Shoo Be Doo / Candy-O

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin the electrifying "Shoo Be Doo / Candy-O" by The Cars from their iconic 1979 album Candy-O. This track is a masterclass in transitions, with "Shoo Be Doo" serving as a jittery, 98-second homage to the experimental duo Suicide, driven by Ric Ocasek’s slapback echo vocals and a frenetic rhythm box. It’s a dark, almost haunting prelude that explodes into the thunderous guitar crunch of "Candy-O," creating one of rock’s most legendary segues. Fans on Reddit have called this transition “the stuff that dreams are made of,” with one user confessing they’d try to drop the needle precisely at that shift—nearly impossible but worth the thrill. The song "Candy-O," sung by bassist Benjamin Orr, wasn’t based on a real person, despite its evocative title. Ocasek humorously clarified in an interview, “I never knew any one Candy-O,” to which Orr quipped, “You never told me about it.” Critics like Tom Maginnis from AllMusic praise its “slightly sinister” edge and Elliot Easton’s blistering guitar solo, likening it to Eddie Van Halen’s virtuosity.

The album’s cover, painted by pin-up legend Alberto Vargas, is another wild story. Drummer David Robinson, the band’s artistic director and a pin-up collector, pitched the idea to hire the 83-year-old Vargas, who’d retired from his famed work for Playboy and Esquire. Vargas was reluctant, but his niece, a huge Cars fan, convinced him. The painting, featuring a woman sprawled across a Ferrari’s hood, was based on a photoshoot with model Candy Moore (no relation to the Lucy Show actress, despite internet confusion). Moore, who briefly dated Robinson, also appeared on Rick James’ Street Songs cover. Robinson shared in a blog interview that Vargas, after attending a Cars concert, wasn’t a fan of their music but was impressed by the “beautiful girls all over the place.” This fusion of new wave sound and classic pin-up art made Candy-O a cultural milestone.

The Cars formed in Boston in 1976, born from the ashes of earlier bands and a shared love for rock’s raw energy and pop’s catchy hooks. Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr, longtime collaborators, had kicked around in various outfits, including a folk-rock group called Milkwood, before teaming up with Elliot Easton, Greg Hawkes, and David Robinson. Their big break came when a demo of “Just What I Needed” caught the ear of Boston’s WBCN radio, leading to a deal with Elektra Records. Their 1978 self-titled debut was a smash, blending Ocasek’s quirky songwriting, Orr’s smooth vocals, and Hawkes’ futuristic synths. By the time Candy-O dropped, they were already pushing boundaries, toning down the polish of their debut for a rougher edge, as Ocasek noted in a 1979 interview: “We toned down some of the slick things, like background vocals.”

While The Cars don’t have an active official website, fans can dive into their legacy at The Cars’ official Facebook for updates and throwback posts. Their Instagram is a treasure trove of vintage photos and album art, though it’s less active since the band’s 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. On X, the band’s account occasionally shares fan tributes and milestones. For deeper fan connections, check out Candy-O, a tribute band site with performance schedules and Cars lore, or join the Cars Fan Group on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can swap stories and vinyl finds. The Cars’ influence endures, from inspiring the Pixies’ minimalist guitar style to soundtracking our wildest radio nights.