The Cars — Just What I Needed
Album: The CarsAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 2392
Length: 3:40
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I don't mind you comin' here
And wastin' all my time
'Cause when you're standin' oh-so near
I kinda lose my mind
It's not the perfume that you wear
It's not the ribbons in your hair
And I don't mind you comin' here
And wastin' all my time
I don't mind you hangin' out
And talkin' in your sleep
It doesn't matter where you've been
As long as it was deep, yeah
You always knew to wear it well and
You look so fancy, I can tell
And I don't mind you hangin' out
And talkin' in your sleep
I guess you're just what I needed (Just what I needed)
I needed someone to feed
I guess you're just what I needed (Just what I needed)
I needed someone to bleed
I don't mind you comin' here
And wastin' all my time, time
'Cause when you're standin' oh-so near
I kinda lose my mind, yeah
It's not the perfume that you wear
It's not the ribbons in your hair
And I don't mind you comin' here
And wastin' all my time
I guess you're just what I needed (Just what I needed)
I needed someone to feed
I guess you're just what I needed (Just what I needed)
I needed someone to bleed
I guess you're just what I needed (Just what I needed)
I needed someone to feed
I guess you're just what I needed (Just what I needed)
I needed someone to bleed
Yeah, yeah, so bleed me
(You're just what I needed)
(You're just what I needed)
Yeah
(You're just what I needed)
Yeah, yeah yeah
And wastin' all my time
'Cause when you're standin' oh-so near
I kinda lose my mind
It's not the perfume that you wear
It's not the ribbons in your hair
And I don't mind you comin' here
And wastin' all my time
I don't mind you hangin' out
And talkin' in your sleep
It doesn't matter where you've been
As long as it was deep, yeah
You always knew to wear it well and
You look so fancy, I can tell
And I don't mind you hangin' out
And talkin' in your sleep
I guess you're just what I needed (Just what I needed)
I needed someone to feed
I guess you're just what I needed (Just what I needed)
I needed someone to bleed
I don't mind you comin' here
And wastin' all my time, time
'Cause when you're standin' oh-so near
I kinda lose my mind, yeah
It's not the perfume that you wear
It's not the ribbons in your hair
And I don't mind you comin' here
And wastin' all my time
I guess you're just what I needed (Just what I needed)
I needed someone to feed
I guess you're just what I needed (Just what I needed)
I needed someone to bleed
I guess you're just what I needed (Just what I needed)
I needed someone to feed
I guess you're just what I needed (Just what I needed)
I needed someone to bleed
Yeah, yeah, so bleed me
(You're just what I needed)
(You're just what I needed)
Yeah
(You're just what I needed)
Yeah, yeah yeah
Comments (180)add comment
Most of their hit singles got old decades ago.
Repetetive stress at best.
Damn I love the Cars.
An 80s high school classic.
What an incredible kick this was -- and still is! Those crunchy, gnashing guitars! The killer alternating of Ben's broody crooning and Ric's wild, quirky outbursts on vocals! The wicked electronic keyboard wizardry! The fun, danceable drumbeats! The Cars supplied the main Soundtrack of teenage celebration and rebellion!
Played the album to death. Great from rim to center. So many hits! RIP Ben and Ric.
Great album cover! Looks a little like Rachael McAdams 😀
What an album my friends.
neotrogg wrote:
nooo,it's a fun loving uplifting song,which normally I stay away from
Just what I needed
nooo,it's a fun loving uplifting song,which normally I stay away from
Just what I needed
It's the Circuit City song.
Just played this earlier today from the new vinyl remaster. Very nice. Still stands up very well.
Larrygrrl wrote:
and Mr. Orr
RIP Mr. Ocasek.
and Mr. Orr
Oh, I spent hours upon hours gazing at that album cover - imagining my future - while listening to the album
Funkybro wrote:
If not the greatest.........let the flaming haters hate. Saw them in SF on this tour in a small club, they came out in a completely dark room, each with a spot light, running around stage........the Cars had arrived and for this greenhorn who got in with a fake ID - that evening is etched in my memory.
lucky you!
If not the greatest.........let the flaming haters hate. Saw them in SF on this tour in a small club, they came out in a completely dark room, each with a spot light, running around stage........the Cars had arrived and for this greenhorn who got in with a fake ID - that evening is etched in my memory.
lucky you!
Somehow magically managed to combine a more European/British New Wave and an American Rock sound.
The battle will forever rage on, as to which side of the Atlantic "Started" certain music trends - if we want to be honest, the USA did.
It's where rock 'n roll came from.
However, the Cars just managed to really combine that trans-atlantic sound to perfection.
The battle will forever rage on, as to which side of the Atlantic "Started" certain music trends - if we want to be honest, the USA did.
It's where rock 'n roll came from.
However, the Cars just managed to really combine that trans-atlantic sound to perfection.
Such a breath of fresh air when they arrived in '78. Just what I needed indeed!
Props to fellow Berklee alumnus Elliot.
Props to fellow Berklee alumnus Elliot.
Memories of the 70’s Ah.
The masters of the synth/guitar blend. IMHO.
asusinskas wrote:
nooo,it's a fun loving uplifting song,which normally I stay away from
Blech. Should have stayed retired.
nooo,it's a fun loving uplifting song,which normally I stay away from
spiritfla wrote:
If not the greatest.........let the flaming haters hate. Saw them in SF on this tour in a small club, they came out in a completely dark room, each with a spot light, running around stage........the Cars had arrived and for this greenhorn who got in with a fake ID - that evening is etched in my memory.
One of the greatest debut albums ever - 
If not the greatest.........let the flaming haters hate. Saw them in SF on this tour in a small club, they came out in a completely dark room, each with a spot light, running around stage........the Cars had arrived and for this greenhorn who got in with a fake ID - that evening is etched in my memory.
nostalgie
What a wonderful casserole of punk power chords; glam rock fuzz/tone; new age synths; and pop lyrics
I was waiting for a Cars tune all day; I even checked which ones were on the list of possibilities.
I saw Elton John in San Francisco last night, and he mentioned Ric Ocasek's passing. Sad news.
I was wondering if RP would honor Ric today; thanks!
Remember seeing them at the Rat in Boston's Kenmore Square when they were just hitting the airwaves. So much talent.
RIP Mr. Ocasek
Loved this band, back in the day. New Wave at it's best. Rock on Ric !
RIP RIC. You brought me, my friends and family lots of joy over the years! A legend!
bummer about Ric passing this weekend. one of my desert island records
RIP Mr. Ocasek.
Anyone else notice the similarities between "I'm Not it Love" by 10 CC
and "Drive" by The Cars?
Both great tunes; which is better?
Maybe RP could play them back to back.
and "Drive" by The Cars?
Both great tunes; which is better?
Maybe RP could play them back to back.
Skydog wrote:
The signature squeaky toy synth that was installed as a preset after this? I'd argue that it was so unique that it became something that no one could do again without people going "Oh - the Cars tone!"
And how about that great part where the drums go from the three to the one and then back? Simple and bril.
This would be a lot better without that annoying and whiney syth sound thing
The signature squeaky toy synth that was installed as a preset after this? I'd argue that it was so unique that it became something that no one could do again without people going "Oh - the Cars tone!"
And how about that great part where the drums go from the three to the one and then back? Simple and bril.
ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA to play this song; a New Wave classic from the moment it was born! Trip: Rick said that he and Ben had created and had been working on perfecting all the songs that became their first album over years and years, from when they met in Cleveland and moved to Boston and met the others; that may explain why each and every song felt instantly familiar and immortal. Will such a JAM band ever appear again?
One of the greatest debut albums ever -
R.I.P. Ben. You would have been my go-to guy if I was casting a Christopher Walken biopic.
ppopp wrote:
Like the song. Alas! Heard it ( and still hear it) too many times on the radio. OH! I got Beethoven's 5th on PSD.
RP does a wonderful job of playing songs which are not heard a million times on other radio stations. This track is an exception, but it doesn't happen too often, so I shall refrain from smashing the PSD button with a Pink Floyd hammer, or a hippopotamus.
Like the song. Alas! Heard it ( and still hear it) too many times on the radio. OH! I got Beethoven's 5th on PSD.
it certainly was hot in its day ! FatPants wrote:
I would argue this is the greatest debut album of all time.
RP does a wonderful job of playing songs which are not heard a million times on other radio stations. This track is an exception, but it doesn't happen too often, so I shall refrain from smashing the PSD button with a Pink Floyd hammer, or a hippopotamus.
Amazing how I still perk up with this song, even so many years later - clearly the sign of a classic!
I would argue this is the greatest debut album of all time.
Piranga wrote:
Not sure why you would say that. The were not underappreciated at all! They were huge in the 80's and were very much appreciated.
Great song. Great band. Under appreciated.
Not sure why you would say that. The were not underappreciated at all! They were huge in the 80's and were very much appreciated.
Great song. Great band. Under appreciated.
izycrzy wrote:
8-track or cassette?
I got this tape for just 1 cent - but had to buy eight more tapes at regular club prices.
8-track or cassette?
This song has been worn out on classic rock radio. If i could still stand those stations, I'd change the station as soon as it came on.
still a fantastic song. Easily an 8.
still a fantastic song. Easily an 8.
Yes!!! Now we are talking!
still got it!
coloradojohn wrote:
I can never forget how, the first time I heard this, at age 16, while doing my best to keep the ball in play on the old Sinbad pinball table at the local arcade and pool-hall, right next to the Japanese restaurant where I had my first job, it sounded at once new and familiar... Steve Miller's Fly Like an Eagle had just faded out, and then the super-cool syncopation of razor-like percussion and wild, laser-like gnashing guitars of this came blasting on the sound-system tuned into local radio that was wired into the place... We were all at once transfixed, and everyone held their breath — was it some new electrified techno rockabilly? Was it in fact an old obscure song we were being turned onto by the hip radio deejay? Everyone in the place looked around and perked up their ears, and when Ocasek and Orr belted out their twisted angst and quirky vocals, we could dig it, and were rocked to our cores, convinced we'd witnessed The Newest Thing...and indeed, it was. Soon, we all had The Cars jamming night and day, and the world seemed transformed into a fun new ride.
Love your comments John, they articulate my thoughts. It's funny to remember this album was the first of the mainstream "new wave" albums to come out. It was a change from what we call "classic rock" now.
I can remember WBCN playing an earlier version of this over and over in 1977 or 78 since the Cars from from Boston, and they were promoting local bands. When the album version came out it sounded the same but different. Now I can't for the life of me remember what the pre-album version sounded like.
It's also ironic (someone probably pointed this out below) that the Car's first hit didn't have Ric Ocasic singing.
I can remember WBCN playing an earlier version of this over and over in 1977 or 78 since the Cars from from Boston, and they were promoting local bands. When the album version came out it sounded the same but different. Now I can't for the life of me remember what the pre-album version sounded like.
It's also ironic (someone probably pointed this out below) that the Car's first hit didn't have Ric Ocasic singing.
I got this tape for just 1 cent - but had to buy eight more tapes at regular club prices.
I can never forget how, the first time I heard this, at age 16, while doing my best to keep the ball in play on the old Sinbad pinball table at the local arcade and pool-hall, right next to the Japanese restaurant where I had my first job, it sounded at once new and familiar... Steve Miller's Fly Like an Eagle had just faded out, and then the super-cool syncopation of razor-like percussion and wild, laser-like gnashing guitars of this came blasting on the sound-system tuned into local radio that was wired into the place... We were all at once transfixed, and everyone held their breath — was it some new electrified techno rockabilly? Was it in fact an old obscure song we were being turned onto by the hip radio deejay? Everyone in the place looked around and perked up their ears, and when Ocasek and Orr belted out their twisted angst and quirky vocals, we could dig it, and were rocked to our cores, convinced we'd witnessed The Newest Thing...and indeed, it was. Soon, we all had The Cars jamming night and day, and the world seemed transformed into a fun new ride.
Always loved how they left a little space in the chorus for a third "just what I needed", for everyone singing along.
This would be a lot better without that annoying and whiney syth sound thing
Thanks, Bill. That was just what I needed.
One of the most underated bands of all time!
sirdroseph wrote:
Totally Agree!
Great song, great album! The Cars first 2 albums were landmark!
Totally Agree!
I love how everything on their first albums was the perfect soundtrack to anything, whether it was beer & Frisbee or cruisin' high as kites...
Blech. Should have stayed retired.
check out the 2013 Cars album, same sound new era
this whole album was great.....reminds me of my youth, growing up in roslindale ("Rozzie" to the natives), listening to this, j geils, boston, aerosmith.........unfortunately they turned out to be a (grossly over-played) one-trick pony
yeah 
Man, this brings back memories of skateboarding my friends back yard pool in 8th grade. Big droughts in Southern CA, and that summer it was drained... lots of fun.
theforgiventeen wrote:
You've rated almost every song a Ten. Seriously?
Apparently they are listening to the right station then!
You've rated almost every song a Ten. Seriously?
Apparently they are listening to the right station then!
membeth wrote:
Yeah, and a lot of the RP crowd doesn't listen to commercial radio. Like at all, ever. I'm in that camp. I don't know or care what Clear Channel plays and I think their playlist should have no influence on RP. Good music is good music.
Yes, now, but all throughout the 80s and 90s? Now that is a different story.
Yeah, and a lot of the RP crowd doesn't listen to commercial radio. Like at all, ever. I'm in that camp. I don't know or care what Clear Channel plays and I think their playlist should have no influence on RP. Good music is good music.
Yes, now, but all throughout the 80s and 90s? Now that is a different story.
Long ago, this was good. It has not aged well.
Good song, but I still think of the (now defunct) Circuit City when I hear this...shame.
Great song, great album! The Cars first 2 albums were landmark!
Zweiblumen wrote:
This is stupid. Why should a good song be excluded from RP just because Clear Channel plays it? Why should I be excluded from hearing a good song that happens to be on commercial radio just because I don't listen to it? I come here for good music, not to hear exclusively things that I cannot hear elsewhere.
Yeah, and a lot of the RP crowd doesn't listen to commercial radio. Like at all, ever. I'm in that camp. I don't know or care what Clear Channel plays and I think their playlist should have no influence on RP. Good music is good music.
This is stupid. Why should a good song be excluded from RP just because Clear Channel plays it? Why should I be excluded from hearing a good song that happens to be on commercial radio just because I don't listen to it? I come here for good music, not to hear exclusively things that I cannot hear elsewhere.
Yeah, and a lot of the RP crowd doesn't listen to commercial radio. Like at all, ever. I'm in that camp. I don't know or care what Clear Channel plays and I think their playlist should have no influence on RP. Good music is good music.
conglif wrote:
They have two- she's also smart and liberal- https://www.huffingtonpost.com/paulina-porizkova/fame-according-to-me_b_599565.html
They have two- she's also smart and liberal- https://www.huffingtonpost.com/paulina-porizkova/fame-according-to-me_b_599565.html
So good ! Reminds me of my student years...
Nice!
romeotuma wrote:
This song is soooo good for the ears...
You've rated almost every song a Ten. Seriously?
This song is soooo good for the ears...
You've rated almost every song a Ten. Seriously?
9 years ago this month we lost Ben.
Feckin Cancer.
I always prefered Ben's tunes, but enjoy most of the Cars' stuff.
Feckin Cancer.
I always prefered Ben's tunes, but enjoy most of the Cars' stuff.
Zweiblumen wrote:
This is stupid. Why should a good song be excluded from RP just because Clear Channel plays it? Why should I be excluded from hearing a good song that happens to be on commercial radio just because I don't listen to it? I come here for good music, not to hear exclusively things that I cannot hear elsewhere.
Agree 100% with Zweiblumen...
This is stupid. Why should a good song be excluded from RP just because Clear Channel plays it? Why should I be excluded from hearing a good song that happens to be on commercial radio just because I don't listen to it? I come here for good music, not to hear exclusively things that I cannot hear elsewhere.
Agree 100% with Zweiblumen...
redstorm wrote:
Wow, she is gorgeous. Not bad at all. Do they have a daughter?
1978. The Bottom Line, NYC. their first tour. the place held max 350-400 people, the cars ROCKED it! 
they were never gonna be a great group...but they were great fun while they lasted. plus i think most people are just jealous that ric okasek, gets to sleep with paulina porizkova, not bad for a kid from baltimore!
they were never gonna be a great group...but they were great fun while they lasted. plus i think most people are just jealous that ric okasek, gets to sleep with paulina porizkova, not bad for a kid from baltimore!Wow, she is gorgeous. Not bad at all. Do they have a daughter?
They were so cool !!!
Cab Calloway to the Cars...tee hee...
At a time when it seemed we'd never see the end of disco ... we got The Cars! Whew!!!
One of the few gems from that era. 1978. The Bottom Line, NYC. their first tour. the place held max 350-400 people, the cars ROCKED it! they were never gonna be a great group...but they were great fun while they lasted. plus i think most people are just jealous that ric okasek, gets to sleep with paulina porizkova, not bad for a kid from baltimore!
they were never gonna be a great group...but they were great fun while they lasted. plus i think most people are just jealous that ric okasek, gets to sleep with paulina porizkova, not bad for a kid from baltimore! meloman wrote:
What he said. . .
Hard to believe all the negative comments. I suppose that's an artifact of overexposure on commercial radio. In the late 70s and early '80s The Cars were one of the most idiosyncratic bands in America. They brought together elements of punk and mainstream rock, and added great lyrics by Ric Ocasek. Go ahead and dump on them for being successful, but it doesn't change the fact that they made some very good music in their time. IMO, their first album, "The Cars" is a classic.
What he said. . .
aquadonia wrote:
Reminds me of living in Edmonton. TRAFFIC CIRCLE HEAVEN!!!
Love how the green car goes in a complete circle. 
Reminds me of living in Edmonton. TRAFFIC CIRCLE HEAVEN!!!
aquadonia wrote:
Aw, he's just making a U-turn!
Love how the green car goes in a complete circle.
Aw, he's just making a U-turn!
Nabla wrote:
Love how the green car goes in a complete circle.
WRIF Detroit, 1979 or so. The Morning Crew did this as Popeye. Talking about the seaweed in your hair. Still cannot get that out of my head!!
lathyris wrote:
Outdated traffic circle. Hardly the modern roundabout that I'm sure The Cars would have supported ;-)
Where's the drunk who keeps circling on the outside of the rim with the wrong turn signal going?
Outdated traffic circle. Hardly the modern roundabout that I'm sure The Cars would have supported ;-)
Where's the drunk who keeps circling on the outside of the rim with the wrong turn signal going?
Nabla wrote:
Outdated traffic circle. Hardly the modern roundabout that I'm sure The Cars would have supported ;-)
Outdated traffic circle. Hardly the modern roundabout that I'm sure The Cars would have supported ;-)
redtex wrote:
This is stupid. Why should a good song be excluded from RP just because Clear Channel plays it? Why should I be excluded from hearing a good song that happens to be on commercial radio just because I don't listen to it? I come here for good music, not to hear exclusively things that I cannot hear elsewhere.
This is where I repeat the comment from others about the availability of this song on Clear Channel radio. But I do still think RP is vastly superior (aka:a gazillion times better) than most local radio.
This is stupid. Why should a good song be excluded from RP just because Clear Channel plays it? Why should I be excluded from hearing a good song that happens to be on commercial radio just because I don't listen to it? I come here for good music, not to hear exclusively things that I cannot hear elsewhere.
Marr wrote:
Busted!
Dude, even you ranked "Moving In Stereo" as a 7. Same album......
Busted!
This ROCKS!
Marr wrote:
And this is where I repeat that some of us never listen to clearchannelmuck anymore. I LIKE this song and do enjoy hearing it now and then. Just because the clearchannels of the world have overplayed it doesn't mean it isn't good anymore.
Me, too!
redtex wrote:
This is where I repeat the comment from others about the availability of this song on Clear Channel radio. But I do still think RP is vastly superior (aka:a gazillion times better) than most local radio.
And this is where I repeat that some of us never listen to clearchannelmuck anymore. I LIKE this song and do enjoy hearing it now and then. Just because the clearchannels of the world have overplayed it doesn't mean it isn't good anymore.
This is where I repeat the comment from others about the availability of this song on Clear Channel radio. But I do still think RP is vastly superior (aka:a gazillion times better) than most local radio.
Xeric wrote:
Too bad they never recorded any of it. . . .
Dude, even you ranked "Moving In Stereo" as a 7. Same album......
now that's more like it. It's got the beat, it's got the beat, it's got the beat....yeah. oops, that's another song?!
meloman wrote:
Hard to believe all the negative comments. I suppose that's an artifact of overexposure on commercial radio. In the late 70s and early '80s The Cars were one of the most idiosyncratic bands in America. They brought together elements of punk and mainstream rock, and added great lyrics by Ric Ocasek. Go ahead and dump on them for being successful, but it doesn't change the fact that they made some very good music in their time. IMO, their first album, "The Cars" is a classic.
Too bad they never recorded any of it. . . .
camden_hampden wrote:
From their perfect 1st album. I had a debate a bar a few months back about whether or not there existed a perfect rock album (no duds) and this is the closest we could get. Back when this kind of thing still mattered, this album had 3 Top 40 hits and 7 in the Top 100 -- on a 9 track album!
Nice! Probably wouldn't have come to that conclusion personally...but it's awesome to see the Cars ranked so highly by others :) One of my all time favourite bands!
Brilliant!
From their perfect 1st album. I had a debate a bar a few months back about whether or not there existed a perfect rock album (no duds) and this is the closest we could get. Back when this kind of thing still mattered, this album had 3 Top 40 hits and 7 in the Top 100 -- on a 9 track album!
1978 Summertime fun....man...sooo many years ago!! This is definitely a rock n roll staple! Thanks, Bill!
ahh, refreshing! Just what I needed on a Friday afternoon!
Love the group, always will--but this song has been overplayed to death. Please play alternate cuts from them like "Heartbeat City." No thanks to Circuit City *grr*
Ummm no, not then, not now, and not in the forseeable future.
What are the odds? YOU needed someone to feed and someone to bleed? Me too!
meloman wrote:
Hard to believe all the negative comments. I suppose that's an artifact of overexposure on commercial radio. In the late 70s and early '80s The Cars were one of the most idiosyncratic bands in America. They brought together elements of punk and mainstream rock, and added great lyrics by Ric Ocasek. Go ahead and dump on them for being successful, but it doesn't change the fact that they made some very good music in their time. IMO, their first album, "The Cars" is a classic.
totally agree
Circuit City reminded me of how much I love this song!
Too bad their stores suck.
I'm playing keys in a Cars cover band especially for Halloween! I might even buy a keytar for the occasion.
meloman wrote:
Hard to believe all the negative comments. I suppose that's an artifact of overexposure on commercial radio. In the late 70s and early '80s The Cars were one of the most idiosyncratic bands in America. They brought together elements of punk and mainstream rock, and added great lyrics by Ric Ocasek. Go ahead and dump on them for being successful, but it doesn't change the fact that they made some very good music in their time. IMO, their first album, "The Cars" is a classic.
Yeah! What Meloman said!
coloradojohn wrote:
Ric was on The Colbert Report (and did a thing where he and Stephen doled out a finger of disapproval at Todd Rundgren?!) a month or so ago and he was cool as ever...
GO CARS AND GO RP!
No one can dismiss Todd ''Runt'' Rundgren after the decades of innovations he has implemented in rock and roll as a masterful singer, songwriter, musician, engineer and producer.
Played at Holy Cross College in Worcester, MA 1976 as 'Le Cars'.
no way! i just went to bestbuy.com as this song came on ... funny.
I'll never EVER get sick of this song.Oh yes, there I am, at The Odyssey, a game center/ head shop next door to Emi's Teahouse, the Japanese restaurant I worked that high school year, and I'm standing there at the old Sinbad pinball machine, and Steve Miller Band's Fly Like An Eagle is fading out, and THIS COMES ON and sounds instantly retro, oddly familiar, and here to stay. And that summer turned out to be the best, and this tape was firmly wedged into the deck of my '70 Cutlass more often than not! THE CARS! Go, Bill!
Circuit City has ruined this song for me. 
Niiice.
The Moog doesn't really get used as much as it should anymore.
underarmor wrote:
Relax. It's an eclectic/diverse station. Not a rare tracks/hard to find songs station.
You're right. People shouldn't vote to ban the Cars because they're popular...how about just 'cause they suck, will that work?
Saw the Cars @ the BOTTOM LINE in NYC, in the Village. It was their first Nationwide tour following the release of their first album...the venue held 400 (barely) and we jammmmmmed!!!! thirty feet from the stage! sweeeeeet!!!! 
Most of their hit singles got old decades ago.
Repetetive stress at best.
Hmm , not really but thanks for trying. The exit door is to your right.