“Just What I Needed” is a song by American rock band The Cars, released as their debut single from their self-titled debut album, released in 1978 on Elektra Records. After achieving exposure as a demo, the song became a successful single for The Cars, hitting the top 30 in America.^[1] Appearing on numerous compilation albums, it has become one of the band’s most popular songs.

“Just What I Needed”, like many other tracks on The Cars, originated as a demo tape recorded by the band in 1977.^[1] This song first appeared in 1977 on Boston radio stations WCOZ and WBCN from the said demo tape, along with its future follow-up single “My Best Friend’s Girl“.^[1] Shortly thereafter, it became one of the stations’ most requested songs.^[2]

The opening riff of “Just What I Needed” was borrowed from “Yummy Yummy Yummy“, a song by the Ohio Express.^[1] It also features a prominent keyboard riff performed by Greg Hawkes. The song was sung by the Cars’ bassist Benjamin Orr.