Good Times Roll

Zoo Freaks, get ready to let the good times roll with “Good Times Roll” by The Cars, the opening track from their 1978 debut album, The Cars. This song, written and sung by frontman Ric Ocasek, is a sly jab at the rock 'n' roll lifestyle, with Ocasek himself describing it as a “parody of good times” in a 1979 interview, poking fun at the superficial idea of rock’s carefree excess. Despite its ironic edge, the track’s slow, lumbering rhythm and quirky synth fills from Greg Hawkes give it an undeniable groove that hooked listeners. Released as the third single in February 1979, it climbed to number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100, a modest hit compared to the album’s earlier singles, “Just What I Needed” and “My Best Friend’s Girl.” Fun fact: unlike the other tracks on the album, no demo version of “Good Times Roll” was found for the 1999 Deluxe Edition, so a live version was included instead, capturing the band’s raw energy.

The song’s production, handled by Roy Thomas Baker, known for his work with Queen, brought layered harmonies and a polished yet edgy sound that became a hallmark of The Cars’ style. Critics loved it—Rolling Stone called it one of Ocasek’s “essential songs,” praising its “hard-edged midtempo strut” and “blaring backing vocals.” The track’s intro, with David Robinson’s booming syndrum and Elliot Easton’s slow-motion guitar lick, sets a vibe that’s both cool and slightly off-kilter, which one reviewer on Rate Your Music described as a “cartoony” yet winning touch. Beyond radio, “Good Times Roll” popped up in pop culture, featured in films like 2003’s Wonderland, 2005’s Just Like Heaven, and 2016’s Everybody Wants Some!!, as well as TV shows like Freaks and Geeks and Rescue Me. It’s even been covered by bands like Powerman 5000 and Big Wreck, showing its lasting influence across genres.

The Cars formed in Boston in 1976, rising from the ashes of several earlier bands. Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr, the band’s core, met in Cleveland in the 1960s, where Orr fronted a band called The Grasshoppers, which opened for the Beach Boys and served as the house band for the TV show Upbeat. After college dropouts Ocasek and Orr relocated to Boston, they played as an acoustic duo before forming Milkwood, a folk-rock outfit that included Greg Hawkes on keyboards. Milkwood flopped, but the trio kept at it, eventually joining forces with guitarist Elliot Easton and drummer David Robinson, formerly of Jonathan Richman’s Modern Lovers. Initially called Cap’n Swing, the band shifted to a tighter, new wave sound after Ocasek’s jazz-leaning experiments didn’t click. By 1977, they were The Cars, gigging at clubs and cutting demos that caught the ear of Elektra Records. Their debut album, recorded in just two weeks in 1978, blended punk’s bite, power pop’s hooks, and synth-driven new wave, making them pioneers of the genre.

The Cars’ mix of Ocasek’s detached vocals, Orr’s smoother delivery, and the band’s knack for catchy yet ironic songs set them apart. Their self-titled debut sold six million copies, staying on the Billboard 200 for 139 weeks, and earned them Rolling Stone’s Best New Artist title in 1978. After a string of hits in the 1980s, including “Shake It Up” and “Drive,” the band split in 1988. Ocasek went on to produce for acts like Weezer and No Doubt, while Orr passed away in 2000 from pancreatic cancer. The surviving members reunited for 2011’s Move Like This and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, performing “Good Times Roll” at the ceremony. Sadly, Ocasek died in 2019, but the band’s legacy endures.

Stay connected with The Cars’ legacy through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can dive deeper at sites like The Cars Fan Club or join discussions on the The Cars Fan Group on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can share their love for the band’s timeless sound. Keep spinning those records, and let the good times roll!