Discover the story of the song > Just What I Needed – The Cars

The song Just What I Needed by The Cars was released in 1978. It was written by Ric Ocasek and produced by Roy Thomas Baker. The song is part of the album The Cars, which was certified double platinum in the United States.

Just What I Needed was written by Ric Ocasek while he was going through a divorce from his first wife. He described the song as an "amicable divorce song." The song reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1978.

The Cars were formed in 1976 by Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr. They signed with Elektra Records in 1977 and released their first album, The Cars, in 1978. The album was a commercial success, reaching #4 on the Billboard 200 and certified double platinum in the United States. It contained the singles Just What I Needed, My Best Friend's Girl and Good Times Roll.