Magic by The Cars was released on May 7, 1984, with I Refuse as the B side. It was a single from the band’s fifth studio album, Heartbeat City.

The song, which Ric Ocasek wrote and sang lead vocals on, reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Top Rock Tracks chart. In Canada, it peaked at No. 14.

Kathy Hilton (mom of Paris and Nicky) rented The Cars the Hilton family house in Beverly Hills to shoot the music video for Magic.