Song #352: "Hello Again"--The Cars (1984)

For the second straight day we bring you an influential band of the 1980's that, sadly, will make a total of one contribution to our Top 500 countdown.

The Cars, of course, enjoyed influence in the late 1970's as well, and were one of rock's most consistent, durable groups when they released "Heartbeat City" in 1984. With another deep body of work, today's song was actually the fourth single to beat released from the album, following the success of songs like "Drive" and "You Might Think". In fact, "Magic", the third single, received definite consideration.

I'll always appreciate The Cars because their song, "Just What I Needed" was used at one time for the ill-fated national radio advertisement campaign to get people to buy HD Radios. One time, Clear Channel was in a bind and needed someone along the way to record some commercials for their HD Radio push in then Circuit City stores.

I readily admit swelling just a bit with pride, mostly in my right thumb, when, one day in 2007 driving in North Carolina, I heard myself on a Raleigh radio station trying to hustle on of the two worst ideas radio ever had from a technical standpoint, the other being AM Stereo.

A member of The Cars will return with a solo effort down the road, but for now, enjoy, and maybe say, "Hello Again"!