up so quickly! 😂
@gartmanxxx
Haunting 80s tune from a great band. Ric and Ben are missed.