Rewind: The Cars - The Cars (1978)

The Cars - The Cars

Elektra

Produced by Roy Thomas Baker

Released 6th June 1978

US Chart #18

UK Chart #29

Hailing from Boston, Massachusetts in 1976, The Cars were a band that for one reason or another got themselves tagged with the whole New Wave monicker but they didn't really fit that bill at all I think (heck, even Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers got tagged as New Wave and they had been on the years before the whole Punk & New Wave thing happened!).

They played their first live show 31st December 1976 at an Air Force Base in New Hampshire and spent 1977 playing shows around the country touting at 9 track demo that saw Just What I Needed get some heavy airplay on a couple of Boston Radio Stations and this led to a deal with Elektra.

I seem to remember that one of the main reasons Best Friend's Girl reached so high in the UK charts (besides it being a pretty cool song) was that it was released on a picture disc as well.

It was a great debut album as well with all songs written by Ric Ocasek (though Moving in Stereo was a Co-Write with Greg Hawkes). The lead vocals were split between Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr.

(Best Friend's Girl Picture Disc)

Singles from The Cars

Just What I Needed

May 1978

US Chart #27

UK Chart #17

My Best Friend's Girl

October 1978

US Chart #35

UK Chart #3

Good Times Roll

March 1979

US Chart #41 

Personnel
The Cars
    Ric Ocasek – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
    Elliot Easton – lead guitar, backing vocals
    Greg Hawkes – keyboards, percussion, saxophone, backing vocals
    Benjamin Orr – lead vocals, bass
    David Robinson – drums, percussion, Syndrums, backing vocals