Just what I needed - The Cars

'Just What I Needed', like many other tracks on The Cars' debut album, originated as a demo tape recorded by the band in 1977. It was released as a single, after the band signed to Elektra records, in 1978. It was the lead single of the band's self-titled debut album. The song peaked at number 27 in the US and number 17 in the UK.

Kim Wilde recorded a cover version of this track on her 2011 album 'Snapshots', which should explain why I was hunting for this single in the first place. Having found a picture disc, I'm rather satisfied.

My collection: 7" single no. 5839
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 28, 2016
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Just what I needed' / 'I'm in touch with your world'

Listen to the song

Hello again - The Cars

'Hello again' was the fourth single taken from the Cars' 1984 album 'Heartbeat city'. The single was notable for its music video, which was directed by Andy Warhol, who also appeared in the video.

The single reached number 42 in Canada and number 52 in Australia, but in Europe, it did not chart. The video was shown regularly on music channels at the time despite this - which is how I found out about the song. And even then it took me some years to finally find the single.

My collection: 7" single no. 2622
Found: February 24, 1996
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Hello again' / 'Hello again (dub version)'

Why can't I have you - The Cars

I don't remember how I got to hear 'Why can't I have you' by the Cars. As it didn't reach the charts in the Netherlands and I can't imagine it being played on the radio much, I really can't figure it out. But I'm glad I did: it's one of my favourite songs from the Eighties.

'Why can't I have you' is a track from the Cars' very successful 1984 album 'Heartbeat city'. The single only charted in the USA, peaking at number 33 in the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 917
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 25, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Why can't I have you' / 'Heartbeat city'

Drive - The Cars

'Drive' was the third single from the Cars' 1984 album 'Heartbeat City'. Written by Ric Ocasek and produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange and the Cars, the lead vocals were performed by the band's bassist Benjamin Orr.

The single reached number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 28 in the Dutch Top 40. In the summer of 1985, the song was used for a video showing footage of hungry Ethiopian children during the Live Aid concert. Despite the fact that 'Who's gonna drive you home tonight' is a bit of a stupid question in a country where cars are nowhere to be seen and the question 'Who's gonna give you food tonight' might be more appropriate, the single found itself in the public eye once more. When it was re-released, it reached number 4 in the UK and number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 327
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Drive' / 'Stranger eyes'

You might think - The Cars

The innovative music video for the Cars' 'You might think' is what prompted me to remember this song for years until I finally bought it in 1989, five years after its release. It was a single from their fifth studio album 'Heartbeat City', produced by Mutt Lange and the Cars. The music video was one of the first videos to use computerized effects. The video features band leader Ric Ocasek and model Susan Gallagher in a series of encounters. Ocasek appears in her bathroom mirror, in her mouth, as a fly, and as the Robot Monster, among other incarnations.

The single reached number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 8 in Canada. In the UK, however, the single only reached number 88.

My collection: 7" single no. 741
Found: All that music, Leiden, February 9, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'You might think' / 'Heartbeat City'

Hello again - The Cars

The Cars were very successful in their native America, but they only got noticed here in Europe in 1984, when video music channels were on the rise. Their innovative video for 'You might think' was played dozens of times a week, and 'Drive' became famous after it was used for a video full of needy African people during Live Aid. To the best of my knowledge, neither of the 12" singles for these songs contained remixes.

'Hello again' was taken from the same album as the two named singles, 'Heartbeat city', and the 12" single featured remixes by famous producer Arthur Baker.

My collection: 12" single no. 465

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, 2004

Cost: 2 euros

Tracks: 'Hello again (extended remix version)', 'Hello again (dub version)' / 'Hello again'

Download: here