We were saddened to hear about Ric Ocasek’s passing over the weekend. The lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for the Boston-based band The Cars, produced an incredible catalog of music. The impact of his contributions have been felt by artists and fans alike, and it seems everyone has a story from their past with a Cars song as the soundtrack.

For this special edition of Mass Mix we asked our contributors to share their favorites. From "Dangerous Type" to "Just What I Needed," it can't be denied: Ocasek left behind an unforgettable musical legacy.

"Hello Again"

Christmas, 1984. I was seven-going-on-eight. My uncle Michael gave me a Sony Walkman (the fancy one with the cassette deck) and a copy of Heartbeat City by The Cars. This was my first real experience with having control over my music; up until the Walkman-era, I listened to whatever my parents put on the radio or the record player. To this day, the echoing fade-in of the opening track, "Hello Again," is synonymous with musical freedom. This was my tape, being pumped directly into my ears. I didn't know it at the time, but I know it now: Ric Ocasek was the first to set me free. - Adam XII, Midday Host, ROCK 92.9

"Dangerous Type"

As I’m giving another listen to my favorite Cars songs, the word “quirky” keeps popping into my head. The songs that Ric Ocasek wrote and the band recorded have quirky synthesizer lines... quirky rhythms... even a quirky delivery of the lead vocals. "Dangerous Type" is a showcase of the wonderful quirkiness of The Cars, but it also shows that it was an accessible quirkiness. The rhythms are kind of halting during the verses, but then the guitar chords during the chorus come right in on the one to restore some order. I love the guitar solos from Elliott Easton on this one, too. He gets a GREAT rock guitar sound, and the solos seem to come and go before they overstay their welcome. And there are some further quirky touches that happen toward the end of the song, when you hear what sound like a glockenspiel, and the vocoder kicks in playing the words “The dangerous type.” Love it. -George Knight, Morning Show Host, 88.9FM WERS

"Heartbeat City"

Looking forward and looking back was always the talent of The Cars. The tropes of the 80s—synths, heavy drum lines and absurdist lyrics— took on a new life for the band, creating songs that managed to defy labels and genre-boxing. "Heartbeat City" is the nexus of this vibe, with wistfully melancholic lyrics and synth themes that bring to mind an 80s dystopian landscape. Even as the band departed from their usual recording style and sound —adding in more electronic sound and a heavier production to both this song and its eponymous album—they created something that still speaks to their aesthetic, sensibility, and sound, while still becoming greater than what came before. Rarely is a song so evocative of a time and place that doesn’t truly exist – like a hero’s theme for a film that was never made. In occupying this strange space, The Cars found magic. -Andrea Wolanin, Digital Producer, WGBH

"I'm Not the One"

The Cars' Complete Greatest Hits was the first CD I ever bought—the one that I picked out of the rows and rows of albums at a (now defunct) Tower Records. This synth-filled rock was the single soundtrack to my life for a while, a shiny disc continuously spinning in my blue Walkman. "I'm Not the One" slows things way down; the catchy, repetitive hook (goin' round and round) mirrors the swirling synths that accompany them. Synthetic snaps punctuate the track while Greg Hawkes' bright, horn-like solo helps keep the song from becoming too muddy. - Knar Bedian, Editor in Chief, Sound of Boston

“Just What I Needed”

Thinking about The Cars’ music makes me wish for the time when this kind of music was considered ‘Top 40.’ No offense to the incredible artists working today, but there was something so honest, authentic and carefree about the sound on the radio in the 70s and 80s. “Just What I Needed” is no exception. And show me a song with a more memorable opening 15 seconds. -Meghan Smith, Digital Producer, WGBH

"Magic"

I love hearing stories of Ric Ocasek writing his songs on an acoustic guitar… because when I listen to songs like "Magic," I realize that it is some decidedly NON-acoustic sounds (including an epic synthesizer sweep at the begging of this one) that make songs from The Cars so cool. With "Magic," it’s the tasty combo of Greg Hawkes' quirky synthesizer riffs and spacey effects, mixed with standard issue rock guitar power chords, and thick layered vocals, that make this song a lot of fun to listen to. Yes, it’s the pop-y side of New Wave music, but pop isn’t a four letter word, and here it’s done masterfully. -George Knight, Morning Show Host, 88.9FM WERS

"You Might Think"

I was five years old when I first started watching MTV. The first video I saw was "You Might Think," by The Cars. The colorful story, combined with playful lyrics and upbeat guitar riffs, beguiled me. The music video went on to win the first-ever Video of the Year award at MTV's Video Music Awards. It even beat out Michael Jackson's "Thriller." At the time I had no idea I was witnessing a pivotal cultural moment... and I had no idea I was experiencing my own musical awakening. -Stacy Buchanan, Senior Producer, WGBH Music