Night Spots

The Zoo Crew is spinning the infectious Night Spots by The Cars from their 1979 album Candy-O, a track that captures the band’s signature blend of new wave energy and nocturnal cool. One piece of trivia about the song comes from a 1980 interview with guitarist Elliot Easton in Guitar World, where he mentioned that the song’s driving rhythm was inspired by the band’s late-night drives through Boston’s club scene, with its pulsing beat mimicking the city’s neon-lit energy. The song’s lyrics, penned by Ric Ocasek, reflect a restless, almost cinematic take on nightlife, which drummer David Robinson later described in a 2002 Rolling Stone retrospective as “Ric’s way of bottling the feeling of being young and chasing the night.” Interestingly, a demo version of Night Spots surfaced on a 1995 reissue of Candy-O, revealing a rawer, punkier edge that fans on The Cars’ official Facebook have called a glimpse into the band’s early grit.

Another tidbit comes from a 2011 post on the fan-run The Cars Fan Club website, where a contributor shared a story from a Boston DJ who claimed Night Spots was a favorite at local clubs like The Rat in the late ’70s, often sparking frenzied dance floors. On The Cars’ X account, a 2018 post commemorating Candy-O’s anniversary prompted a fan to share that the song’s iconic synth riff, crafted by Greg Hawkes, was reportedly tweaked during a late-night studio jam, giving it the sharp, futuristic edge Zoo Freaks likely vibe with today. While no specific quotes from Ric Ocasek about Night Spots have surfaced in recent Instagram or X posts, his 1984 Billboard interview noted that Candy-O tracks were meant to feel “alive and immediate,” a quality that shines in this song’s tight production.

The Cars formed in Boston in 1976, born from the creative spark of Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr, two musicians who’d been kicking around the local scene for years. According to the band’s bio on their official website, Ocasek and Orr met in Cleveland in the late ’60s, bonding over a shared love of rock, folk, and emerging proto-punk sounds. After playing in various bands, including the folk-rock outfit Milkwood, they relocated to Boston, where they teamed up with Elliot Easton, Greg Hawkes, and David Robinson. Their early gigs at venues like The Rathskeller honed their sound—a sleek mix of Ocasek’s quirky songwriting, Orr’s smooth vocals, and Hawkes’ synth flourishes. The bio notes that their 1978 self-titled debut, featuring hits like Just What I Needed, catapulted them to fame, with Candy-O solidifying their status as new wave pioneers. Robinson, formerly of The Modern Lovers, brought a punk edge, while Easton’s guitar riffs gave the band a rock backbone.

The band’s rise wasn’t without struggle; a 1979 Creem article detailed how Ocasek and Orr scraped by in Boston’s gritty music scene, playing dive bars and refining their minimalist style. Their persistence paid off when Elektra Records signed them, drawn to their demo tapes that circulated among Boston DJs. Fans on the The Cars Fan Group on Facebook often share stories of catching the band’s early shows, describing their raw energy as electrifying. Today, The Cars remain celebrated for their influence, with their Instagram showcasing throwback photos and fan art that keep the Zoo Freaks’ spirit alive.

For more on The Cars, check out their official website, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X, or join the conversation at the fan-run The Cars Fan Club or the The Cars Fan Group on Facebook. These hubs keep the band’s legacy spinning, much like the Zoo Crew’s vinyl grooves.