Touch and Go
The Cars, 1980, from Panorama. Solo by Elliot Easton.
Easton's fluid, melodic solo contrasts with the song's odd, stop-start rhythm.
Touch and Go sets up a lopsided, stop-start groove, with the verses feeling slightly out of step with the beat. Elliot Easton's solo is the release valve: smooth, fluid and melodic, it glides over the rhythm with a clean, singing tone and neatly shaped phrases. He was one of new wave's most tasteful lead players, drawing on rockabilly and country as much as rock, and this is a fine showcase of his economy. The contrast between the jerky backing and the flowing lead is the whole point. Listen for how Easton builds his lines like a vocal melody, with clear beginnings and endings, and how the solo seems to straighten the song out for a moment before the odd rhythm returns.
Touch and Go by The Cars is featured in our New Wave (#20) list. The solo is played by Elliot Easton and the song was released in 1980.
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Who played the guitar solo on Touch and Go?
Elliot Easton played the solo on The Cars's Touch and Go (1980).