One more song off of that great debut album. It might be one of the best debut albums of anyone.
This was written by Cars singer/guitarist Ric Ocasek and keyboard player Greg Hawkes. It’s one of the few songs Hawkes received songwriter credit on.
Most teenage boys in the eighties will remember this song. It was featured in the 1982 movie Fast Times At Ridgemont High during an unforgettable scene where the actress Phoebe Cates gets out a swimming pool while actor Judge Rienhold has his fantasy. This song was not included in the music soundtrack available for the film.
While it was never released as a single, the song was popular on rock radio stations and known as a great one to listen to through headphones. With lead vocals by Cars bass player Benjamin Orr, this song uses various studio production techniques to explore the stereo spectrum as the sound goes back and forth between the speakers.
From Songfacts
The song draws parallels between manipulating a stereo recording and moving through life. It’s a rare song where the word “tremolo” appears, which means manipulating a single note.
This song is often used to reference the famous Fast Times At Ridgemont High scene in which it appears. TV series that have paid homage include:
Family Guy in the 2001 episode “The Kiss Seen Round the World,” when Meg fantasizes about newscaster Tom Tucker.
One Tree Hill in the 2009 episode “I Just Died in Your Arms Tonight” when Clay sees Sara getting out of his pool.
Stranger Things in the 2019 episode “Suzie, Do You Copy?” when a group of women ogle a male lifeguard at the pool. Later in the episode, Dustin says his girlfriend is like Phoebe Cates, “only hotter.”
The song has also appeared in episodes of Parenthood, Scrubs, Alias and The Sopranos.
Moving In Stereo
Life’s the same I’m moving in stereo
Life’s the same except for my shoes
Life’s the same you’re shakin’ like tremolo
Life’s the same it’s all inside you
It’s so easy to blow up your problems
It’s so easy to play up your breakdown
It’s so easy to fly through the window
It’s so easy to fool with the sound
It’s so tough to get up
It’s so tough
It’s so tough to live up
It’s so tough on you
Life’s the same I’m moving in stereo
Life’s the same except for my shoes
Life’s the same you’re shakin’ like tremolo
Life’s the same it’s all inside you
Life’s the same I’m moving in stereo
Life’s the same except for my shoes
Life’s the same you’re shakin’ like tremolo
Life’s the same it’s all inside you
…
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I wanted to hear the video, but I shouldn’t have a problem finding it.
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I got it…I remember finding a video and thinking…oh I’ll get a better one…well I never did. It’s on there now.
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Ha Max, now I’m curious to see the video!
eden
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Can’t believe I didn’t paste the link…it’s on there now…sorry Eden!
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Thanks Max.
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i still have the album. My first copy of it that I purchased at a sale for raising funds for the London Boys and Girls Club.
I think I paid a quarter.
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That was a good deal Roger! That is a win win situation.
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I volunteered there. I think I spent about 6 or seven bucks. I walked out with a milk crate full of lps
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I love when that happens. I bought the Doors LA Woman at a yard sale for 10 cents still wrapped in the 80s…and a Chuck Berry greatest hits.
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I know the singles way better than the other tracks on the debut – I should give it another spin.
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Six of the nine songs were played on radio a lot…and still are to this day. This one is probably the least of the 6 but being placed in that movie pushed it.
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Great song, on a par with the singles off the album, and more surprisingly, often played as if it was a single on radio. I remember that pool scene in the movie… did not remember there being any music during it,LOL
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LOL hmmm…wonder why? You are not from the eighties if you don’t know that scene.
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Geez, doesn’t anyone ever f*cking knock anymore? I think I saw this on KTLA in the early ’90’s…
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LOL… I need to watch this again.
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Doesn’t anyone ever lock anymore? Especially if you’re going to do what he’s doing. Of course these mistakes must be made: that’s entertainment! lol
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Great tune and doesn’t anyone knock anymore! lol
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LOL… I need to revisit this movie again.
I did this one after you guys mentioned the Car’s Debut Friday night with the giveaway. …and Mike said Moving in Stereo
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did u enter?
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NO dammit… Mike told me to after I commented and it just slipped away… man the mother in law came down and my world is upside down lol.
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It’s a good song that I remember well, but I never saw that movie. Phoebe Cates was a little hotty!
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The Cars may well be the band I never really explored yet feel I know based on the many singles they had, which were played on the radio.
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The best thing to do is look up their debut album and go at it. Their debut album is also jokingly called their greatest hits…Maybe one of the best debut albums ever.
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Based on just the song titles, I know at least half of the album.
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They did have a giant one in the 80s also but the debut remains my favorite.
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You had me at Phoebe Cates!! Ha!! This is such a great song and you are right, it is one of the best debut albums of all time. For me VH is the best.
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Thats a good idea John for a post….best debut albums ever…Hendrix and The Band had great ones also.
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Actually, might be a good idea for a Nigel Tufnel Top 10 on the LeBrain Train
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Yes it would
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Great tune. I actually pulled this LP from the shelf earlier… I picked it up a few years ago for £1. Bought a second copy for a £1 a few weeks later that I ended up passing onto a friend.
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It’s a great debut for sure.
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I believe I saw “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” but don’t remember this song. Hard to believe that Phoebe Cates, who was 19 when she starred in that film, is now 57. And Judge Reinhold is 63. Yikes!
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Oh geez Jeff…did you have to say that? lol… Phoebe is only 3 years older than I am.
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