Emotion In Motion

Album: This Side Of Paradise (1986)
Charted: 15
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about a girl who means everything to the singer. It could have been inspired by the model Paulina Porizkova, whom Ocasek met in 1984 and married in 1989.
  • This song was made into a video which depicts an enchanting fairy tale that begins with going on a quest to find an antidote for his lady love who has taken a bite from a poison apple. He makes his way through the forest to a hidden cave behind a waterfall, where he must win a sword fight, in order to recover the "magical potion" needed to bring her back to life so they can live happily ever after. The video plays like an epic film, yet is only 4 minutes long. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Ihor - Montreal, Canada
  • Ocasek was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer of The Cars. "Emotion In Motion," which he released on his second solo album, This Side Of Paradise, is his biggest hit outside of the band. At this time (1986) The Cars were slowly breaking up; they disbanded in early 1988. With this album, Ocasek was establishing himself as a solo artist; the song is similar in music and theme to The Cars 1984 hit album Heartbeat City.

Comments: 5

  • David from St. Louis, MoHi Mark. Who was the model in the video? There seems to be no information online, anywhere. Thanks.
  • Lisa from Topeka, KsThis song and video are from 1986, before Ric met Paulina. The model looks a lot like the girl who inspired the song.
  • Mark from Ventura County, CaliforniaJust to get things straight, Ric, played Guitar, on this album but Steve Stevens also played rhythm guitar. What most dont know , is that Steve Stevens actually played rhythm guitar on " Emotion in Motion", despite what was listed as credits, and also Benjamin Orr, was on background vocals, but was edited just before the song was released with added on background vocals, that was none credited! How do i know this? I was there!
  • Eliseu from Canoas, BrazilThis song features Roland Orzabal on guitar.
  • Steve from Trumbull, CtOcasek was not the bass player in The Cars - he was rhythm guitar. Ben Orr was the bass player and both shared lead vocals.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Chris Tomlin

Chris TomlinSongwriter Interviews

The king of Christian worship music explains talks about writing songs for troubled times.

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Phone Booth Songs

Phone Booth SongsSong Writing

Phone booths are nearly extinct, but they provided storylines for some of the most profound songs of the pre-cell phone era.

Ramones

RamonesFact or Fiction

A band so baffling, even their names were contrived. Check your score in the Ramones version of Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?

Bryan Adams

Bryan AdamsSongwriter Interviews

What's the deal with "Summer of '69"? Bryan explains what the song is really about, and shares more of his songwriting insights.