Hello Again

Album: Heartbeat City (1984)
Charted: 20
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Although it's a light, synthesizer-driven pop track, the lyrics to this song are quite profound, examining a person who never seems happy. Despite his efforts to find something better, he always returns to where he came from. Cars frontman Ric Ocasek wrote the song.
  • The fourth hit from The Cars Heartbeat City album, "Hello Again" came with a video directed by Don Monroe and Andy Warhol, who also appeared in the clip as a bartender. It was some of Warhol's last work, as he died in 1987.

    The video starts with a fake TV show called "Rock Talk" where a host is discussing "gratuitous sex and violence in music videos" with a group of kids. As they get into the discussion, a car crashes through the set and the song starts. What comes next is a strangely PG sendup of videos with sexual imagery, with appearances by Gina Gershon. Warhol did make an uncensored version of the video, but MTV played the clean one.

Comments: 5

  • Mondo Sinistro from Chapel Hill NcAs it says at the top, this could be about a habit of futile thrill-seeking. But it also sounds like it could be about someone's relationship with a flight attendant.
  • Amay from Edison, NjSounds like Def Leppard in the begining. Awesome song.
  • Chris from Charleston, ScThis was used as the background music for a Nick at Nite's commerical to introduce their "Revenge of the 80's" sitcom marathon that they had going on in 2001-2002.
  • Howard from St. Louis Park, MnThis song was very popular with high school dancelines.
  • Dee from Indianapolis, InGreat tune. I never felt it got the recognition it deserved though.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.