"Just What I Needed" is a song by American rock band The Cars from their self-titled debut album (1978). The song, which first achieved radio success as a demo, took inspiration from the Ohio Express and the Velvet Underground. The song is sung by bass player Benjamin Orr and was written by Ric Ocasek.
"Just What I Needed" was released as the band's first single in 1978, reaching number 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and charting in several other countries. Appearing on numerous compilation albums, it has become one of the band's most popular songs and has been received positively by critics.
"Just What I Needed" is a new wave and power pop song, described as having a "hard rock punch". The song's opening riff was borrowed from "Yummy Yummy Yummy" by the Ohio Express. It also features a prominent keyboard riff performed by Greg Hawkes. The lyric "wasting all my time-time" is a reference to "Sister Ray" by the Velvet Underground, a band Ocasek credited as one of his favorites. The song was sung by the Cars' bassist Benjamin Orr, in a performance that Ultimate Classic Rock described as "perfect."
In 2003, pop rock band Fountains of Wayne would in turn copy the Cars' take on the riff for their song "Stacy's Mom". This prompted Ric Ocasek to say the opening was a sample; however, the band has insisted they "got it right".
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 I don't mind you coming here And wasting all my time, time Cause when you're standing 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 I don't mind you coming here And wasting 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 You're just what I needed Yeah yea-Yeahh
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