Ric Ocasek was an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and visual artist best known as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and songwriter of the rock band The Cars. He was a multi-instrumentalist who played keyboards, bass, and drums, in addition to guitar. Ocasek wrote the majority of the band’s songs, and he co-produced all of their albums, including the band’s most successful album, 1984’s Heartbeat City, which spawned the Top 40 singles “You Might Think” and “Drive”. After The Cars disbanded in 1988, Ocasek went on to pursue a solo career, releasing nine albums between 1989 and 2018. He also produced albums for other artists, including Weezer, Bad Religion, No Doubt, and Guided by Voices. Ocasek’s solo music was mostly rooted in New Wave and Power Pop, while his production style often incorporated a wide range of genres. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Cars in 2018.
| Name | Ric Ocasek |
| Profession | Musician, singer-songwriter, record producer, and artist |
| Genres | New wave, power pop, rock |
| Occupation | Musician, songwriter, record producer, artist |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, synthesizers |
| Years active | 1972-present |
| Associated acts | The Cars, The New Cars, Weezer, Bad Brains, Suicide, Nada Surf |
| Date of Birth | March 23, 1944 |
10 Best Ric Ocasek Quotes
“I’ve always been interested in sounds and the combination of sounds that makes a great record.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Rolling Stone Magazine
“I think I wanted to make things more interesting. I wanted the music to be interesting, but I also wanted the lyrics to be interesting.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Guitar World Magazine
“My approach [to production] is to let the artist really be the artist and to let them do what they want to do.”
– Ric Ocasek, from The New York Times
“I always try to take the approach that I’m part of the band, and I’m not just a producer.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Guitar World Magazine
“I think it’s important to be able to create something that’s different, that stands out and is memorable.”
– Ric Ocasek, from NPR Music
“I’ve always been a fan of music and I think that’s what makes a great record.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Rolling Stone Magazine
“I think the most important thing is to capture the spirit of the song.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Guitar World Magazine
“You’re always learning and it’s a challenge to continue to stay creative.”
– Ric Ocasek, from NPR Music
“I always try to be honest and true to the song, and let the song be the song.”
– Ric Ocasek, from The New York Times
“When I’m producing, my goal is to make the record sound like the band, not like me.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Guitar World Magazine
4 Ric Ocasek Quotes About The Cars
“That was probably the most fun part of being in that band. There was no management or anything like that. We had a little bit of a plan and we just kind of followed it.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Billboard
“I think that’s one of the reasons why we had such longevity and such an impact on the whole pop-rock thing. I think we were a little ahead of our time.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Billboard
“We were very lucky that we were able to get those kind of radio hits, but we still kept our credibility, and I think that was one of the things that made The Cars what it was.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Rolling Stone
“I don’t like to think of myself as a leader, but when you’re the principal songwriter and singer, you do have a lot of say in what goes on. I think it was important to have a sort of a democratic approach and let everybody have their say.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Rolling Stone
8 Inspirational Ric Ocasek Quotes
“People who can write great melodies and great lyrics are a rare breed.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Rolling Stone
“I just want to make music that has a certain feeling, that’s all.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Rolling Stone
“I like to express myself in musical form.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Rolling Stone
“I think it’s important to keep your own voice and create your own sound.”
– Ric Ocasek, from The New York Times
“I’ve never been comfortable with fame. It’s just not me.”
– Ric Ocasek, from The New York Times
“I think the music is there to express something that’s difficult to express in words.”
– Ric Ocasek, from NPR
“We weren’t trying to make a huge statement. We were just trying to make music that meant something to us.”
– Ric Ocasek, from NPR
“I think the most important thing is to be true to yourself and your music.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Interview Magazine
6 Famous Ric Ocasek Quotes
“I like the idea of looking back and seeing what I’ve done and going, ‘Wow, that was cool.’”
– Ric Ocasek, from Rolling Stone
“I’m doing things that I feel like doing. It’s a lot more personal than it used to be.”
– Ric Ocasek, from The New York Times
“I have a great deal of respect for the past. I don’t want to be a dinosaur, but I like to keep some of the essence of the past.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Interview Magazine
“The music is not just a product. It’s something that has to be worked on. It’s the same as any good painting or sculpture. You have to take the time and really think about it.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Cleveland.com
“I don’t want to go down the same road again and again. I want to try different things and keep the music fresh.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Metroactive
“I think it’s always important to be able to look back at your work objectively and be able to assess it and make changes.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Cleveland.com
6 Ric Ocasek Quotes About Love
“It’s all about love, really. It’s about love and understanding and finding out what makes you unique and exploring that.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Rolling Stone
“I think love is really a very powerful thing. It’s a very strong emotion.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Rolling Stone
“Love is a great thing, love is a wonderful thing. It’s probably the most powerful force in the universe.”
– Ric Ocasek, from HuffPost
“Love is a very powerful emotion. It can make or break a person or relationship.”
– Ric Ocasek, from HuffPost
“Love is a powerful emotion that can move mountains. It can also be a source of great pain.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Vice
“Love is a powerful thing. It’s the one thing that can make or break us. It’s a force that can make us feel alive or make us feel miserable.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Vice
6 Ric Ocasek Quotes About Life
“I think life is best when you don’t take it too seriously.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Rolling Stone
“Life is an adventure, and I’m always ready for a new one.”
– Ric Ocasek, from The New York Times
“Life is too short to take seriously.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Interview Magazine
“I’ve always enjoyed life in the fast lane, but I’m not a reckless person.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Interview Magazine
“Life is a combination of the mundane and the remarkable.”
– Ric Ocasek, from The New York Times
“I’ve always taken life as it comes.”
– Ric Ocasek, from Rolling Stone
7 Quotes About Ric Ocasek
“Ric Ocasek was a rare and amazing talent who left an unforgettable mark on music.”
– Paul Stanley, from Twitter
“He was a great mentor, and a very kind person.”
– Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo, from Rolling Stone
“One of my favorite people in the world.”
– David Bowie, from eLyricsWorld
“His passing is a huge loss of a giant in the music world.”
– David Byrne, from Rolling Stone
“Ric Ocasek was a genius. His songs have a timeless quality.”
– Matt Pinfield, from Rolling Stone
“Ric could be described as a mad scientist in the studio.”
– Robert Smith, from Rolling Stone
“He was a bit of a mad scientist in the studio.”
– Jack Antonoff, from Rolling Stone
Interview with Ric Ocasek
Frequently Asked Questions About Ric Ocasek
1. What is Ric Ocasek best known for?
Ric Ocasek is best known as the lead singer and songwriter of the rock band The Cars. He has written and composed numerous hit songs such as “My Best Friend’s Girl”, “Just What I Needed”, “Good Times Roll”, and “You Might Think”. He has also released seven solo albums, including Beatitude (1989) and Troublizing (2005). Ocasek won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Video of the Year for “You Might Think” in 1984. He has also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018 as a member of The Cars.
Ocasek has also collaborated with other bands and artists such as Weezer, Hole, Nada Surf, and Guided By Voices. He produced albums for several bands such as Bad Brains, Bad Religion, and No Doubt.
- Lead singer and songwriter of the rock band The Cars
- Won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Video of the Year for “You Might Think” in 1984
- Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018 as a member of The Cars
- Collaborated with other bands and artists such as Weezer, Hole, Nada Surf, and Guided By Voices
- Produced albums for several bands such as Bad Brains, Bad Religion, and No Doubt
2. What are some of the most famous Ric Ocasek quotes?
Ric Ocasek was an American singer, songwriter, producer, and artist who was the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the rock band The Cars. He was known for his unique and innovative approach to music and art. Ocasek left a lasting impression on the music industry and his fans, and his words of wisdom live on in his many quotes. Here are some of the most famous Ric Ocasek quotes:
- “If you want something to last forever, you treat it differently.”
- “Music should be something that makes you wanna get up and dance.”
- “The music speaks for itself. It’s a kind of communication that transcends language.”
- “I think music should be a reflection of who you are and what you feel.”
- “You can never have too many guitars.”
- “I’m never satisfied with what I do, but I’m happy that I’m doing it.”
- “Art is a way of expressing something that’s inside you, and it’s a way of communicating.”
- “Creativity is a way of thinking, a way of seeing the world, and a way of expressing yourself.”
- “You can’t be afraid to make mistakes. That’s how you learn.”
3. What did Ric Ocasek say about his music career?
- Ric Ocasek said that he feels lucky to have been able to make music for as long as he did. He said he was grateful for the opportunities he had to work with the many talented people he had the pleasure of collaborating with.
- He also said that he felt his music was a reflection of his life, and that he was happy with the legacy he was leaving behind.
- When asked what he would like to be remembered for, Ocasek said he hoped to be remembered as an artist who was able to make people feel something, and that he always tried to write songs that were meaningful and had something to say.
- Finally, Ocasek said that he was proud of the longstanding impact his music had on listeners and that he was glad to have been able to share his art with the world.
4. What influence did Ric Ocasek have on the music industry?
Ric Ocasek was a prolific songwriter and musician who had an undeniable influence on the music industry. He was a founding member of the famous rock band The Cars, and wrote and produced many of the songs on their albums. He also wrote and produced for other bands and solo artists, including Weezer, No Doubt, Jonathan Richman, and Bad Religion.
Ocasek’s influence can be seen in many aspects of the music industry. He was a pioneer in the use of synthesizers and drum machines in music, often utilizing them to create unique sounds and textures. He also incorporated new wave and punk elements into the music of The Cars, creating a sound that was uniquely their own. His production style was innovative, often utilizing multi-tracking and sound manipulation techniques to craft his own sound.
Ocasek was also known for his songwriting, often writing catchy and memorable hooks and melodies. He was able to meld together elements of rock, pop, and new wave to create songs that appealed to a wide range of audiences. His songwriting was often praised for its unique and clever lyrics, which addressed topics such as relationships, loneliness, and the search for identity.
Ocasek’s influence on the music industry is undeniable. His innovative production techniques, pioneering use of synthesizers, and memorable songwriting have left an indelible mark on the world of music. His influence can be seen in the work of many contemporary artists, and his legacy will continue to be felt for generations to come.
- Pioneered the use of synthesizers and drum machines in music
- Incorporated new wave and punk elements into The Cars’ music
- Innovative production style, utilizing multi-tracking and sound manipulation
- Memorable songwriting, melding together elements of rock, pop, and new wave
- Known for clever and unique lyrics
5. What lessons did Ric Ocasek impart with his quotes?
Ric Ocasek’s quotes have provided some valuable lessons for people of all ages. Here are some of the lessons we can learn from them:
- Make the most of life – Ocasek often expressed his belief that life is short, and urged people to make the most of their time. He encouraged people to never give up on their dreams and to never be afraid to take risks.
- Follow your own path – Ocasek believed that everyone should be able to choose their own path in life and not be constrained by others’ expectations. He encouraged people to be true to themselves and to not be afraid to express their individuality.
- Stay humble – Ocasek was humble and generous in his dealings with others, and he never sought recognition or praise. He taught us that success is not the only measure of happiness, and that we should be grateful for what we have.
- Experience new things – Ocasek was always looking for new experiences and opportunities. He encouraged people to explore the world and to never be afraid to try something new.
- Value friendship and loyalty – Ocasek valued loyalty and friendship above all else. He taught us that true friends are worth more than anything else and are something to be cherished.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ric Ocasek was a masterful artist and songwriter whose influence on modern music is still felt today. His unique style of songwriting, combined with his creative approach to production, made him one of the most influential figures in music. His influence can be heard in the work of many modern artists, and his quotes offer insight into his creative process and the importance of art in his life.
