Just What I Needed: The Cars Anthology
Encyclopedia
Just What I Needed: The Cars Anthology is a career compilation (as opposed to simply a hits compilation) from the 80s New Wave
rock group The Cars
. It features most of their singles but also gave a generous helping of album tracks, B-sides, and unreleased tracks.
is exactly what a hits compilation should be—all the biggest-selling singles, in one package -- Just What I Needed includes a lot more. Where Greatest Hits was ideal for the music lover who wanted only what they heard on the radio and no more, Just What I Needed includes enough rarities to practically make a new album in themselves, plus the requisite hits and deeper album tracks. As such, it provides a more comprehensive overview of the band for both novices and established fans. Also, "I'm Not the One" is the album version from 1980, where the version on Greatest Hits is a 1986 remix with a distinctly more "80s" sound. Greatest Hits also includes one song not included on Just What I Needed ("Heartbeat City").
Of these, "Leave or Stay " and "Ta Ta Wayo Wayo" are fascinating glimpses into early band development—songs which (for whatever reason) did not make it onto the first album, and subsequently fell by the wayside. For the hardcore Cars fan, these were the real gold (as well as the demos included on the deluxe edition of The Cars
).
The rest are songs that simply were not included on the official albums, and are not necessarily any less interesting than what was included. The exception might be "Nightspots", but even that provides some interest in terms of hearing how it sounded before becoming a band effort.
"The Little Black Egg" and "Funtime" are especially notable for being other people's songs, made as backing tracks for Bebe Buell
to record vocals over for her own album.
Disc 1
Disc 2
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
rock group The Cars
The Cars
The Cars are an American rock band that emerged from the early New Wave music scene in the late 1970s. The band consisted of lead singer and rhythm guitarist Ric Ocasek, lead singer and bassist Benjamin Orr, guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes and drummer David Robinson...
. It features most of their singles but also gave a generous helping of album tracks, B-sides, and unreleased tracks.
Comparison to The Cars: Greatest Hits
Where Greatest HitsGreatest Hits (The Cars album)
Greatest Hits is a six-time platinum-selling compilation album by the new wave band The Cars. It was released in October 1985 on Elektra Records.-Track listing:All songs written by Ric Ocasek.# "Just What I Needed" – 3:43...
is exactly what a hits compilation should be—all the biggest-selling singles, in one package -- Just What I Needed includes a lot more. Where Greatest Hits was ideal for the music lover who wanted only what they heard on the radio and no more, Just What I Needed includes enough rarities to practically make a new album in themselves, plus the requisite hits and deeper album tracks. As such, it provides a more comprehensive overview of the band for both novices and established fans. Also, "I'm Not the One" is the album version from 1980, where the version on Greatest Hits is a 1986 remix with a distinctly more "80s" sound. Greatest Hits also includes one song not included on Just What I Needed ("Heartbeat City").
Tracks Not Previously Available on Digital Media (rarities unique to this release)
- Take Me Now
- Cool Fool
- Nightspots (very early demo, featuring only Ocasek & Hawkes)
- Slipaway
- That's it
- Don't Go to Pieces
- The Little Black EggThe Little Black Egg"The Little Black Egg" is a song first performed by Daytona Beach, Florida garage band The Nightcrawlers in 1965. It reached number 85 on the Billboard charts in 1967,...
- FuntimeFuntime (Iggy Pop song)"Funtime" is a song written by David Bowie and Iggy Pop, first released by Pop on his 1977 album The Idiot.It has since been covered by multiple artists, including Blondie, Boy George, Bebe Buell, R.E.M. and The Cars.- Details :...
- Breakaway
- Leave or Stay (demo)
- Ta Ta Wayo Wayo (demo)
Of these, "Leave or Stay " and "Ta Ta Wayo Wayo" are fascinating glimpses into early band development—songs which (for whatever reason) did not make it onto the first album, and subsequently fell by the wayside. For the hardcore Cars fan, these were the real gold (as well as the demos included on the deluxe edition of The Cars
The Cars (album)
The Cars is the self-titled debut album by the American rock band The Cars released in 1978. With the popular tracks "Just What I Needed" and "My Best Friend's Girl" getting heavy airplay on AOR radio stations, the album sold one million copies by the end of the year and steadily climbed the...
).
The rest are songs that simply were not included on the official albums, and are not necessarily any less interesting than what was included. The exception might be "Nightspots", but even that provides some interest in terms of hearing how it sounded before becoming a band effort.
"The Little Black Egg" and "Funtime" are especially notable for being other people's songs, made as backing tracks for Bebe Buell
Bebe Buell
Beverle Lorence "Bebe" Buell is an American fashion model and singer, and Playboy magazine's November 1974 Playmate of the Month. She is also known for dating rock musicians. She is actress Liv Tyler's mother from a brief relationship with Aerosmith vocalist Steven Tyler...
to record vocals over for her own album.
Disc One
- Just What I NeededJust What I Needed-Cover versions:*Big Daddy - Big Daddy*Caleigh Peters – Sky High soundtrack*Sister Hazel – Lift*Poison – Poison'd*Bang Tango – Untied and live!*The Insyderz – Fight Of My Life and Paradise CD Single*Replicants – Replicants...
- My Best Friend's GirlMy Best Friend's Girl (song)"My Best Friend's Girl" is a song by American rock band The Cars from their 1978 self-titled debut album on Elektra Records. Written by Ric Ocasek and produced by Roy Thomas Baker, the song was released as the album's second single. It peaked at number 35 on the U.S. Hot 100 chart, and reached...
- Good Times RollGood Times Roll"Good Times Roll" is a song by American rock band The Cars. It is the first track from their 1978 debut album The Cars, produced by Roy Thomas Baker...
- You're All I've Got Tonight
- Don't Cha Stop
- Moving in StereoMoving in Stereo"Moving in Stereo" is a song originally recorded by the American rock band The Cars, featuring lead vocals by Benjamin Orr. It appeared on their self-titled debut album released in 1978...
- (Ocasek/G. HawkesGreg HawkesGreg Hawkes is a musician best known as the keyboardist for the Rock band The Cars.Hawkes, a native of Fulton, Maryland, attended Atholton High School where he played in a band called Teeth. He then attended Berklee College of Music for two years, majoring in composition and flute...
) - Take Me Now
- Cool Fool - (Ocasek/E. EastonElliot EastonElliot Easton plays lead guitar and sings backing vocals for The Cars. His guitar solos are integral part of the band's hit singles. He studied music at the Berklee College of Music...
) - Let's GoLet's Go (The Cars song)"Let's Go" was the first single from The Cars' album Candy-O released in 1979. It was written by Ric Ocasek and features lead vocals by Cars bassist Ben Orr. The single peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the U.S., but the song was an even bigger success elsewhere...
- Candy-OCandy-O (song)"Candy-O" is a song by the American rock band The Cars, the title track of their 1979 album Candy-O. It was written by primary songwriter Ric Ocasek, was produced by Roy Thomas Baker, and features Cars bassist Benjamin Orr on lead vocals.- Details :...
- Dangerous Type
- Double Life
- Got a Lot on My Head
- It's All I Can DoIt's All I Can Do"It's All I Can Do" is a song by the American rock band The Cars. It is the third track from their 1979 album Candy-O. It was written by the band's lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Ric Ocasek, and features the bassist, Benjamin Orr, on vocals...
- Nightspots
- Slipaway
- That's it
- Panorama
- Gimme Some Slack
- Don't Go to Pieces (Ocasek/Greg Hawkes)
Disc Two
- Touch and Go
- Don't Tell Me No
- Shake It Up
- Since You're Gone
- I'm Not the OneI'm Not the One"I'm Not the One" is a song by the American rock band The Cars, from their fourth album, Shake It Up. It features Ric Ocasek on lead vocals, with the whole group repeating "going round and round" throughout the song.-Overview:...
- Cruiser
- The Little Black EggThe Little Black Egg"The Little Black Egg" is a song first performed by Daytona Beach, Florida garage band The Nightcrawlers in 1965. It reached number 85 on the Billboard charts in 1967,...
(Michael Stone) - FuntimeFuntime (Iggy Pop song)"Funtime" is a song written by David Bowie and Iggy Pop, first released by Pop on his 1977 album The Idiot.It has since been covered by multiple artists, including Blondie, Boy George, Bebe Buell, R.E.M. and The Cars.- Details :...
(David BowieDavid BowieDavid Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
/Iggy PopIggy PopIggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
) - You Might ThinkYou Might Think"You Might Think" is a single by The Cars from their fifth studio album, Heartbeat City, which came out in 1984. The track was written by Ric Ocasek, and produced by Mutt Lange and The Cars. Ocasek sang lead vocals....
- DriveDrive (The Cars song)"Drive" is a 1984 song by The Cars, the third single from the band's Heartbeat City album and their biggest international hit. It was written by Ric Ocasek and produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange with the band. Lead vocals were by Cars bassist Benjamin Orr....
- MagicMagic (The Cars song)"Magic" is a song by The Cars from their fifth studio album, Heartbeat City, released in 1984. It was released as a single and reached No. 12 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart. The track was written by Ric Ocasek and produced by Robert "Mutt" Lange and The Cars...
- Hello AgainHello Again (The Cars song)"Hello Again" is a song performed by the rock band The Cars, released in 1984 as the fourth single from the album Heartbeat City. It was the fourth Top 20 hit from the album, reaching number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart; it also reached number 8 on the Dance Music/Club Play Singles chart and...
- Why Can't I Have You
- Breakaway
- Tonight She ComesTonight She Comes"Tonight She Comes" is a 1985 song by The Cars, from their Greatest Hits album. It was released as a single in October 1985, reaching number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 in January, 1986...
- You Are the GirlYou Are the Girl"You Are the Girl" is a 1987 song by The Cars, from their album Door to Door. It was released as a single in August 1987, reaching number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100....
- Strap Me in
- Door to Door
- Leave or Stay
- Ta Ta Wayo Wayo
Disc 1
- Tracks 1-6 are from The CarsThe Cars (album)The Cars is the self-titled debut album by the American rock band The Cars released in 1978. With the popular tracks "Just What I Needed" and "My Best Friend's Girl" getting heavy airplay on AOR radio stations, the album sold one million copies by the end of the year and steadily climbed the...
. - Tracks 7-8 and 16 are previously unreleased.
- Tracks 9-14 are from Candy-OCandy-OCandy-O is the second studio album by the American rock band The Cars, released in 1979.- Cover art :The album cover was painted by artist Alberto Vargas, known for his paintings of pin-up girls that appeared in Esquire and Playboy magazines in the 1940s and 1960s...
. - Track 15 is an early demo, recorded between the first two albums.
- Track 17 is the B side to "Let's Go".
- Tracks 18-19 are from Panorama.
- Track 20 is the B side to "Don't Tell Me No".
Disc 2
- Tracks 1-2 are from Panorama.
- Tracks 3-6 are from Shake It Up.
- Tracks 7-8 are previously unreleased.
- Tracks 9-13 are from Heartbeat CityHeartbeat CityHeartbeat City is the fifth studio album by American rock band The Cars, released in 1984.Heartbeat City contains a total of five American Top 40 singles, two of which were Top 10 as well, reaching #3 and #7, respectively...
. - Track 14 is the B side to "Why Can't I Have You".
- Track 15 is from Greatest HitsGreatest Hits (The Cars album)Greatest Hits is a six-time platinum-selling compilation album by the new wave band The Cars. It was released in October 1985 on Elektra Records.-Track listing:All songs written by Ric Ocasek.# "Just What I Needed" – 3:43...
- Tracks 16-18 are from Door to Door.
- Tracks 19-20 are previously unreleased demos from 1977 (later redone for Door to Door).
Personnel
- Elliot EastonElliot EastonElliot Easton plays lead guitar and sings backing vocals for The Cars. His guitar solos are integral part of the band's hit singles. He studied music at the Berklee College of Music...
– lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
, backing vocals - Greg HawkesGreg HawkesGreg Hawkes is a musician best known as the keyboardist for the Rock band The Cars.Hawkes, a native of Fulton, Maryland, attended Atholton High School where he played in a band called Teeth. He then attended Berklee College of Music for two years, majoring in composition and flute...
– keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, backing vocals - Ric OcasekRic OcasekRic Ocasek is an American musician and music producer. He is best known as lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the rock band, The Cars....
– rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
, lead vocals on Disc One tracks: 2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19; Disc Two tracks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 - Benjamin OrrBenjamin OrrBenjamin Orr was an American rock musician best known as the bassist and vocalist for the Boston based rock band, The Cars....
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, lead vocals on Disc One tracks: 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 17, 20; Disc Two tracks: 2, 6, 8, 10 - David RobinsonDavid Robinson (musician)David Robinson is an American rock drummer. He has performed with many rock bands including The Modern Lovers, DMZ and The Cars.He attended Woburn Memorial High School....
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...