Something to Grab For

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some juicy trivia about Something to Grab For from Ric Ocasek’s 1982 solo debut, Beatitude, spinning now on THE ZOO! This track, which hit #47 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #5 on the Mainstream Rock chart, is a quintessential slice of Ocasek’s knack for blending new wave polish with raw emotion. Unlike the more experimental vibes of Beatitude, this song feels like it could’ve slipped right onto a Cars album, with its catchy hook and driving bassline. Fun fact: the music video, a staple on early MTV, featured 1983 Playmate of the Year Marianne Gravatte, adding a glossy ‘80s sheen to its promotion. Reviewers on sites like Post-Punk Monk have praised its extended 7:39 cassette version, comparing its hypnotic coda to Bryan Ferry and even The Blue Nile, suggesting Ocasek was reaching for something transcendent. The song’s relatable lyrics about yearning for connection struck a chord, with one fan on Discogs calling it “The Cars in low gear,” a perfect balance of familiar and fresh.

Another tidbit comes from the song’s production, which leaned heavily on synths and drum machines, a departure from The Cars’ guitar-heavy sound. Ocasek, always a fan of pushing boundaries, drew inspiration from avant-garde acts like Suicide, whose second album he produced. A 2020 Post-Punk Monk review noted that Something to Grab For was Ocasek “keeping one foot on safe ground,” ensuring it resonated with Cars fans while he explored darker, more electronic territory elsewhere on the album. The guitar solo, likely by guest player Fuzzbee Morse or Casey Lindstrom, channels the spirit of The Cars’ Elliot Easton, giving it that extra nostalgic kick. Fans on Rate Your Music have called it the album’s standout, with one user joking they “taped it and lived with it in my car for weeks,” hoping another track would top it—but none did. The song’s live performance, possibly from a TV special, is worth checking out on Ocasek’s YouTube channel for its raw energy.

Ric Ocasek’s journey to rock stardom started far from the neon lights of the ‘80s new wave scene. Born Richard Theodore Otcasek on March 23, 1944, in Baltimore, Maryland, he grew up in a Catholic household of Czech descent. At 16, his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where his father worked as a systems analyst for NASA. Ocasek graduated from Maple Heights High School in 1963 and briefly attended Antioch College and Bowling Green State University before dropping out to chase music. His big break came in 1965 when he met future Cars bassist Benjamin Orr in Cleveland, spotting him performing with the Grasshoppers on a local TV show. The two clicked, playing in various bands like ID Nirvana in Columbus, Ohio, before heading to Boston in the early ‘70s. There, they formed the folk-rock outfit Milkwood, releasing one album in 1973 that flopped but featured future Cars keyboardist Greg Hawkes.

Undeterred, Ocasek and Orr kept at it, forming Richard and the Rabbits and later Cap’n Swing, which caught the ear of Boston DJ Maxanne Sartori. After some lineup tweaks, Ocasek ditched Cap’n Swing’s bassist and drummer, bringing in Orr on bass, Hawkes on keys, Elliot Easton on guitar, and David Robinson (formerly of The Modern Lovers) on drums. By late 1976, The Cars were born, and Ocasek’s quirky vocals and sharp songwriting propelled them to fame with hits like Just What I Needed and Drive. His solo career, kicked off with Beatitude, let him flex his experimental side, and he later produced for bands like Weezer, Bad Brains, and No Doubt, cementing his legacy. Ocasek, who passed away in 2019, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Cars in 2018.

For more on Ric Ocasek, check out his official website at ricocasek.com. His estate maintains a presence on social media, including Facebook, Instagram, and X, where fans share memories and updates. The Cars’ official channels, like The Cars on Facebook and Instagram, also celebrate his legacy. Fan communities thrive online—join the Cars Fan Club on Facebook for lively discussions or visit Classic Rock Forums for threads dedicated to Ocasek’s work. Zoo Freaks, keep spinning those records and diving into the wild world of Ric Ocasek!