It’s All I Can Do

Greetings, Zoo Freaks! Your hippie DJs at THE ZOO are spinning the sweet sounds of "It’s All I Can Do" by The Cars from their iconic 1979 album Candy-O. This track, written by the band’s leader Ric Ocasek and featuring the smooth vocals of bassist Benjamin Orr, is a new wave-infused pop rock gem. According to Brett Milano in the notes for Just What I Needed: The Cars Anthology, the song is a heartfelt piece of romantic pop, with a quirky line like “When I was crazy, I thought you were great.” Critics have praised its laidback vibe, with AllMusic’s Greg Prato calling it “gentle” and noting it deserved to be a hit. It peaked at number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100, just missing the top 40, but its emotional depth has made it a fan favorite. Fun fact: the song found a second life in the 1998 film The Wedding Singer, featured on the Wedding Singer 2 soundtrack.

Digging deeper, "It’s All I Can Do" showcases The Cars’ knack for blending rock with synth-driven polish. Cash Box described it as “more subdued but equally intriguing” compared to the band’s hit "Let’s Go," with “infectious rhythms” and “sparse yet effective electronics.” The song’s G major guitar riffs and Orr’s soft vocals create a dreamy contrast to its rock backbone, as noted by Hamish Champ in The 100 Best-Selling Albums of the 70s. Classic Rock History’s Emily Fagan ranked it as the fifth-best Cars song sung by Orr, highlighting lyrics that capture “disappointment and unfulfilled desire.” In 2005, electronic rock band The Bravery covered the track as a B-side to their single “Fearless,” later including it on the tribute album Substitution Mass Confusion: A Tribute to The Cars. The song’s B-side, “Got a Lot on My Head,” is another Candy-O track that cranks up the band’s energetic edge.

Now, let’s rewind to how The Cars got their start. Formed in Boston in 1976, the band emerged from the vibrant new wave scene, blending punk minimalism, art rock textures, and power pop hooks. Ric Ocasek (rhythm guitar) and Benjamin Orr (bass) first crossed paths in Cleveland, Ohio, in the 1960s, where Ocasek caught Orr performing with his band The Grasshoppers on a local TV show called The Big 5 Show. The two clicked and played in various bands in Columbus and Ann Arbor before landing in Boston in the early 1970s. There, they formed the folk rock outfit Milkwood with guitarist Jas Goodkind, releasing an album, How’s the Weather, in 1972 that didn’t chart. After Milkwood fizzled, Ocasek and Orr teamed up with Greg Hawkes (keyboards), who’d played sax on the Milkwood record, and later recruited Elliot Easton (lead guitar) and David Robinson (drums). Initially called Richard and the Rabbits, a nod to Jonathan Richman, they honed their sound in Boston’s club scene, eventually becoming The Cars. Their 1978 self-titled debut, with hits like "Just What I Needed," sold six million copies and set the stage for Candy-O’s success.

While The Cars disbanded in 1988 and tragically lost Benjamin Orr to pancreatic cancer in 2000, their legacy endures. You can keep up with their official updates at https://thecars.org/, though the site is more of a historical hub than an active one. On social media, check out their Facebook page for nostalgic posts and fan interactions, or follow their Instagram for throwback photos and clips. Their X account shares occasional updates, often celebrating milestones like Candy-O’s anniversary, as seen in posts from @ThatEricAlper and @JakeRudh. For Zoo Freaks who want to connect with fellow fans, the Cars Fanatics Facebook group is a lively spot to share memories and discuss the band’s catalog. Another fan-driven site, The Cars Fan Site, offers a deep dive into discographies, photos, and news. So, crank up "It’s All I Can Do", vibe with the Zoo Crew, and keep rocking with The Cars!