Hello Again

"Hello Again" is a song by American rock band the Cars from their fifth studio album, Heartbeat City (1984). It was released on October 15, 1984, as the album's fourth single. The song was the fourth top-20 entry from the album, reaching number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart; it also reached number eight on the Hot Dance/Disco chart and number 22 on the Top Rock Tracks chart. Ric Ocasek sings lead vocals on the track. Critical reception Billboard said that "Hello Again" goes "back to the staccato synth beat and wry mannered style that typified the group's singles before 'Drive' changed all that." "Hello Again" was retrospectively described as "eccentric" by AllMusic critic Greg Prato, who also cited the track as a highlight from the Heartbeat City album. Donald Guarisco, also of AllMusic, wrote, "One of their strongest tracks [on Heartbeat City with experimental roots] was 'Hello Again,' a stylish new wave rocker with plenty of experimental touches." Guarisco added that it "represents the Cars striking a unique balance between their gift for pop hooks and their love of experimental sounds." In his review of the compilation album Greatest Hits (1985), Prato felt that "Hello Again" should have been included on the album, stating, "why was the title track from Heartbeat City (an unsuccessful single) included instead of the 1984 Top 20 hit 'Hello Again'?"