Hello Again (The Cars song)

Last updated
"Hello Again"
Cover for Hello Again by The Cars.jpg
Single by the Cars
from the album Heartbeat City
ReleasedOctober 15, 1984 (1984-10-15)
Recorded1983–1984
Studio Battery, London
Genre
Length3:47
Label Elektra
Songwriter(s) Ric Ocasek
Producer(s)
The Cars singles chronology
"Drive"
(1984)		"Hello Again"
(1984)		"Why Can't I Have You"
(1985)
Music video
"Hello Again" on YouTube

"Hello Again" is a song by American rock band the Cars from their album Heartbeat City (1984). It was released on October 15, 1984 as the album's fourth single. The song was the fourth top-20 entry from the album, reaching number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart; it also reached number eight on the Hot Dance/Disco chart and number 22 on the Top Rock Tracks chart. [4] Ric Ocasek sings lead vocals on the track. [5]

Contents

Critical reception

Billboard wrote that "Hello Again" goes "back to the staccato synth beat and wry mannered style that typified the group's singles before 'Drive' changed all that." [6]

"Hello Again" was retrospectively described as "eccentric" by AllMusic critic Greg Prato, who also cited the track as a highlight from the Heartbeat City album. [7] Donald Guarisco, also of AllMusic, wrote "One of their strongest tracks [on Heartbeat City with experimental roots] was 'Hello Again,' a stylish new wave rocker with plenty of experimental touches." [2] Guarisco added that it "represents the Cars striking a unique balance between their gift for pop hooks and their love of experimental sounds." [2]

In his review of the compilation album Greatest Hits (1985), Prato felt that "Hello Again" should have been included on the album, stating "why was the title track from Heartbeat City (an unsuccessful single) included instead of the 1984 Top 20 hit 'Hello Again'?" [8]

Music video

The music video for the song was directed by Andy Warhol and Don Munroe. [9] Warhol appeared in the video as a bartender, which was filmed at the Be-Bop Cafe in Manhattan. [10] Dianne Brill and John Sex of the downtown New York scene made cameos. [10] A then-unknown Gina Gershon also appeared in the video. Keyboardist Greg Hawkes said "I think [Warhol] mainly did some of the conceptualizing and showed up to be an extra. And he invited his various friends to be in it. It was like any video shoot, but with a more interesting cast of characters. And you could always look over on the set and go 'Hey that's Andy Warhol.'" [11]

The music video explored the controversial topics of sex and violence (mostly the former) that were being featured in music videos at the time.

Track listings

A. "Hello Again" – 3:45
B. "Hello Again" (Dub Version) – 5:02
A1. "Hello Again" (Remix Version / Vocal) – 5:54
A2. "Hello Again" (Dub Version) – 6:02
B. "Hello Again" (LP Version / Vocal) – 3:47

Charts

Chart performance for "Hello Again"
Chart (1984–1985)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [12] 52
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) [13] 21
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [14] 22
Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [15] 42
Netherlands (Tipparade) [16] 12
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [17] 12
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [18] 17
US Billboard Hot 100 [19] 20
US Dance Club Songs ( Billboard ) [20] 8
US Mainstream Rock ( Billboard ) [21] 22
US Cash Box Top 100 Singles [22] 19
West Germany (Official German Charts) [23] 27

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Cars</span> American pop-rock band

The Cars were an American new wave band formed in Boston in 1976. Emerging from the new wave scene in the late 1970s, they consisted of Ric Ocasek, Benjamin Orr, Elliot Easton, Greg Hawkes (keyboards), and David Robinson (drums). Ocasek and Orr shared lead vocals, and Ocasek was the band's principal songwriter and leader.

<i>The Cars</i> (album) 1978 studio album by the Cars

The Cars is the debut studio album by American new wave band the Cars, released on June 6, 1978, by Elektra Records. The album was managed by longtime producer Roy Thomas Baker, and spawned several hit singles, including "Just What I Needed", "My Best Friend's Girl", and "Good Times Roll", as well as other radio and film hits such as "Bye Bye Love" and "Moving in Stereo". The Cars peaked at number 18 on the US Billboard 200 albums chart, and has been certified six-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<i>Candy-O</i> 1979 studio album by the Cars

Candy-O is the second studio album by American new wave band the Cars, released on June 13, 1979, by Elektra Records.

<i>Door to Door</i> (album) 1987 studio album by the Cars

Door to Door is the sixth studio album by American new wave band the Cars, released on August 25, 1987, by Elektra Records. The album was produced by frontman Ric Ocasek, with additional production by keyboardist Greg Hawkes. Three singles were released from the album, though only "You Are the Girl" reached the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 17. Door to Door became the Cars' lowest-charting studio album, peaking at number 26 on the Billboard 200, and within a year of its release the band would break up.

<i>Heartbeat City</i> 1984 studio album by the Cars

Heartbeat City is the fifth studio album by American new wave band the Cars, released on March 13, 1984, by Elektra Records. This marks the band's first album not produced by long-time producer Roy Thomas Baker, instead opting to produce with Robert John "Mutt" Lange. Considered a "comeback" album for the Cars, Heartbeat City represented a return to the success of the band's self-titled debut album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just What I Needed</span> 1978 single by The Cars

"Just What I Needed" is a song by American rock band the Cars from their self-titled debut album (1978). The song, which first achieved radio success as a demo, took inspiration from the Ohio Express and the Velvet Underground. The song is sung by bass player Benjamin Orr and was written by Ric Ocasek.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vasoline</span> 1994 single by Stone Temple Pilots

"Vasoline" is a song by American rock band Stone Temple Pilots from their second album, Purple. The song was the second single of the album, reaching number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for two weeks. The song's odd-sounding intro was created by Robert DeLeo, who ran his bass through a wah-wah pedal to get the said effect. The song's lyrics were written by vocalist Scott Weiland. "Vasoline" also appears on the greatest hits compilation album Thank You. A live version also appears on The Family Values 2001 Tour compilation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alone Again (Dokken song)</span> 1985 single by Dokken

"Alone Again" is a power ballad written and released by the American heavy metal band Dokken on their 1984 album Tooth and Nail. The single reached #64 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #20 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in 1985. The song was written by singer Don Dokken and bassist Jeff Pilson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drive (The Cars song)</span> 1984 single by the Cars

"Drive" is a song by American rock band The Cars from their fifth studio album, Heartbeat City (1984). It was released on July 23, 1984, as the album's third single. Written by Ric Ocasek, the track was sung by bassist Benjamin Orr and produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange with the band. Upon its release, "Drive" became the Cars' highest-charting single in most territories. In the United States, it peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Adult Contemporary chart. It reached number five in the United Kingdom, number four in West Germany, number six in Canada and number three in Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let's Go (The Cars song)</span> 1979 single by the Cars

"Let's Go" is a song by American rock band the Cars, written by Ric Ocasek for the band's second studio album, Candy-O (1979). A new wave rock song, the song's hook was inspired by the Routers. The song's vocals are performed by bassist Benjamin Orr.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Might Think</span> 1984 single by the Cars

"You Might Think" is a song by American rock band The Cars from their fifth studio album, Heartbeat City (1984). The track was written by Ric Ocasek and produced by Mutt Lange and the Cars, with Ocasek also providing the lead vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Good Times Roll</span> 1979 single by the Cars

"Good Times Roll" is a song by American rock band the Cars released as the first track from their 1978 debut album The Cars. Written by Ric Ocasek as a sarcastic comment on rock's idea of good times, the song features layered harmonies courtesy of producer Roy Thomas Baker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magic (The Cars song)</span> 1984 single by the Cars

"Magic" is a song by American rock band The Cars from their fifth studio album, Heartbeat City (1984). It was released on May 7, 1984, as the album's second single, reaching number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Top Tracks chart. The track was written by Ric Ocasek and produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange and the Cars. Ocasek sang lead vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's All I Can Do</span> 1979 single by the Cars

"It's All I Can Do" is a song by the American rock band the Cars. It is the third track from their 1979 album Candy-O. It was written by the band's leader and songwriter Ric Ocasek, and features bassist Benjamin Orr on vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cruiser (song)</span> 1981 single by The Cars

"Cruiser" is a song by American new wave band The Cars, from their 1981 album Shake It Up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Since You're Gone</span> 1982 single by the Cars

"Since You're Gone" is a song by the American rock band the Cars. It was released as the second single from their fourth album, Shake It Up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Touch and Go (The Cars song)</span> 1980 single by the Cars

"Touch and Go" is a song by American rock band the Cars from their 1980 album Panorama. The song was written and sung by bandleader Ric Ocasek.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Why Can't I Have You</span> 1985 single by the Cars

"Why Can't I Have You" is a song by American rock band the Cars from their fifth studio album, Heartbeat City (1984). It was released on January 7, 1985, as the album's fifth single. Written by Ric Ocasek, the song is a lush ballad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heartbeat City (song)</span> 1985 single by the Cars

"Heartbeat City" is a song by American rock band the Cars from their fifth studio album of the same name (1984). It was released in September 1985 as the album's sixth and final single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hello (Adele song)</span> 2015 single by Adele

"Hello" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Adele, released on 23 October 2015 by XL Recordings as the lead single from her third studio album, 25 (2015). Written by Adele and the album's producer, Greg Kurstin, "Hello" is a piano ballad with soul influences, and lyrics that discuss themes of nostalgia and regret. Upon release, the song garnered critical acclaim, with reviewers comparing it favourably to Adele's previous works and praised its lyrics, production and Adele's vocal performance. It was recorded in Metropolis Studios, London.

References

  1. ↑ Sendra, Tim. "Heartbeat City – The Cars". AllMusic. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 Guarisco, Donald A. "Hello Again – The Cars". AllMusic. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  3. ↑ Gerard, Chris (August 12, 2014). "Classic Album Revisited: The Cars, "Heartbeat City"". Metro Weekly. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  4. ↑ "The Cars – Billboard Singles". AllMusic. Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  5. ↑ Heartbeat City (liner notes). The Cars. Elektra Records. 1984. 60296-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ↑ "Reviews". Billboard. October 27, 1984. p. 63. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
  7. ↑ Prato, Greg. "Heartbeat City – The Cars". AllMusic. Archived from the original on September 18, 2014. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  8. ↑ Prato, Greg. "Greatest Hits – The Cars". AllMusic. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Clips Receive an Artful Showcase". Billboard. August 31, 1985. p. 52.
  10. 1 2 Warhol, Andy; Hackett, Pat (1989). The Andy Warhol diaries. The Archive of Contemporary Music. New York, NY : Warner Books. pp. 560–561. ISBN   978-0-446-51426-2.
  11. ↑ Milano, Brett (1995). Just What I Needed: The Cars Anthology (liner notes). The Cars. Elektra Traditions/Rhino Records. R2 73506.
  12. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  13. ↑ "The Cars – Hello Again" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  14. ↑ "The Cars – Hello Again" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9636." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  16. ↑ "The Cars – Hello Again" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  17. ↑ "The Cars – Hello Again". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  18. ↑ "The Cars – Hello Again". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  19. ↑ "The Cars Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  20. ↑ "The Cars Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
  21. ↑ "The Cars Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard.
  22. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending December 22, 1984". Cash Box . Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Cars – Hello Again" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.