Song written by Ric Ocasek.
The Cars version
'Just what I needed' was recorded by The Cars on their self-titled debut album, released in 1978. Sung by the band's bass player Benjamin Orr, the song was released as a single and peaked at number 17 in the UK singles chart.
Kim Wilde version
Kim Wilde recorded a cover of 'Just what I needed' for her 2011 album Snapshots.
Versions
There are two versions of 'Just what I needed': the album version and the rough demo mix included on the promotion cd for the album.
Live performances
'Just what I needed' was performed live during the Snapshots & Greatest Hits Tour in 2012 only.
Kim about 'Just what I needed'
'Just what I needed' was recorded by the Cars, released in 1978. I was 18, increasingly getting into pop music. I loved the punk rock scene but I loved the sort of post-punk, new wave kind of scene. The Cars were in that sort of genre, post-punk, new wave, definitely rock and roll, and very pop. So they seemed to combine all the elements of music that I loved the most. And this song I just, I just loved Ben Orr's vocals and his beautiful face. It was just a few years before I started recording myself, so they were a huge influence, not just on myself but on my brother, Ricky Wilde. (1)
Credits
Drums: Paul Kaiser
Guitars: Ricky Wilde
Additional vocals by Kim Wilde, Ricky Wilde & Scarlett Wilde
Produced by Alex Rethwisch
Vocal production by Ricky Wilde
Drums recorded by Manfred Faust @ Gaga Studio, Hamburg
Interview source
(1) Track by track commentary, Sony Music, 2011.