Double Life

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Double Life" by The Cars, a track from their 1979 album Candy-O, and the Zoo Freaks are loving this new wave gem. One fascinating piece of trivia about "Double Life" is that it nearly didn’t make it onto the album. Lead singer and songwriter Ric Ocasek revealed in an interview that when he presented the song to the band in its raw cassette form, it was almost voted off. He explained, "We sit around and talk about it. If I'm outvoted, we don't do it. We almost didn't include 'Double Life' on the new album, it had been dropped." Thankfully, the band reconsidered, and the song became the third single from Candy-O, showcasing its catchy guitar riffs and quirky energy. Another cool tidbit is that the song’s opening lines, "It takes a fast car to lead a double life," were inspired by the first two lines of a poem called "Lost Parents" by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, adding a literary twist to its new wave vibe.

The music video for "Double Life" also has an interesting story, directed by Gerald V. Casale of Devo fame. Posts found on X from DJ Jake Rudh highlight the song’s place on Candy-O, released on June 13, 1979, alongside tracks like "Let's Go" and "Dangerous Type." While "Double Life" didn’t chart in the US, unlike the album’s earlier singles, its inclusion on the compilation Just What I Needed: The Cars Anthology gave it a longer life, with a version that’s about 12 seconds longer than the original. The song’s structure is notable too, featuring a brief but fiery guitar solo by Elliot Easton, with high-speed licks over a G major background, as detailed on Wikipedia. It segues into "Shoo Be Doo" and then the title track "Candy-O" via cross-fading, creating a seamless flow on the album.

The Cars got their start in Boston, Massachusetts, in the mid-1970s, evolving from earlier bands like The Grasshoppers and Cap’n Swing. The core lineup—Ric Ocasek (vocals/rhythm guitar), Benjamin Orr (vocals/bass), Elliot Easton (lead guitar), Greg Hawkes (keyboards), and David Robinson (drums)—came together in 1976 after Ocasek and Orr met in Cleveland and later relocated to Boston. Their big break came in 1977 when a demo of "Just What I Needed" was sent to Boston’s WBCN radio station, becoming a heavily requested track. This led to a deal with Elektra Records, and their self-titled debut album in 1978 skyrocketed with hits like "My Best Friend’s Girl" and "Good Times Roll." Candy-O, their second album, cemented their status as new wave pioneers, blending proto-punk, garage rock, and pop sensibilities, as noted on Amazon. Despite their breakup in 1988, their influence endured, leading to reunions in the 2000s and 2011.

Fans can connect with The Cars through their official website and social media, including Facebook, Instagram, and X. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, fan communities thrive online. The Cars Fans Facebook group is a vibrant space where enthusiasts share memories, trivia, and vinyl finds. Another fan hub, The Cars Fan Club, linked through the official site, offers updates and exclusive content. These communities keep the spirit of The Cars alive, much like the Zoo Crew keeps the airwaves buzzing with "Double Life."