Song of the Week: Cars

I had a paper route while I was in elementary school, so I had money. And while my mother ensured I saved, there was a lot that I spent. I spent on comic books, on going to the movies, and on music.

I can’t remember all the singles I bought—because for a long time, it was all singles—but I can remember “Cars.” I didn’t know it at the time, but it was part of my investment into the post-punk songs that were hitting the music charts.

I tend to go for frothy, fun pop—or at least something with a danceable beat. “Cars” was definitely different. I don’t think many of us can really define why we like a certain piece of art—maybe critics can, but I certainly can’t. I don’t know what it was about the downbeat, dark song that really caught my fancy, but it did. And I played it endlessly, with my headphones on.

Also on rotation at the time—as I’ve mentioned—was “Pop Muzik,” so this would have been an eclectic playlist.

I didn’t really get into anything further that Gary Numan released, but boy did I love “Cars.”