The Cars - Touch And Go (Live On Fridays)

[@finkboy66]

Elliott's solos always told a story custom built for the song - a criminally underrated guitarist

[@InstantLeprosy]

I love that description. I think you nailed it.

[@WhatsWrongWithTheStreet]

I came here to say the same thing. Elliot is great. A legend. Simple as that.

[@Johnny-re9kg]

The Secret Weapon. Melodic and tasteful. The song within the song.

[@rickmontgomery3037]

Well said and totally agree!!

[@laguanhayes214]

Elliot Easton throws it down on this one. I swear this guy has some of the most well phrased solos of any guitarist alive or dead.

[@WhatsWrongWithTheStreet]

I am right there with you.

[@stephenjohn4837]

This was on in the Fall of 1980. How time flies by.

[@randallfrank5682]

Have we been having fun since 1980? Well, yes most of the time. I just had my 77th birthday, I'm still alive and enjoying good music on the interweb. I thank God that I didn't blow out my ear drums back in "the day," although my ears hurt the next day after I sat through a small venue "Tubes" concert where all I could do was roll up some drink napkins for ear plugs.

[@MrGuitarHack]

Such a fantastic band and great music. Rest In Peace - Ben Orr and sadly now Ric Ocasek

[@s.d.haddock1678]

MrGuitarHack 😢💔🌹

[@DD-lc8ei]

Great Musicians many years of happiness listening 🎶 ❤ the greatest of memories, Much £♡V¥€

[@timczifrik]

Dam... I miss this band so much..!!! They were so awesome.

[@magicmike6961]

EE was a master at the guitar solo.

[@tacoma5543]

Slime Shady I agree wholeheartedly. His solos were always perfectly placed and fit the song to a T and we're only what the song needed. He never played like he was showing off. Guitarists who shred or are always trying to have all the attention from the crowd are BORING. If you can't hum a bands guitar solo then it's forgotten and every one of Elliott's solos, fills and rhythm playing are memorable. Even a passing fan IMO would say..."I think I heard that in a Cars song" before they even recognized the song.

[@tinaclayton8828]

I have always thought he was very underrated. His guitar sound was so much of who the Cars were and his solos were perfection itself.

[@Endthenonsense]

Yes...very tasteful guitar solo

[@s.d.haddock1678]

Tacoma 55 WOW! What a great tribute to M. Elliot Easton! Thank you! 🙏

[@s.d.haddock1678]

Tina Clayton Perfection is the word! Thank you Mr. Easton...🙏🙏🙏

[@davidnelson6874]

I so love this performance. The 5/4 beat is perfect, it makes the galloping beat that follows all the more exhilarating. Maybe my favorite pop/rock song ever. Eliot is such a perfect fit for the band and nails the solo. He is a one of a kind guitarist.

[@artrogue4150]

Panorama on eight track. Cruising in my car. Going to pick up a new wave chick for a date. Damn time does flyyy. Loved this band.

[@theresonlyone5309]

They sound spectacular in this Friday's performance & Ric looks great, looks relaxed! At song end when the crowd bursts into a loud roar of pleasure & praise, his smile is priceless! How incredible it must be to feel that level of appreciation. Elliot Easton's lead! They're all in high gear.

[@s.d.haddock1678]

theresonlyone 👍👍👍

[@35sixer]

Love the smile Ric gives the audience at the end. Will be missed.

[@diarodjose9114]

Great job drummer

[@robertwhite7071]

Real, real good solo, and though I’m not a big keyboard guy, I think Greg Hawkes was the unsung hero of the band And really under appreciated.

[@ВераДУХ-л3д]

В ТОЧКУ! 👌

[@rickmontgomery3037]

Well said...

[@kevinlangley9644]

Elliot Easton has got to be one of the most underrated guitarists. The lead in this is awesome is all of his guitar work. Love The Cars.

[@phnigra1313]

Such an odd little tune by the Cars.. with that 5/4 time signature- it begins with that dark vibe and then by the chorus it feels as if we’re in an amusement park. Then the awesome guitar solo that has an almost country swagger.. Such a whirlwind of a song!

[@jeffs3752]

Nobody cranked out 4 minute pop songs like the Cars.

[@julenepegher6999]

This is Sheer Perfection!! When you think it can’t get any better there’s Ben’s White Shoes!! Yes!!

[@MrDdefos]

I saw this live on tv while a senior in high school. When I reference The Cars on Fridays, nobody even knows what the heck I'm talking about. What happened?

[@InstantLeprosy]

Fridays was amazing - they blew SNL out of the water the years they were on - both in terms of comedy and live acts. Some of the Devo performances on Fridays are truly epic.... as are many other bands: The Jam, Kiss, The Clash, Plastmatics, Pretenders, AC/DC. I remember Huey Lewis and the News making their TV debut - playing Working For A Living and at the end of the song he says "I'm Huey Lewis... and you've just heard the News!"... and I saw it live.

[@TedByars]

Man I remember this performance. They were so freaking good. RIP Ric.

[@dcfincher]

Funny how the country and western guitar sound fits so well with this new wave song.

[@robertwallace183]

Best Live Performance I've ever seen...Too bad The Cars didn't arrive today...Blow everyone outta the water. Odd Perfection. Elliott killin it.

[@chrisr2198]

I love this one because you can actually see that Ric is having fun up there and interacting with the other guys and even the audience. If your a fan like I am, you know this is not always the case. Really great, tight performance too!

[@stereopolice]

+Chris Rowland Definitely.

[@brandonwymer1175]

I've been watching a lot of the early live stuff and they just seem to be working well together and having fun doing it.... And that smile at the end is priceless.

[@susiekidd9183]

I just assumed they were told to move & be more engaging on stage here. Weren’t the critiqued for being too stiff?

[@donnastachowski3867]

9-15-19 ~ R.I.P. RIC This was one of my favorites that he sang. I like many other's grew up playing the Cars music. I am now 62, and still listen. He will surely be missed. Thanks for the catalogs of the many , many tunes Ric. Loved The band you formed The cars......it got a lot of us through our youth . Hope you and Benjamin are jamming together again. Love you always.

[@julenepegher6999]

Donna Stachowski I’m right behind you at 61 still listening to my beloved Cars. So many great songs so many memories from my youth. Oh to go back in time!

[@voyagersa22]

This is just fucking beautiful!! Ricks moves and that bass.. brilliant band

[@ETandAssociates]

The offbeat stanzas at the intro grab you. Great melodies, tight instrumentation and vocals make this a song that offers something new with every listen. My favourite of many hits by The Cars.

[@johndeaux83]

Ever humble Ben almost appears to make sure he let's Ric have the spotlight in this awesomely musically innovative song!

[@julenepegher6999]

Yes, awesome song and Ben a Class act!

[@dianegargano175]

He was so wonderful, he eases his way in hes so graceful , and then steps back , like the incredible musician that he was.

[@blacklodge8499]

Orr was selfless. Total team player. And criminally underrated as a bassist.

[@InstantLeprosy]

It's tough having a band with two front men - there has to be willing give and take from both sides. I think they balanced it well.

[@starrmann4370]

The Cars were way before their time... Benjamin Orr was the original front man but the marketing genius, unique voice and total coolness of Ric Ocasek took them to international level... RIP RIC & BEN.

[@kmars21]

ive been into a nostalgic phase the last few days and the Cars have been a perfect fit for my mindset

[@williamchappell9858]

Elliot Easton was very underrated guitarist it's a damn shame need I say more?

[@paulwhite6742]

One of the best live bands ever,best band period

[@randallfrank5682]

So glad that I found this video, I had forgotten about this song. It is so cool and I love the "Look," especially the shoes that Benjamin Orr has on. Elliot's guitar solos were always so right for the song.

[@paulosicne5803]

Waaay too many thumbs downs on this video. There shouldn't be any. This was a totally better time. Great music and when America was a free country.

[@markydee48]

I grew up listening to hard rock and metal, but these guys were the exception. I saw them live several times, and what an amazing band. Each one of those guys are solid. Elliot Easton, a fellow Long Island native.... so horribly underrated. Listen to all of their songs, and just listen to his solos. They are just masterpieces. This song was one of them. The Cars were one of a kind.

[@robertrepenning4752]

One of the truly great American bands! Sheer genius!

[@kenhanson4015]

I would use my one ride in a time machine to go back and be in this audience. RIP Ben and Rick and music this good.

[@yogi2.057]

Let's see ANY other rock band cover that tune as well live. The Cars were an intense and memorizing band live - especially as a set progressed. Listen to the genuine intensity of the crowd reactions too. That's music-mojo-magic reaching different vibes in people.

[@17fourU]

Wow. I remember making a plan to watch Fridays when the Cars were playing. This song is so mesmerizing.

[@jonlevinson3000]

Awesome performance

[@s.d.haddock1678]

OMG! What a beautiful gift! This performance is priceless! They were in good shape that night! David’s drums so tight, Greg’s synths so animated, Ben’s bass so strong and his charisma is on a high level, Elliot’s solos so uniques and Ric’s energy! That smile at the end is soooooo sweet!!! And a lovely crowd too!!! THANK YOU! 🙏🙏🙏

[@saml865]

I love everything about this performance, same as Sylvie said above. Check out Ben's smouldering presence!! Even though he wasn't up in front singing lead, his presence was magnetic, I can't take my eyes off of him!

[@s.d.haddock1678]

Sam L Totally agree with you! Benjamin was soooooooo charismatic!!! It’s very rare to see that! He was exceptional...👍👍👍

[@julenepegher6999]

Awesome performance by all and yes all Ben has to do is just stand there he’s that electrifying can’t stop looking at him either but I have to say his shoes are doing it for me in this video. Love em!

[@ravibritto6334]

Wonderful Guitarist.......😍😍😍👏👏👏👏👏

[@roberthollander4522]

All these years I've been trying to emulate the "touch and go" synth on a prophet 5 and it looks like it was from a Roland VP-330 Vocoder. WOW!! (sorry, synth geek here). But amazing to learn!

[@mbrew3244]

Geek away man, geek away.

[@iKumala]

that's the perfect synthesis of individuals at their peak. Cars forever.

[@rodneycs8373]

That's an awesome hit!

[@miguelperry5721]

TOP NOTCH...live performance!!!

[@jerryrandrup495]

One of my favorite guitar solos, it's perfectly paired with the melody and overall mood of the song. Kudos to EE! Got to see them live a couple of times. I have all their music on my ipod and still listen to them frequently. Love this band!!!!!

[@everready19373]

I saw them at the Aladdin in Vegas back in 82. They were amazing.

[@JBags72]

Ocasek was no doubt the driving force behind the Cars but imo Easton defined their sound. 🤘🏻

[@michaelnelson8510]

Thank you Ric, for the music, the style and the lyrics.

[@psutter5]

E.E. Fender Lead guitar. Nice! The Cars were a must at parties.

[@marcopeschiera6984]

Elliott is a freaking outstanding and talented guitarist, underrated by the way.

[@s.d.haddock1678]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WONDERFUL MUSIC! 😢 YOU’RE A LEGEND NOW! HOPE YOU’RE WITH BENJAMIN AND HAVE FUN IN ROCK’N ROLL HEAVEN! RIP RIC OCASEK...🌹

[@thecars570]

Perfect sound together

[@MickMould1]

Awesome song from an Awesome album....& one of the greatest guitar solos ever

[@elgatogordo9523]

True Story! My old girl friend back in the early 80s named her horse “Touch n Go” This song reminded her writing her horses 😁

[@tampabaybuccaneersfan7904]

Rick was happy, the crowd was happy, I'm happy.

[@guymorris6420]

Three people don't have the ability to touch and go but the rest of us can shake it up.

[@MoeMuzic13]

DOUBLE E, Awesome guitarist! Rock On, Cars......

[@reneanya]

touch and go are my best song in the cars album !

[@tacoma5543]

I have been a rabid fan of The Cars since I first heard them on the radio in Tennessee in 1979 and still love the band and I've always thought Ben's bass line in this particular song was killer. Sounds so easy yet perfectly melodic. To my ears the only bassist to surpass him in terms of melody is Paul McCartney. Such a shame and incredibly unfair he died so very young. Cancer SUCKS.

[@eddyrenzooreramirez5872]

The Cars ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ВераДУХ-л3д]

ВСЕ ТАЛАНТЫ! ГРУППА ШЕДЕВР! БОЖЕСТВЕННЫЙ ГОЛОС БЕНА БУДУТ СЛУШАТЬ ВЕКАМИ! 👌👌🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮2023Г.СПАСИБО! 🙏

[@felipelizana7502]

one of the finest post punk pop's song

[@carolafarias3570]

Que hermoso era Ben !

[@joseopazo1229]

Elliot Easton guitar badass solo!

[@jcsilva1225]

Perfection.

[@realRonStubbings]

Anytime anyone says "The Cars were good but not that challenging as musicians". Simply say, "Touch and Go"! I have no idea what this sounded like as a demo. Did Ric write the bass line and build around that? Or did he start with Keys? And how about those time signature changes? Was that part of the Ocasek demo or did the band develop that? They only way I can imagine he came up with this song was by writing the bass line first then introducing a simplified drum line. But I've never heard of Ocasek writing on the Bass. My understanding is he writes primarily on guitar and on occasion (songs like Drive) on keys. I know it was a group effort in the end (Only Elliot Easton writes those solo's) but I would love to know how this particular song was developed. By the way, thanks for the upload, the sound is great!

[@ShoutFactoryMusic]

Thank you for sharing

[@RabiBenLavi]

+Ron Stubbings The guitar and keys on the verse is 4/4, so probably the drummer and bass player came up with the 5/4 behind it when they got together to do his song. There's a lot of input from other band members, as in this case, and even bass lines and drum parts from session musicians in songs.

[@realRonStubbings]

+Rabi Ben Lavi I don't think the Cars ever used session musicians for recording or playing live. They've been my favourite band since forever and I've never come across session musicians on Cars albums. Elliot said it was given to the Cars as a keys vocal track. The rest was the bands input. That came right from Elliot Easton via private message. No mention of session musicians.

[@RabiBenLavi]

Ron Stubbings I didn't say they did. I said the other band members contributed their own parts to the songs.

[@realRonStubbings]

+Rabi Ben Lavi Sorry, my mistake. Absolutely the other members often wrote their own parts. In "Touch and Go" for example: Easton wrote that solo, Orr wrote his bass and Robinson wrote his drum sync.

[@Richvids48]

Cars are the coolest

[@JRAFF145]

From September 19, 1980

[@highbrow2373]

This is the best version because it ends and doesnt go to maybe baby

[@tds6599]

Mr Easton is a GOD.

[@MiguelHernandez-pk5ld]

The BEST

[@davidmirandarimarachin1587]

Perfecto😎

[@buddylove346]

I like this version of the show on this song as at the end you can see how Ric was so thankful for the crowd's reaction. I've said it before and I will say it again "If you got to grow up in the 50's through the 80's YOU were blessed!"

[@tinfoilhatter]

gad *dang*, man! too effin' *good*, mate!

[@stereopolice]

Pre-Ritalin Rock and Roll was so f'ing good. Glad I experienced it in real-time.

What was Ric on during this show? This and the later segment (Shoo-be-Doo, Gimme Some Slack) .....he was never so animated before or since!

[@bernadettedrake9091]

My fav band till i discovered the police but they will always b special to me..they ROCK!!!

[@kandee-o5970]

Best parts of this video are at 1:56 and 3:05. Benjamin, you were so hot!!

[@randowoman]

Kandee -O totally agree...be still my heart.

[@phucff5154]

Even to this day, i still don't know if they mean to said seamen kite or semen kite.

[@bigbiscuit2245]

Yes

[@jrussell4711]

Who could ask for more?

[@westbethkid]

RIP Ric Ocasek

[@bramorlock4146]

Clean..

[@bramorlock4146]

Fuckin BADASS !!!!!!!

[@JRAFF145]

From September 19, 1980

[@erreugeto]

37 years ago today!

[@DD-lc8ei]

Jitterbug, what time 0ur you picking me up and what is her name ?

[@Boblobblaw88]

Elliot en fuego!

[@davidbeverly6411]

How's your headache? It's touch and go...

[@caraduratv5706]

R.I.P Ric Ocasek.

[@davidratcliffe1]

KILLER

[@AECJ1]

Let's Get Real #GetRealCreepO #MemoryEternal #strawberryincenseforever #KeepOnKeepinOn #ThrewOutThroughOut #BirthdaysYesOk #bathrobeblues #phantomoftheopera #HopeThisHelps #LaughsLast #eyes #crazyeyes #DrTerror #BadHats #BigFangs #BigHearts #DammitQuint #TheJawsGro #aecjdrumwalk #dreamhome #laughslast #AprilBirthdays #PeaceAfterAll

[@tomasavalos5907]

BEN

[@memejones17]

Rip Ric

[@antrygis1]

Poor Charles Rocket said the F word and we all got it. WE all said it but it was LIVE>>> And several years later he ended up killing himself. It was a promising show a lot of us anted to happen. SNL was in a terrible tailspin and we needed some late night relief. The Cars were big and any other guests, Tom Petty? showed up too. But ultimately andy Kaufman, the Rocket incident etc. etc. caused the show to ka-bloeey. Yes, Lefty guitarist had one of his finest moments. "Flying like a cement kite. Cha.

[@micheler4120]

Ben Orr

[@jeffs3752]

I loved the Cars, but this is the kind of performance that shows pop music is a joke.

[@livenhfree]

Meh. I love the Cars. But I never cared for this tune. Kind of disjointed musically. Not much to grab on to.

[@mangore623]

This is when the Cars lost the plot, and veered into mediocrity. Horrifying to think that this followed Candy-O.

[@JimmBailey]

Yes, that's true. I think perhaps they were trying to move away from the straight forward pop/rock sound of the first two LPs. Great as they are, "Panorama" also came about around the period in 1980 where the new wave movement is really starting to take off and take over. There were some great tracks on here, including this one. And Elliott's guitar work and solo is the highlight here.

[@johnc6944]

TERRIBLE

[@anyone-f2r]

Let’s hear your band, as$wipe.

[@anyone-f2r]

Ben Orr playing a fender precision bass special?