"I'm in Touch with Your World" is a song by the American

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...

band

the Cars The Cars were an American rock band formed in Boston in 1976. Emerging from the new wave scene in the late 1970s, they consisted of Ric Ocasek ( rhythm guitar), Benjamin Orr (bass guitar), Elliot Easton (lead guitar), Greg Hawkes (keyboards), ...

, from their debut album, ''

The Cars The Cars were an American rock band formed in Boston in 1976. Emerging from the new wave scene in the late 1970s, they consisted of Ric Ocasek ( rhythm guitar), Benjamin Orr (bass guitar), Elliot Easton (lead guitar), Greg Hawkes (keyboards), ...

''. It was written by

Ric Ocasek Richard Theodore Otcasek (March 23, 1944 – September 15, 2019), known as Ric Ocasek, was an American singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. He was the primary co-lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, songwriter, and frontman for the rock ...

Background

"I'm in Touch with Your World" features many bizarre sound effects played by

Greg Hawkes Gregory A. Hawkes (born October 22, 1952) is an American musician best known as the keyboardist for the rock band The Cars. Hawkes, a native of Fulton, Maryland, United States, attended Atholton High School where he played in a band called Teeth ...

. Hawkes said, "That was always one of my favorite ones to play live." He continued, "Plus, I figured it'd be fun for people to watch visually." The line "everything is science fiction" was the result of Hawkes mishearing Ocasek's original lyric, "everything you say is fiction"; hence the spacey sound effect after the line. Ocasek changed it to accommodate this. (Liner notes for The Cars Deluxe Edition, Rhino, 1999) Aside from being released on ''The Cars'', the song appeared as the B-side to the band's debut single, "

Just What I Needed "Just What I Needed" is a song by American Rock music, rock band The Cars from their The Cars (album), self-titled debut album (1978). The song, which first achieved radio success as a demo, took inspiration from the Ohio Express and the Velvet ...

Reception

"I'm in Touch with Your World" has received mixed reviews from critics. ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first kno ...

'' critic Kit Rachlis said "'I'm in Touch with Your World' and '

Moving in Stereo "Moving in Stereo" is a song by the American rock band the Cars. It appeared on their first album, ''The Cars'', released in 1978. It was co-written by Ric Ocasek and the band's keyboard player Greg Hawkes, and sung by bassist Benjamin Orr. Recep ...

' are the kind of songs that certify psychedelia's bad name." On ''Billboards 1978 review of ''The Cars'', they noted "I'm in Touch with Your World" as one of the " st cuts" on the album, while Jaime Welton, author of ''

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die ''1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die'' is a musical reference book first published in 2005 by Universe Publishing. Part of the ''1001 Before You Die'' series, it compiles writings and information on albums chosen by a panel of music critics ...

'', said that the song "employs a variety of sound effects that would be at home in a

Looney Tunes ''Looney Tunes'' is an American Animated cartoon, animated comedy short film series produced by Warner Bros. starting from 1930 to 1969, concurrently with its partner series ''Merrie Melodies'', during the golden age of American animation.

cartoon

Pitchfork Media ''Pitchfork'' (formerly ''Pitchfork Media'') is an American online music publication (currently owned by Condé Nast) that was launched in 1995 by writer Ryan Schreiber as an independent music blog. Schreiber started Pitchfork while working ...

writer Ryan Schreiber said, "Songs like 'I'm in Touch with Your World' and '

Don't Cha Stop "Don't Cha Stop" is a song by the American rock band the Cars. The song appears on their 1978 debut album ''The Cars''. Reception ''Rolling Stone'' critic Kit Rachlis Kit Rachlis is an American journalist and editor who has held posts at ''The ...

' are, to say the least, not some of the best songs rock music has produced."

Personnel

– lead vocals, rhythm guitar *

Elliot Easton Elliot Easton (born Elliot Steinberg, December 18, 1953) is an American guitarist. He played lead guitar and sang backing vocals for The Cars, and his guitar solos are an integral part of the band's music. Easton has also recorded music as a so ...

– lead guitar, backing vocals *

Benjamin Orr Benjamin Orzechowski (September 8, 1947 – October 3, 2000), known professionally as Benjamin Orr, was an American musician best known as the bassist, co-lead vocalist, and co-founder of the rock band The Cars. He sang lead vocals on sever ...

– backing vocals, bass guitar *

David Robinson David Maurice Robinson (born August 6, 1965) is an American former professional basketball player who played for the San Antonio Spurs in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1989 to 2003, and minority owner of the Spurs. Nicknamed ...

– drums, percussion, backing vocals *

– keyboards, percussion, backing vocals

References

{{authority control 1978 songs The Cars songs Songs written by Ric Ocasek Song recordings produced by Roy Thomas Baker