"Just What I Needed" by The Cars
Strong Songs
Just What I Needed by Sond Forcaso
i think rico casic has a very coy style of writing lyrics. I love the fact that this song is just a guy listing all the things that it isn't. The first phrase traces straight through that chord progression and really makes a meal out of the g sharp major cord. It's such a tidy, carefully composed solo. Played on piano, it sounds positively pert - when you play it on guitar with a kind of chorus effect and some bends, it can get nastier sounding.
It's not the perfume that you wear... it's not the ribbons in your hair.... I guess it's just the perfect blend of synths and electric guitars that you bring to every song.
Yes, it's time for Strong Songs to tackle The Cars, and their 1978 pop-rock classic "Just What I Needed." But while that song encapsulates everything that made the brilliant Boston five-piece great, Kirk decided to use his Walkman to occasionally fast-forward to compare and contrast with a second Cars classic from 1984.
Written by: Ric Ocasek
Albums: The Cars, 1978 and Heartbeat City, 1984
Listen/Buy to both albums on all platforms via Songwhip
ALSO FEATURED/DISCUSSED:
- "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen from A Night at the Opera, 1975
- "Drive," "Good Times Roll," and "My Best Friend's Girl" by Ric Ocasek/The Cars from The Cars, 1978 and Heartbeat City, 1984
OUTRO SOLOIST: BJ Cord
This episode's outro soloist is BJ Cord, a fantastic trumpet player based in Portland. BJ works at Monette trumpets making some of the most beautiful horns in the world, and is a regular presence on their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monettetrumpets
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