This Side of Paradise

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, groovin’ to Ric Ocasek’s “This Side of Paradise” on THE ZOO with your favorite hippie DJs, the Zoo Crew! This track, the title cut from Ocasek’s 1986 solo album, is a dreamy, synth-soaked vibe that closes out the record with an eight-minute journey. Fun fact: the song’s intro samples sound effects from the arcade game Missile Command, blending retro gaming nostalgia with new wave cool. The album, released on Geffen Records, leans into Ocasek’s moodier, more poetic side, as he shared in a 1986 Chicago Tribune interview, saying he saved his “weirder songs” for solo work, distinct from his band, The Cars. Fans on the Classic Rock Forum rave about its atmospheric quality, perfect for late-night drives, and some even call it the pinnacle of Ocasek’s solo creativity.

Dig this: “This Side of Paradise” wasn’t just a solo effort—Ocasek brought in his Cars bandmates to make it shine. Greg Hawkes, the keyboard wizard, co-wrote “Hello Darkness” and laid down bass and keys throughout, while Benjamin Orr added backing vocals on three tracks, including “True to You.” Guitarist Elliot Easton also popped in for that same tune, making it feel like a Cars reunion minus the drummer. The album’s polished sound comes courtesy of producer Chris Hughes, fresh off working with Tears for Fears, and features guest guitarists like Steve Stevens from Billy Idol’s band and Roland Orzabal of Tears for Fears fame. On Discogs, fans geek out over the album’s 80s aesthetic, with one calling it “honest to god the MOST 80s album” thanks to its attitude and vibe. Oh, and the title? It’s a nod to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1920 novel, which itself references a Rupert Brooke poem—Ocasek loved weaving literary nods into his work.

Let’s rewind to how Ric Ocasek got his start, born Richard Theodore Otcasek on March 23, 1944, in Baltimore, Maryland. Raised Catholic with Czech roots, he was an altar boy and got his first guitar at age 10, thanks to his grandmother. By 16, his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where his dad 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. In 1965, he met future Cars bassist Benjamin Orr in Cleveland after catching Orr’s band, the Grasshoppers, on a local TV show. They clicked, started jamming, and by the early 1970s, moved to Boston to form the folk-rock band Milkwood. Their 1973 album, How’s the Weather, flopped, but keyboardist Greg Hawkes joined the crew, setting the stage for bigger things.

Post-Milkwood, Ocasek and Orr played as an acoustic duo and formed Richard and the Rabbits with Hawkes. They later teamed up with guitarist Elliot Easton in Cap’n Swing, which caught the ear of Boston DJ Maxanne Sartori. After some label rejections, Ocasek retooled the lineup, bringing in drummer David Robinson from The Modern Lovers, and The Cars were born. Their 1978 debut album exploded, blending new wave and power pop, with Ocasek as the lanky, sunglasses-clad frontman. His unique voice and knack for catchy hooks made The Cars a staple of 80s radio and MTV. Ocasek’s solo career kicked off with 1982’s Beatitude, and he also produced for bands like Weezer, Bad Brains, and No Doubt, earning him a rep as a studio genius. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Cars in 2018.

Wanna dive deeper into Ric Ocasek’s world? His official website is no longer active, but you can check out The Cars’ official site at thecars.org for band updates. Follow The Cars on Facebook and Instagram for throwbacks and fan love. On X, fans still share tributes, like one from 2019 noting Ocasek’s production work with Romeo Void. Join the fan community at the Ric Ocasek Fans Facebook Group or browse Classic Rock Forum for threads dedicated to his solo work. For more fan vibes, check out Rate Your Music, where users rate and review his albums, or Steve Hoffman Music Forums for deep dives into his discography. Keep spinnin’ those records, Zoo Freaks!