"Hello Again" by The Cars

Song#:  2107
Date:  10/27/1984
Debut:  60
Peak:  20
Weeks:  15
Genre:  Pop, Rock, New Wave



Pop Bits:  The band's third single from their LP Heartbeat City, "Drive," became the biggest hit of their career reaching #3 Pop, #9 Rock, and #1 AC. With that success, a fourth single was needed and this track was shuffled out. Oddly, it became their biggest hit on the Dance chart getting to #4, but at Pop it stalled on the Top 20 mark while only getting to #22 at Rock. However, the results were good enough to keep album sales going and eventually it would hit the 4 million mark.

ReduxReview:  This opening track was a tasty introduction to what the album had to offer. "Mutt" Lange's production beefed up the band's new wave sound with synths that were practically bashing you over the head. Although dated, this track still sounds great. It amazes me how some 80s synth tracks sounded thin and tinny while others like this one had a richer, fuller sound. I'm sure it had to do with both the producer and engineer along with the studio, equipment, and money. The Cars could afford a hot producer like Lange and it paid off handsomely with a major hit album.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  With the success of MTV, music videos became more important for artists and soon the new medium began to attract bigger name celebrities and producer/directors. Not to miss out on a trend, pop-art pioneer Andy Warhol decided to delve into the world of music videos after The Cars' Ric Ocasek contacted him about working with the band. Given the choice of what song from the album he wanted to work on, Warhol chose "Hello Again." He would co-direct with Don Munroe and also appear in the video. The satirical look at sex and violence within music videos also featured a young starlet that would soon make a name for herself, Gina Gershon.

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