In Circles

The Zoo Crew is grooving to In Circles by Benjamin Orr, a track from his 1986 solo album The Lace, and the Zoo Freaks are surely vibing with its lush, romantic sound. This song, co-written with Orr’s then-fiancée Diane Grey Page, carries a playful yet heartfelt nod to their relationship, with the closing lyric “I love you like crazy” reflecting their deep connection. Page, an Ivy League-educated lyricist, brought a poetic contrast to Orr’s street-smart, eighth-grade-educated perspective, creating a unique chemistry that shaped the song’s introspective tone. In a VintageRock.com interview, Page shared that Orr was deeply insecure about his lyrical abilities, having relied on Ric Ocasek for The Cars’ songwriting, making In Circles a bold step in his creative evolution. Fans on Reddit have called it a catchy standout, with one user noting its nostalgic pull, evoking the mid-’80s even for those who discovered it later.

In Circles also showcases Orr’s signature smooth vocals, a hallmark from his days with The Cars, where he sang hits like Just What I Needed and Drive. The song’s polished pop-rock vibe, blended with synth-heavy AOR, has been praised on Rate Your Music for rivaling The Cars’ best work, though some fans on Discogs felt the album could’ve benefited from more input from bandmates like Greg Hawkes or Elliot Easton. Despite its quality, The Lace didn’t achieve the commercial success of The Cars, possibly due to a weaker second single, as speculated in a Reddit thread. Still, In Circles remains a fan favorite, with Jake Rudh on X celebrating Orr’s legacy and his solo work, highlighting the song’s enduring appeal among Zoo Freaks spinning those records.

Benjamin Orr, born Benjamin Orzechowski on September 8, 1947, in Lakewood, Ohio, kicked off his musical journey as a teenager in Cleveland. Growing up with Russian and Czechoslovakian immigrant parents who were both singers, Orr was steeped in music early on, mastering guitar, bass, keyboards, and drums. According to Wikipedia, he dropped out of high school to join a local band, The Grasshoppers, which gained fame on the syndicated TV show Upbeat. It was here in the mid-’60s that he met Ric Ocasek, sparking a lifelong musical partnership. By the late ’60s, they formed bands like ID Nirvana and Leatherwood in Columbus, Ohio, before moving to Boston in the early ’70s. There, they created the folk trio Milkwood, releasing one album, How’s the Weather?, in 1972, which flopped but laid groundwork for their future.

In Boston, Orr and Ocasek’s collaboration evolved through bands like Richard and the Rabbits and Cap’n Swing, with Greg Hawkes and Elliot Easton joining the mix. After Cap’n Swing dissolved in 1976, they recruited drummer David Robinson and formed The Cars, blending new wave and rock into a sound that defined the late ’70s and ’80s. Orr’s dynamic stage presence and vocals on tracks like Let’s Go and Moving in Stereo made him a key part of the band’s success, as noted in Joe Milliken’s book. After The Cars disbanded in 1988, Orr pursued solo work, releasing The Lace, and later performed with his band ORR and side projects until his passing in 2000.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, official resources are limited due to Orr’s passing, but you can explore his legacy through The Cars’ official website and their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, which occasionally honor Orr. Fan-driven spaces thrive, like the Benjamin Orr – The Lace – Fan Group on Facebook, where devotees share memories and rare photos. Another gem is Let’s Go: Benjamin Orr and The Cars, a fan site tied to Milliken’s biography, offering updates and book details. These corners of the internet keep Orr’s spirit alive for fans spinning his records at THE ZOO.