The Cars: Let's Go

It’s TV Thursday and one of the latest Target commercials uses the Cars’ top 20 hit from 1979 – “Let’s Go.” It was the first single release from their second LP “Candy-O.” It’s a great tune from a band categorized as “New Wave” in the late 70s. This is a song I remember playing at WAMX in the year and half that I worked as a part-timer at that station. It’s a great little tune despite its peak position of 14.

Demo Version of “I Love the Night Life Baby”

Before “Candy-O” was released, the original version of the song was recorded by the Cars under the original title of “I Love the Night Life Baby.” Before the hand claps and the “Let’s Go” vocals were added to the song (ala the Routers), Ric Ocasek sang lead on his composition. For the album, the vocal duties were turned over to bassist Benjamin Orr. There are also some extra keyboards parts. In all, it is basically the same arrangement otherwise.

I haven’t been able to find the process of how these changes occurred, but possibly their producer, Roy Thomas Baker, made the decision. Your guess is as good as mine. It is a nice rendition of the future hit.