FRONTMAN Wrote BEST SONG of His LIFE--But LET 2nd Vocalist in Band SING it…Hit #1!-Professor of Rock

Shrouded in mystery, Drive by The Cars is one of the most enigmatic songs of the 80s. Laced with alcoholic implications and featuring a self-destructing object of affection… listening to Drive is like listening to a ticking time bomb. It’s melancholy, hypnotic… and highly addictive. This is one of those songs you can just play on repeat for hours… It’s 80s nostalgia at its best. Written by iconic singer Ric Ocasek who felt it might be the best song he’d ever written, yet he kept it off his solo album because he thought his Cars co-vocalist Ben Orr would perform it better… It became The Cars' biggest hit even though recording it took forever thanks to their perfectionist producer Mutt Lange… But what’s the real story of this song? Did the tragedy portrayed in the song actually happen? Did the hot and heavy relationship between Ocasek and the model in Drive’s music video last? We unravel this song’s enduring mystery, NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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So it’s time for another edition of our series The New Standards. This show takes an in-depth look into songs that transcend genre, decade, and fads - songs that are monumental touchstones in our culture and society. Today we’re bringing you The Cars and their classic 80s hit Drive from their 1984 synthesized, power pop masterpiece: Heartbeat City.

The Cars consisted of singer, songwriter, and guitarist Ric Ocasek, lead guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes, drummer David Robinson, and bassist and co-lead vocalist Benjamin Orr. This iconic outfit had partnered with producer Roy Thomas Baker for their first four records: their self-titled debut in 1978, Candy-O in 1979, Panorama in 1980, and Shake It Up in 1981. For their fifth album, initially titled ‘Who’s Gonna Drive You Home?’ and later changed to Heartbeat City, The Cars joined forces with the talented Robert John “Mutt” Lange. Coming off blockbuster records with AC/DC, Def Leppard, and Foreigner, Lange was on a massive hot streak. And the Cars were about to reap the benefits.

The choice to work with Mutt would prove to be highly profitable for the band. However, as they would discover, there were some serious drawbacks as well. Particularly, when it came to Mutt’s obsessive nature. In the summer of 1983 Ocasek and company convened in London at Battery Studios with the producer. Accustomed to recording albums in the span of a month or two, they signed up for a two-month commitment. Six months later, the band learned firsthand just how meticulous and exacting Lange’s methods were… He would continually refine every detail in every song...

[ProfessorofRock]

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[LeeLee-skwf]

I was deeply saddened when I heard Ben had passed. I also thought not enough recognition was given. Well at least everyone on here acknowledges what an amazing voice Ben had and were upset to hear he was gone. RIP Ben.

[Bdubbin]

Ric Ocasek said it best...when a song needed a great voice, Ben sang it. Both guys were great frontmen for The Cars.

[twyatt]

RIP Bejamin Orr and Rik Ocasek Thankyoufor the music!!

[williamjackson]

Rick was right to let Ben have this song. His voice was perfect for it. I'm glad he had the insight & humility to do that. The Cars were a perfect power-pop band. I was really saddened when they broke-up.

[brendadryden]

I'm with you. If only we could go back to the '80s. Not only was life simpler but the music was 100 times better.

[BrokePrepper]

Dude I swear you're one of the, if not THE best storytellers of our generation.

Watching your videos not only reminds me of what it meant to us growing up in the 80's, but it reminds me of what it feels like to be human again.

We are the last generation that lived in a time where society largely still agreed on the meaning of life, and we were free to experience what life has to offer without the worries of today.

The "end" of the world was still an idea meant for the big screen, and to us it seemed like a different timeline - one that we are now living.

[pamelaJoyce]

This song saved my life. I was in the middle of a horrible breakup. I was so depressed I’m not sure how I was getting out of bed and going to work. I lost 50 lbs in a month. I was a mess. I saw the video and heard the song. It brought me to my knees. The next day I found a really good therapist. I know everyone interprets songs and music differently. I took it literally. I knew I was no longer in the drivers seat. I’m 65 now and when I listen to it I thank God, The Cars and Timothy Hutton for making such a large impact on me. God bless Ben and Ric💜

[BrimHawk]

I was fortunate enough to see The Cars in '79, '84, '87 and 2011(without Ben). I even had tickets for The New Cars, but Elliott broke his arm, a week before. Sometime in the late 80's, I recorded Drive, on cassette in Niagara Falls. My youngest daughter heard me singing the song on it one day, while I was at work. When I walked in the door, she stood there looking at me, with teary eyes, ran towards me and hugged me, telling me everything was going to be okay. She felt so sad for me for singing the song. My baby girl is now 34, with 2 kids. Time flies.
That's my memory.

[MJmysummerlove]

Benjamin Orr was definitely an underrated vocalist and both “Drive” and his solo song “Stay The Night” are proof of that.

[creepingdarth]

Benjamin Orr's solo album The Lace is fantastic! It's definitely a forgotten classic to me. His voice is amazing. RIP!

[loubourbonjr.]

Totally agree, Benjamin Orr's passing deserved more than the footnote he got. Great singer(s), great band. Miss them so much.

[cwbrooks]

Can't imagine anyone but Benjamin Orr singing this song. His voice and intonation are perfect for it.

[jeffryallred]

the Cars were my biggest influence as a song writer, bass player and Singer. Ben Orr doesn't get the accolades like other bass player singers, Geddy Lee, Jack Bruce, and Sir Paul! Like you said Ben Orr was the epitome of cool. Man I miss him, and the Cars!

[smitch]

Moving in Stereo on a badd ass surround sound needs to be on your bucket list to hear

[TheRoadDawg]

These guys were certainly one of the groups who ruled the 80s! Loved them, especially “Drive”.

[MarkFromHawaii]

By most accounts Ben Orr was a kind soul and a gentleman. A typical description of Ben Orr: He never forgot where he came from. Rest in peace Benjamin Orr.

[JBowman-psri]

"Music is the closest thing we have to a time machine"... Thats so true & 1 of the best quotes ever!

[mccallosone]

one of the most underrated bands around. mutt, what an amazing producer

[pittsburghcityofchampions]

Benjamin Orr's voice is absolute perfection