Coming for You

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some righteous vibes as the Zoo Crew spins "Coming for You" by Ric Ocasek from his 1986 solo album This Side of Paradise. This track is a gem that captures Ocasek’s knack for blending poetic lyrics with new wave grooves. In a 1986 interview with the Sun-Sentinel, Ocasek described "Coming for You" as having lyrics “a little too heavy” for his band The Cars, suggesting it carried a deeper emotional weight suited for his solo work. The song features a recurring musical motif that echoes “Nightspots” from The Cars’ 1979 album Candy-O, with a distinctive sequence under an E minor chord, giving it that hypnotic, driving feel perfect for late-night airwaves.

Another cool tidbit about "Coming for You" is its thunderous production, courtesy of Chris Hughes, who also worked with Tears for Fears. The track showcases Tony Levin on the Chapman Stick, adding a unique bass texture that makes it stand out. Fans on the Classic Rock Forum have praised the album’s 1980s aesthetic, with one calling it “honest to god” one of the most quintessentially ‘80s records in the best way possible. The song’s vibe, with its “appropriate sunshine frozen like clay” lyric, paints a surreal picture that’s both introspective and cinematic, making it a favorite for those who dig Ocasek’s moodier side.

Ric Ocasek, born Richard Theodore Otcasek on March 23, 1944, in Baltimore, Maryland, kicked off his musical journey in Cleveland, Ohio, after his family relocated there when he was 16. A Catholic kid of Czech descent, he picked up the guitar at age 10, thanks to his grandmother, as noted in a Classic Rock Forum thread. After graduating from Maple Heights High School in 1963, Ocasek briefly attended Antioch College and Bowling Green State University but dropped out to chase music. His big break came when he met future Cars bassist Benjamin Orr in 1965, catching Orr’s band The Grasshoppers on a local TV show. They bonded over music, playing in various bands around Ohio and Michigan before heading to Boston in the early 1970s.

In Boston, Ocasek and Orr formed a folk-rock outfit called Milkwood, releasing one album, How’s the Weather, in 1973, which flopped. Undeterred, they kept at it, with future Cars keyboardist Greg Hawkes joining for Milkwood. After a few more band experiments, including Richard and the Rabbits and Cap’n Swing, Ocasek honed his vision. By late 1976, he assembled The Cars with Orr, Hawkes, guitarist Elliot Easton, and drummer David Robinson. Their sleek new wave sound, driven by Ocasek’s songwriting, exploded with their 1978 debut album, cementing their place in rock history.

Sadly, Ric Ocasek passed away in 2019, so official social media accounts are no longer active, and his official website is defunct. However, fans can still connect with his legacy through The Cars’ official pages: Facebook, Instagram, and X. For those craving more, the The Cars Fan Club on Facebook is a vibrant spot where Zoo Freaks can geek out over Ocasek’s work. Another fan-driven hub is the Ric Ocasek Fans group, where devotees share memories and rare photos. These communities keep the spirit of Ocasek’s music alive, perfect for any Zoo Crew listener ready to dive deeper into his world.