Since You're Gone - the Cars

The Cars brought new wave sensibility to mainstream American rock in the late 70s/early 80s. Their songs were simple, most following a standard pop formula, yet sophisticated, with an almost fragile fusion of synthesizer and guitar sounds, with understated rhythm tracks. The world Ric Ocasek and his bandmates portrayed in their songs was a hip, cynical, fast, plastic, suburban world, and, desolate as many of the songs made it seem, I wanted to live there.

"Since You're Gone" from Shake it Up (1981) perfectly exemplifies the Cars elegant songwriting. The video isn't much to look at, but the song takes a few uncomplicated parts, and weaves a complex, compelling pop song.