Another great performance on the late late 70’s and early 80’s show “The Midnight Special, this time from The Cars!  “Just What I Needed” was released as their debut single from their self-titled debut album, The Cars, released in 1978 on Elektra Records. The song started as a demo, and became a successful single for The Cars, hitting the The Top 30 on the Billboard Charts, and continues to be one of the band’s most popular songs. Like many other tracks on The Cars, “Just What I Needed” originated as a demo tape recorded by the band in 1977, and was first heard in 1977 on Boston radio stations WCOZ and WBCN from the said demo tape, along with its future follow-up single “My Best Friend’s Girl”. According to the band, the opening riff of “Just What I Needed” was borrowed from “Yummy Yummy Yummy”, a song by the Ohio Express and also features a prominent keyboard riff performed by Greg Hawkes. Interestingly, the song was sung by the Cars’ bassist Benjamin Orr rather than usual lead vocalist, Ric Ocasek.

Here they are LIVE in 1978 on The Midnight Special singing their first hit, “Just What I Needed” are The Cars with Ric Ocasek on backing vocals (on this song,usually lead), guitar, Elliot Easton on guitars, backing vocals, Greg Hawkes on keyboards, guitars, saxophone, Benjamin Orr on bass guitar and lead vocals for this song, and David Robinson on drums.

You can follow 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees, The Cars on their Facebook page or visit their website for band information.