[Forty Shakes] -- On 11/6/1981, forty years ago tomorrow, The Cars released their fourth studio album, Shake It Up. Co-lead vocalist and primary songwriter, Ric Ocasek, heralded the record as "a big return to pop" though he apparently was not proud of the title track's lyrics. That title track is probably one of the band's most popular songs, it's certainly one of my faves by them, and it hit #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart, marking The Cars' first trip to the Billboard Top 10. The second single, "Since You're Gone," peaked at #41 and #24 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the US Mainstream Rock charts respectively. The third single, "Victim of Love," got within the top 40 of the US Mainstream Rock chart while the final single failed to chart in the US.
I think "I'm Not the One," with its gloomy lyrics and pop melody, should have been a single. Its inclusion on the 1985 Greatest Hits album is, I believe, supporting evidence of the song's ... greatness.
Flashback: Shake It Up -- The Cars (1981)
1. "Since You're Gone"2. "Shake It Up"3. "I'm Not the One"4. "Victim of Love"5. "Cruiser"6. "A Dream Away"7. "This Could Be Love"8. "Think It Over"9. "Maybe Baby"
And that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.
I'll see you in seven!
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