Door to Door (album)

Last updated
Door to Door
The Cars - Door to Door (album).png
Studio album by
the Cars
ReleasedAugust 25, 1987
RecordedApril–May 1987
Studio Electric Lady (New York City)
Genre Rock [1]
Length46:43
Label Elektra
Producer Ric Ocasek
The Cars chronology
Greatest Hits
(1985)		Door to Door
(1987)		 Just What I Needed: The Cars Anthology
(1995)
Singles from Door to Door
  1. "You Are the Girl"
    Released: August 1987
  2. "Strap Me In"
    Released: October 19, 1987
  3. "Coming Up You"
    Released: January 1988
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]

Door to Door is the sixth studio album by American rock 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.

Contents

Background

Door to Door was both the group's last studio album with the original lineup before they disbanded in 1988 and the last to feature bassist Benjamin Orr before his death in 2000. The band would not release another studio album until Move Like This (2011).

Although by 1987, the Cars had reached the heights of superstardom, their last few albums had relied heavily on studio tricks and machines, but this album was an attempt to return to the group's original roots. For example, where the previous album, Heartbeat City , extensively used sampled and sequenced drums (a move that had somewhat alienated drummer David Robinson), this album returned to having Robinson performing the drums in the studio, often simultaneously with other band members.

During a writing jam session, the band began to play "Ta Ta Wayo Wayo", a song from their earliest days together. It had never been recorded in studio, except as a demo in 1977. They enjoyed the tune so much that the 1987 version of the song made it onto the album. The opening track, "Leave or Stay", also was originally a 1977 demo that was not properly recorded until Door to Door, although they had often played the song live in the band's early days. [3] Both tracks had their respective 1977 demo versions eventually issued on the 1995 compilation Just What I Needed: The Cars Anthology .

The lead single from the album, "You Are the Girl", reached number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Album Rock Tracks chart. [4] [5] The follow-up single, "Strap Me In", peaked at number 85 on the Hot 100, while reaching number four on the rock chart. [4] [5] The final single, "Coming Up You", peaked at number 74 on the Hot 100, as well as number 37 on the Hot Adult Contemporary chart. [4] [6]

The tour to promote Door to Door would turn out to be their last with the original lineup and the show on December 12, 1987 (the final show on the tour) at the Cobo Arena in Detroit would be the last time they performed with Orr.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Ric Ocasek, except where noted.

Side one
No.TitleVocalsLength
1."Leave or Stay"Ocasek2:55
2."You Are the Girl"
3:52
3."Double Trouble"Orr4:14
4."Fine Line"Ocasek5:22
5."Everything You Say"Orr4:52
6."Ta Ta Wayo Wayo"Ocasek2:52
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)VocalsLength
7."Strap Me In" Ocasek4:22
8."Coming Up You" Orr4:18
9."Wound Up on You" Ocasek5:02
10."Go Away"
Orr4:38
11."Door to Door" Ocasek3:17
Total length:46:43

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Door to Door. [7]

The Cars

Technical

Artwork

Charts

Related Research Articles

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

The Cars were an American rock 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 rock band the Cars, released on June 6, 1978, by Elektra Records. Produced by Roy Thomas Baker, the album spawned the singles "Just What I Needed", "My Best Friend's Girl", and "Good Times Roll". It peaked at number 18 on the US Billboard 200 and has been certified six-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ric Ocasek</span> American singer-songwriter, musician, record producer (1944–2019)

Richard Theodore Otcasek, known as Ric Ocasek, was an American singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. He was the primary co-lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, songwriter, and frontman for the rock band the Cars. In addition to his work with the Cars, Ocasek recorded seven solo albums, and his song "Emotion in Motion" was a top 20 hit in the United States in 1986. Ocasek also worked as a record producer for artists such as Motion City Soundtrack, Suicide, Bad Brains, Weezer, Nada Surf, Guided by Voices, and No Doubt. In 2018, Ocasek was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Cars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benjamin Orr</span> American bassist and singer (1947–2000)

Benjamin Orzechowski, known professionally as Benjamin Orr, was an American musician best known as the bassist, co-lead vocalist, and co-founder of the rock band The Cars. He sang lead vocals on several of their best-known songs, including "Just What I Needed", "Let's Go" and "Drive". He also had a moderate solo hit with "Stay the Night".

<i>Panorama</i> (The Cars album) 1980 studio album by the Cars

Panorama is the third studio album by American rock band the Cars, released on August 15, 1980, by Elektra Records. Like its predecessors, it was produced by Roy Thomas Baker and released on Elektra Records.

<i>Shake It Up</i> (The Cars album) 1981 studio album by the Cars

Shake It Up is the fourth studio album by American rock band the Cars, released on November 6, 1981, by Elektra Records. It was the last Cars record to be produced by Roy Thomas Baker. A much more pop-oriented album than its predecessor, its title track became the band's first Billboard top-10 single. Spin magazine included it on their "50 Best Albums of 1981" list. In 2021, Rhino Entertainment re-released the album on neon green vinyl.

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

Heartbeat City is the fifth studio album by American rock band the Cars, released on March 13, 1984, by Elektra Records. The band produced the album with Robert John "Mutt" Lange.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (The Cars album) 1985 greatest hits album by the Cars

Greatest Hits is a greatest hits album by American rock band the Cars, released on October 25, 1985, by Elektra Records. "Tonight She Comes", a previously unreleased song, and a remix of "I'm Not the One" were issued as singles to support the album. It was a commercial success, going six-times platinum.

<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">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">Shake It Up (The Cars song)</span> 1981 single by the Cars

"Shake It Up" is a song by American rock band the Cars from their fourth studio album of the same name (1981). It was released on November 9, 1981, as the album's lead single. Although appearing for the first time in 1981, it was actually written years earlier by the band's songwriter and lead singer Ric Ocasek. The song became one of the Cars' most popular songs, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Billboard Top Tracks chart in early 1982. With the track "Cruiser" as its B-side, it reached number 14 on the Billboard Disco Top 80 chart.

<i>Just What I Needed: The Cars Anthology</i> 1995 compilation album by The Cars

Just What I Needed: The Cars Anthology is a two-disc, career-spanning compilation album of songs by the American new wave rock band the Cars. It features most of the band's singles, as well as many album tracks, non-album B-sides and unreleased songs.

<i>Complete Greatest Hits</i> (The Cars album) 2002 greatest hits album by the Cars

Complete Greatest Hits is a greatest hits album by American rock band the Cars, released on February 19, 2002, by Elektra Records and Rhino Records. It contains 20 singles and notable album tracks in chronological order of their original release. Sales of the album reignited following Ric Ocasek's death in September 2019.

<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.

<i>This Side of Paradise</i> (album) 1986 studio album by Ric Ocasek

This Side of Paradise is the second solo studio album released by Ric Ocasek, lead singer and songwriter of the Cars. It was released in 1986 by Geffen Records. Though it was a solo album, other members of the Cars played significant roles. Greg Hawkes plays keyboards and bass throughout the album, and also co-wrote "Hello Darkness". Benjamin Orr is on backing vocals for three songs. Along with Hawkes and Orr, the track "True To You" also features Elliot Easton on guitar. Both production and drumming were by Chris Hughes. Hughes was the recent producer of Tears for Fears most popular two albums. Steve Stevens from Billy Idol's band plays guitar on over half of the album.

The discography of the American rock band the Cars includes seven studio albums, eight compilation albums, four video albums and 26 singles. Originating in Boston in 1976, the band consisted of singer/guitarist Ric Ocasek, singer/bassist Benjamin Orr, guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes, and drummer David Robinson. The Cars sold over 23 million albums in the United States and had 13 singles that reached the Top 40. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.

<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">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">Emotion in Motion (song)</span> 1986 single by Ric Ocasek

"Emotion in Motion" is a song by Ric Ocasek, the main songwriter and lead vocalist for The Cars. It was featured on his second solo album, This Side of Paradise, and released as a single in late 1986. The tune topped the Album Rock Tracks chart and reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song features Tears For Fears' frontman Roland Orzabal as a guest musician. It was Ocasek's only top 40 hit as a solo artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Are the Girl</span> 1987 single by the Cars

"You Are the Girl" is a 1987 song by the Cars, from their album Door to Door. It was released as a single in August 1987, reaching number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also reached number 2 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and number 12 on the Adult Contemporary chart. It was the Cars' 13th and final Top 40 hit.

References

  1. 1 2 DeGagne, Mike. "Door to Door – The Cars". AllMusic . Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  2. ↑ Larkin, Colin, ed. (2011). "Cars". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). London: Omnibus Press. ISBN   978-0-85712-595-8.
  3. ↑ Deriso, Nick (August 25, 2017). "Why the Cars Ran off the Road with 'Door to Door'". Ultimate Classic Rock . Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 "The Cars Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard . Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  5. 1 2 "The Cars Chart History (Mainstream Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  6. ↑ "The Cars Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  7. ↑ Door to Door (liner notes). The Cars. Elektra Records. 1987. 60747-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 56. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  9. ↑ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 0889". RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  10. ↑ "European Hot 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 4, no. 39. October 3, 1987. p. 18. OCLC   29800226 – via World Radio History.
  11. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN   978-951-1-21053-5.
  12. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Cars – Door to Door" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Charts.nz – The Cars – Door to Door". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – The Cars – Door to Door". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – The Cars – Door to Door". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – The Cars – Door to Door". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  18. ↑ "The Cars Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Top 100 Albums of '87". RPM. Vol. 47, no. 12. December 26, 1987. p. 9. ISSN   0033-7064 – via Library and Archives Canada.
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.