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.

Music critic Robert Christgau noted that "the glossy approach the Cars invented has made this the best year for pure pop in damn near twenty years, and it`s only fair that they should return so confidently to form."[10] Numerous tracks from the album received airplay on modern rock and AOR stations, with the singles "Drive" and "You Might Think" reaching the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, while the album peaked at number three on the Billboard 200.

Background and release

Heartbeat City was recorded at Battery Studios in London with producer Mutt Lange. The band followed a method where the keyboards, guitars and vocals were recorded first to a LinnDrum click track, then the bass and drums were added. According to drummer David Robinson, all the drums and keyboards were sampled into and played or programmed via the Fairlight CMI, which he felt gave "a much better, cleaner, more controllable sound" for the album.[11]

Heartbeat City spawned six singles. "Drive" and "You Might Think" reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at numbers three and seven, respectively.[12] A number of songs from the album gained significant radio and television exposure, notably "Drive", "You Might Think" and "Magic", which all received heavy rotation on MTV. The title track served as the album`s sixth and final single outside North America.

The lead vocals on "Drive" were performed by bassist Benjamin Orr. The song`s video was directed by actor Timothy Hutton and features Ric Ocasek arguing with a troubled young woman played by model Paulina Porizkova (whom Ocasek would later marry). "Hello Again" had a video directed by Andy Warhol, who also appeared onscreen.[13]

Despite not being released as a single, "It`s Not the Night" reached number 31 on the Top Rock Tracks chart.[14] The song "Stranger Eyes" was used in the theatrical trailer of the 1986 film Top Gun, but never made it onto the soundtrack. "Looking for Love" was covered by Austrian singer Falco as "Munich Girls" on his 1985 album Falco 3.

When the Cars performed at Live Aid, they played three songs from the album ("You Might Think", "Drive", and the album`s title track), alongside the fan favorite "Just What I Needed".

The album was produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange. His commitment to the Cars` album meant that he told Def Leppard he could not work on their album Hysteria. However, due to delays in that album`s recording, Lange was eventually able to produce it.

Artwork

The cover art (including an image of a 1971 Plymouth Duster 340 and an Alberto Vargas pin-up model[15][16]) is from a 1972 piece by Peter Phillips called Art-O-Matic Loop di Loop.[17]

Full cover spread

Track listing

All tracks are written by Ric Ocasek; track 7 co-written by Greg Hawkes

Notes

• "Stranger Eyes" is titled "Stranger" on the label of early US vinyl pressings, though the title is listed as "Stranger Eyes" on the inner sleeve.
• "Heartbeat City" is titled "Jacki" on the inner sleeve of early US vinyl pressings, though the title is listed (correctly) as "Heartbeat City" on the label. On early cassette versions, the track is titled "Jacki" on the cassette insert, but as "Heartbeat City" on the actual tape.

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Heartbeat City.[18]

The Cars

• Ric Ocasek – vocals, guitar
• Ben Orr – vocals, bass guitar
• Elliot Easton – guitar, vocals
• Greg Hawkes – keyboards, vocals, Fairlight CMI programming
• David Robinson – drums, Fairlight programming

Additional musicians

• Andy Topeka – Fairlight CMI programming

Technical

• Robert John "Mutt" Lange – production
• The Cars – production
• Nigel Green – recording engineering
• Mike Shipley – mixing engineering
• George Marino – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York City)
• Andy Topeka – production assistance
• David Heglmeier – production assistance
• Steve Rance – production assistance

Artwork

• Peter Phillips – cover painting
• HSU – art direction
• Cathy Henszey – art direction
• Doris Kloster – photography
• George Holz – photography
• David Robinson – cover design

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for Heartbeat City