About the song
“Magic,” a vibrant anthem from the Cars’ iconic fifth studio album, *Heartbeat City* (1984), epitomizes the band’s prowess in blending rock with new wave sensibilities. Released on May 7, 1984, as the album’s second single, “Magic” swiftly ascended to number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and claimed the top spot on the Billboard Top Tracks chart. Penned by the band’s visionary songwriter Ric Ocasek and masterfully produced by Robert John “Mutt” Lange alongside the Cars themselves, the track showcases Ocasek’s distinctive lead vocals amidst a backdrop of synth-driven melodies and guitar riffs that define the band’s signature sound.
The song’s accompanying music video, a visual extravaganza, unfolds at a surreal pool party hosted amidst the opulent backdrop of the Hilton family estate in Beverly Hills. Directed by auteur Tim Pope, the video features Ocasek defying gravity by nonchalantly strolling atop the water’s surface, much to the astonishment of the party’s eccentric guests. As the narrative unfolds, the guests, swept up in the illusion of “magic,” attempt to emulate Ocasek’s feat with disastrous, yet comedic, results as they tumble into the pool below. Throughout the video, the underlying message of the song—that some things defy explanation and are simply “magic”—is cleverly reinforced.
Filming posed its own challenges, notably with a plexiglass platform submerged beneath the water’s surface to facilitate Ocasek’s seemingly miraculous walk. The platform initially faltered during filming, requiring adjustments to ensure Ocasek’s safety and the video’s visual integrity.
Musically, “Magic” resonates with the quintessential lineup of the Cars: Ric Ocasek on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Ben Orr on bass guitar and backing vocals, Elliot Easton on lead guitar and backing vocals, Greg Hawkes on keyboards and backing vocals, and David Robinson on drums and Fairlight programming. This lineup, augmented by additional Fairlight CMI programming from Andy Topeka, underscores the band’s adeptness in blending electronic elements with their rock foundation, a hallmark of their evolving sound throughout the 1980s.
“Magic” remains not only a standout track in the Cars’ extensive catalog but also a testament to their enduring influence on the intersection of rock and new wave music. Its infectious melody, coupled with its imaginative music video, continues to captivate audiences, reaffirming the band’s ability to craft timeless hits that transcend generations.
Video
Lyrics
Summer, it turns me upside down
Summer, summer, summer
It’s like a merry-go-round
I see you under the midnight
All shackles and bows
The high shoes with the cleats a-clickin’
A temperamental glow
Oh, don’t you let me go
Oh, got a hold on you
I’ve got a hold on you
I’ve got a hold on you tonight
Oh, I got a hold on you
I got a hold on you (I got a hold on you)
That’s right
When I’m with you
(Oh, it’s magic)
(Uh oh, it’s magic)
Just a little magic
You know it’s true
I got a hold on you
Oh, twisted
Under, sideways, down
I know you’re getting twisted
And you can’t calm down
I see you under the midnight
Love darts in your eyes
How far can you take it?
‘Til you realize
There’s magic in your eyes
I got a hold on you
Got a hold on you
I got a hold on you tonight
I got a hold on you
Got a hold on you
(I got a hold on you)
Yeah, oh, yeah, oh
Uh oh, when I’m with you
(Oh, it’s magic)
(Uh oh, it’s magic)
Just a little bit of magic
Pulls me through
I’ve got a hold on you
I’ve got a hold on you
I got a hold on you
(I got a hold on you)
That’s right, it’s magic
Uh oh, it’s magic
When I’m with you
(Oh, it’s magic)
Uh oh
Just a little magic
Inside of you
Takes a little bit of magic
That’s true
When I’m with you
Your magic pulls me through
Oh, it’s magic
(Uh oh, it’s magic)