In his gargantuan task of attempting to consume and playlist the classic rock cannon in its entirely – from AC/DC to ZZ Top – my 20-something son has created a discerning category for some of his discoveries: albums where, in his estimation, every single song is great. A small list, his special first entry was Boston (by Boston). I agreed and offered another: The Cars (by The Cars).
Released in 1978 when traditional ‘70s rock was morphing into ‘80s new wave, the debut effort by the Boston band (no relation to the other Boston band) delivered three hits: “Just What I Needed,” “My Best Friend’s Girl,”, and “Good Times Roll,” but it the was dreamy Side 2, which all seemed to blend (like “Abbey Road”), that really set the album apart.
Of the singles, “Just What I Needed” – sung by underrated co-vocalist Benjamin Orr – scored the highest chart rating, though it was Rik Ocasek who emerged as the face of the band, even, as Orr once told me during an interview, the plan had been for him to be the lead.
At any rate, Orr’s rock-star looks and Ocasek’s, um, odd counterpoint (and his terrific songwriting, of course), combined to propel the band into one of the era’s best. And at time when traditional rock was starting to run on fumes; mainstays like Queen, Rod Stewart, KISS, and even the Stones were dabbling in disco; and punk and other new wave weirdness (remember Devo?) vied for airspace, The Cars, thankfully, were still able to give us just we what we needed.
Lyrics
I don’t mind you coming here
And wasting all my time
Cause when you’re standing 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 coming here
And wasting all my time
I don’t mind you hanging out
And talking 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 hanging out
And talking 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
Yeah Yeah, So bleed me
You’re just what I needed
You’re just what I needed
You’re just what I needed
Yeah yea-Yeah