Drag On Forever

The Zoo Crew is spinning the killer track "Drag On Forever", the seventh track on The Cars’ 2011 album Move Like This, which captures the band’s signature new wave sound with a reflective twist that suits the Zoo Freaks’ eclectic vibe at THE ZOO radio station. Written by Ric Ocasek, the song features surreal lyrics like “I heard your glockenspiel pounding soft” and “I lit my brain with rainbow Crystal Lite,” evoking a dreamy, almost psychedelic atmosphere. A review on Amazon notes mixed feelings about the track, praising its use of sleigh bells—reminiscent of Rosanne Cash’s “I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me”—but suggesting it lacks the punch of earlier songs on the album. Fans on X, like @JakeRudh in 2023, have celebrated The Cars’ ability to blend emotional depth with catchy hooks, a quality that shines in “Drag On Forever” despite its divisive reception. The song was performed during the band’s 2011 tour, with Greg Hawkes handling bass parts originally played by the late Benjamin Orr, adding a poignant layer to its live delivery.

The Cars’ reunion for Move Like This marked their first album since 1987’s Door to Door, and “Drag On Forever” stands out for its moody introspection. In a 2011 Rolling Stone interview, Ocasek described the album’s creation as surprisingly seamless, saying, “I was amazed at how we clicked when we got back together.” The track’s production, led by Jacknife Lee for five songs and the band for the rest, leaned into their classic synth-guitar blend, though some fans on Discogs noted its rock-oriented feel compared to their pop-heavy 1980s hits. The album debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200, proving The Cars’ enduring appeal, though critics like Spin gave mixed reviews, calling Ocasek’s lyrics occasionally clunky. For Zoo Freaks, “Drag On Forever” likely resonates with its hypnotic rhythm and nostalgic nod to the band’s innovative past.

The Cars formed in Boston in 1976, blending proto-punk, garage rock, and synth-pop into a new wave sound that defined the late 1970s and early 1980s. Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr first met in Cleveland in the 1960s, where Ocasek saw Orr perform with the Grasshoppers on The Big 5 Show. They collaborated in various bands in Columbus and Ann Arbor before moving to Boston, where they formed Milkwood with Greg Hawkes, releasing the unsuccessful How’s the Weather (1972). After further experiments with Richard and the Rabbits, they assembled The Cars with Elliot Easton and David Robinson. Their 1978 debut album, The Cars, sold six million copies, driven by hits like “Just What I Needed.” Their sleek sound, as Robert Palmer noted in Rolling Stone, made them pioneers, balancing rock energy with art-rock influences like Roxy Music.

After disbanding in 1988, The Cars reunited in 2010 for Move Like This, their final album before Ocasek’s death in 2019. Ocasek also produced for bands like Weezer, while Easton and Hawkes joined Todd Rundgren in The New Cars in 2005. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, the band performed at the ceremony, cementing their legacy. Fans can visit their official website, TheCarsOfficial.com, for archival content, and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates. Fan communities like The Cars Fans Facebook Group share memories and photos, while CarsDiscography.com offers detailed discographies for collectors. These platforms keep the band’s music alive for Zoo Freaks spinning tracks like “Drag On Forever.”