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Ric Ocasek

Lyrics & Prose Hardcover – November 1, 2012

by Ric Ocasek (Author)

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Emerging from the New Wave music scene of the late ‘70s, The Cars catapulted to success with the very first single—“Just What I Needed”—off of their debut album. Led by Ric Ocasek, the lead vocalist (along with Benjamin Orr), rhythm guitarist, and songwriter, The Cars became one of the most successful bands of the ‘80s—and their songs are just as beloved by fans today.

Ocasek himself has had an illustrious career beyond The Cars, from writing and performing solo work, publishing poetry in Granta and elsewhere, and producing albums by musical artists like Weezer, Hole, Guided By Voices, and Jonathan Richman. In Lyrics & Prose, Ocasek collects his lyrics together for the first time—and included throughout are Ocasek’s early handwritten notes and set lists, doodles and all. His work spans from The Cars’ self titled debut album in 1978 to Move Like This, released in 2011, as well as Ocasek’s six solo albums.

This is not merely a songbook for fans of The Cars, however: Ocasek is a versatile and affecting poet as well as songwriter, and his original verses—interspersed with album artwork and more than twenty-five beautiful black and white photographs—round out this beguiling book.

Print length

336 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Blue Rider Press
Publication date

November 1, 2012
Dimensions

6 x 1.25 x 8.75 inches
ISBN-10

0399163700
ISBN-13

978-0399163708
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About the Author

Ric Ocasek is an American singer, songwriter, poet, and producer, best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the rock band, The Cars. He lives in New York City.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Blue Rider Press (November 1, 2012)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0399163700
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0399163708
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.25 x 8.75 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,568,846 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #24,969 in Poetry (Books)

Customer Reviews:
19 ratings

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5 star		72%
4 star		9%
3 star		6%
2 star		13%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

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Roxanne Boger

Ric Ocasek 💙

Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2020

Verified Purchase

I’ve enjoyed reading this right up. From an important singer/songwriter from my earlier years. Here’s to you, Ric. Missing you and your musical talent. Rest In Peace.

Helpful

Jerome

Its a must have for any the cars followers

Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2021

Verified Purchase

Its a lyrical composite of rics song library, and it's the only place to get it, this book

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richietpratt04

Beautiful book, clean and simple layout...

Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2017

Verified Purchase

I have 5 copies of this book. The Cars is my favorite band of all time, and I love this book because it has all the (Benjamin Orr era) album lyrics. Ric's poetry is so unique and incredibly inspiring. I got several copies of this book so I can take notes and mark in one of them. Maybe cut some pages out to make art from as well. Love Ric, very interesting man, and I love The Cars from here to eternity.

8 people found this helpful

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TotallyOnHolliday

Clearly, A Man Born Ahead of His Time

Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2012

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As a long-time fan of Ric's, I continue to marvel at his unique and gifted skill with anything he writes. Fans of The Cars would probably agree that his words are a special communication for those who hear the message, are astounded and changed by it, and feel that they have made a connection to something that is very rare and extremely important. The word "visionary" hardly describes Ric anymore.

I feel very honored to be among the first to own Ric's book, "Lyrics and Prose". What a masterpiece it is. Now, instead of having the lyrics of nearly every Cars song committed to memory, I also have them in print, along with splended writings that only the "stenographer for the masses" can create. I must thank Ric for allowing me to absorb some new great writings and for putting in print all the lyrics I've committed to memory over the years. The timing of the release of his book was excellent, as I'm having more than my share of "senior moments" lately and I don't want to forget anything he writes.

10 people found this helpful

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terryp

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2016

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Love it

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Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2018

Verified Purchase

Nice Book!

Helpful

Darren is me name.

Hoping for more personal content.

Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2013

Verified Purchase

I was hoping for more notes, excerpts, annotations and candid photos of Ric and The Cars. Although a must for any Cars fan... A more personal glimpse into this artist would have been a delight!

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

ALAN M CIESLA

greed

Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2019

This review isn't about the book itself, but about the greedy people who take advantage of a persons death just to capitalize on a product. Yeah I know, download the Kindle version. Still, people are pathetic.

3 people found this helpful

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Gondal

Don't waste your

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 12, 2015

Verified Purchase

Disappointing. Not much included other than the lyrics to the albums. Why it has prose in the title I don't know! A few unconnected lines gathered together (I guess rejected and unused lyrics) is the only other stuff in the book. Don't waste your money

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