Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018! Ranking of The Cars’ most popular songs
The Cars are a rock band from the United States whose name was chosen because all the members are car enthusiasts.
Right from their debut, they steadily built their reputation, earning a platinum disc, reaching No.
3 on the U.S.
album chart, and even receiving a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.
Another appeal is their experimental approach, changing their musical style with each album.
Here, we present a ranking of The Cars’ most popular songs—have fun choosing which era’s tracks you like best!
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018! Ranking of The Cars’ most popular songs
DriveThe Cars1rank/position
This ballad, included on 1984’s Heartbeat City, is a masterpiece whose graceful synthesizers resonate deeply.
Many of you may have heard it in your youth.
The piece is distinguished by Benjamin Orr’s emotionally rich vocals, a relaxed tempo, and a melody line with gentle contours.
The lyrics are written as a series of questions, conveying empathy and encouragement to someone in distress.
It’s also known for being used at Live Aid in 1985, contributing to charitable efforts.
For karaoke, it’s a great addition to your repertoire—easy to sing even when your voice is tired, such as at an after-party.
You Might ThinkThe Cars2rank/position
A song that brilliantly fuses ’80s pop rock and new wave, this is the lead track from The Cars’ masterpiece Heartbeat City, widely regarded as the pinnacle of their career.
Released in 1984, it peaked at No.
7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Its appeal lies in the catchy interplay between synthesizers and guitars, complemented by Ric Ocasek’s distinctive vocal style.
Lyrically, it portrays a romance from the perspective of someone who doesn’t mind being seen as a weirdo by their partner, a single-minded devotion delivered with a cool yet subtly humorous touch.
The music video also made waves, winning Video of the Year at the inaugural MTV Video Music Awards.
Blending the nostalgia of youth with a pop sensibility that hasn’t faded with time, this track is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at karaoke.
My Best Friend’s GirlThe Cars3rank/position
It’s a single released by the American band The Cars in October 1978, opening with a rockabilly-style guitar riff and handclaps, and marked by a catchy melody and ironic lyrics.
Included on the band’s debut album, The Cars, the track became a major hit, reaching No.
35 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No.
3 in the UK.
Its universal theme—painfully discovering that your best friend’s current girlfriend is actually your ex—has enduring appeal, and combined with its innovative blend of new wave and power pop, it continues to captivate listeners today.
Featured on the soundtrack of the 1979 film Over the Edge, this song is recommended not only for anyone nursing a broken heart, but also as great driving music.
Shake it upThe Cars4rank/position
A party song written by frontman Ric Ocasek.
It features synthesizer and drum machine sounds.
It is the title track of an album released in 1981 by the American rock band The Cars.
Bye Bye loveThe Cars5rank/position
A song from American new wave rock band The Cars’ 1978 debut album.
Written by singer-songwriter and bandleader Ric Ocasek, it is sung by bassist Benjamin Orr.