Four CDs and one LP crammed into a single box set — that’s how Rhino Records is honoring the 40th anniversary of The Cars’ biggest commercial triumph. The Heartbeat City deluxe edition arrives October 31, 2025, representing the kind of archival excavation that makes streaming feel like skimming the surface.
This comprehensive reissue demonstrates how catalog mining can respect both music and collectors seeking a complete understanding.
This isn’t just another remaster cash grab. The collection spans the full creative arc, from polished album tracks to rough studio sketches that never saw daylight. Disc two delivers previously unreleased demos, including:
- “Stranger Eyes”
- An early version of “It’s Not the Night”
- The intriguingly titled “Jacki” — an early stab at what became “Heartbeat City”
You get to hear the band’s creative process in real time, watching songs evolve from concepts to radio staples.
Early mixes on the third disc reveal production choices before Robert John “Mutt” Lange applied his final polish. For anyone who’s wondered how “Drive” sounded before its melancholic sheen was perfected, this delivers those answers. Meanwhile, disc four presents the complete September 11, 1984, Houston concert, making its CD debut after decades of VHS and LaserDisc obscurity.
Heartbeat City captured The Cars at their commercial peak — No. 3 on the charts, quadruple platinum sales, and MTV videos that helped define the visual language of 1980s pop rock. The album bridged their New Wave origins with mainstream appeal, creating a template that influenced everything from synth-pop to alternative rock. In an era where TikTok clips drive music discovery, this collection argues for the value of complete artistic statements and historical context.
The package includes new liner notes from keyboardist Greg Hawkes and drummer David Robinson, adding insider perspective to the archival material. For serious collectors, the 4-CD/1-LP format hits the sweet spot between comprehensive and manageable. Casual fans might find the scope overwhelming, but anyone curious about how classic albums actually get made will discover plenty to explore. This represents catalog mining done right — respecting both the music and the people who want to understand it completely.
