Note: I originally wrote this last year on this date for another platform. I’ve been listening to The Cars a lot lately, had my hometown on my mind, and thought it might be fun to share here with you as well.
Good Morning!
Today we’re listening to “Shake It Up” by The Cars.
The Firestone Bar was not a clean, well-lit place. It wasn’t the kind of bar you took a date to (or where you looked for one).
It had worn carpet, dirty windows, and a rogues gallery of regulars nursing bottles of Michelob and playing Keno. It was close(ish) to a college, but not a college bar. You paid covers at those and went on Friday or Saturday nights.
This was the place to go on Wednesday afternoon.
And I loved it.
They also had a great jukebox, and it was almost guaranteed that you would hear The Cars’ “Shake it Up.” The bartender was a little guy with big hair, and he’d sing along every time, like clockwork.
So today, on what would’ve been lead singer Ric Ocasek’s 78th birthday, I raise a glass to that crazy crowd and hope they finally drew a 5-spot that hit.
Sound Up & Sound Off:
“Shake It Up,” by The Cars | Shake It Up, 1981
Have a favorite song by The Cars? Favorite dive bar? Share your thoughts below!
Thanks for being here,
Kevin—
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Drive remains my favourite song. Shake it Up is okay, but lacks that powerful presence that Drive does.
I'm a "Drive" kinda guy but anything by The Cars is great in my book. Ric's production credits are wild as well! A good bar jukebox is something I've missed during the pandemic. I've got too many favorite dives to list - when I lived in NYC, I had a "Manhattan By Dive Bar" tour that everyone visiting was a big fan of!