Moving in Stereo

Zoo Freaks, get ready to vibe with some killer trivia about Moving in Stereo by The Cars, spinning on THE ZOO! This track, from their 1978 debut album The Cars, is a new wave gem co-written by Ric Ocasek and keyboardist Greg Hawkes, with Benjamin Orr’s haunting vocals. It’s famous for its role in the 1982 film Fast Times at Ridgemont High, where it soundtracks a steamy pool fantasy scene with Phoebe Cates, cementing its place in pop culture history. Fan Jake from Spencer, NY, raved on Songfacts, calling it “one of the coolest songs” for its synths, guitars, and futuristic vocal effects, blending new wave and rock into something “haunting and ominous.”

Another cool tidbit: the song wasn’t a single in the U.S. but got heavy airplay on album-oriented rock stations, often paired with All Mixed Up, which it flows into on the album. A 1977 demo with just Ocasek and Hawkes was later released on The Cars: Deluxe Edition in 1999. Covers by bands like Fu Manchu and Byzantine show its lasting influence, and it’s popped up in TV shows like Stranger Things and Family Guy, nodding to that iconic movie moment. On Reddit, fans call The Cars “underrated,” praising the song’s weird, hybrid sound.

The Cars formed in Boston in 1976, born from the creative spark of Ric Ocasek (vocals/guitar) and Benjamin Orr (vocals/bass), joined by Elliot Easton (guitar), Greg Hawkes (keyboards), and David Robinson (drums). Before they were The Cars, Ocasek and Orr played in various bands, including Milkwood, a folk-rock outfit that flopped in 1972. They kept at it, honing their sound in Boston clubs, blending 1960s power pop, glam rock, and proto-punk. By 1976, they’d locked in their lineup and started cutting demos, some of which, like Just What I Needed, made their debut album. Signing with Elektra Records, their 1978 self-titled album exploded, selling six million copies and earning them Best New Artist in the Rolling Stone Readers’ Poll.

Though The Cars disbanded in 1988, their legacy lives on. After Benjamin Orr’s passing in 2000 and Ric Ocasek’s in 2019, surviving members reunited for Move Like This in 2011 and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performance in 2018. Zoo Freaks can connect with the band’s official Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts for updates and throwback vibes. Fans also gather at thecars.org, the band’s official site, and on Facebook groups like The Cars Fan Club. For a live fix, check out Moving in Stereo, a tribute band delivering authentic Cars energy since 2013.