“I’ve probably been through more relationships than most people that I know. You have to keep in there, pitching (to keep romance alive). The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence, but if you really care about somebody and make a commitment, you give it the best shot you can. It’s a shot in the dark, but I’m taking it.” — Chicago Tribune, December 30, 1986
The name Joe Milliken is familiar to most of you… he’s the guy who is writing a music biography about our wonderful Benjamin Orr. What you may NOT know is that he is also the publisher of his own website called Standing Room Only, a site dedicated to promoting music, arts, and specialty foods in the northern New England area. Music reviews, concert recaps, and exclusive interviews with badass rockers are the norm, along with lots of attention given to local businesses and arts events, making this a website with something for everyone.
Joe also runs “The Jock of Rock Presents” facebook page, providing a shot of rock and roll in your newsfeed, just when you need it.
Through our common interests of music, The Cars, and writing, I’ve become good friends with Joe over the last several months. And… I am thrilled and honored to announce that I have received an invitation from him to contribute to his site! I am in the process of writing a series of album/CD reviews revolving around the recent re-issuing of The Cars’ classic back-catalog, which will be published soon. Not sure where we’ll go after that, but I am excited for the possibilities!
Not only that, but as his book gets closer to hitting the market, I will be involved in getting the word out through as many channels as possible. You can imagine the joy it gives me to have another way to promote Benjamin’s life and legacy in the world.
Please be sure to check out his website, and stay tuned for links to my contributions.
Dave and Donna discuss The Cars memorabilia available back in the day, and the current state of the franchise.
Appearances by Flat Andy-O, Ric Fandango-Phony and a guest caller… and Donna finally gets a chance to air my grievance over the Panorama turntable cover. Don’t miss this episode!
UPDATE (March 14, 2018): All episodes are now available on Youtube! Listen, subscribe, and share. Check us out at bit.do/nightthoughts
The Edge by The Cars (written by Ric Ocasek, ©198*)
Today you feel so hopped up like you’re cooking **
Prisoner of your own dilemma, you can keep the dirty looks
We’re talking* says the Chinaman, you can transplant instead
Or you can shuffle down to kingdom come but that’s just what he says
You gotta take off the edge, you gotta take off the edge
You gotta take it off, come on, take it off… well…
Today you feel so cracked up, and you feel this running fever
That rises when you least expect it, and comes on like a cleaver
Get lost in the ballerina, it’s just like dancing with myself
And the only time you sneak around is when you need some kind of help, ho!
You gotta take off the edge, you gotta take off the edge
You gotta take it off, come on, take it off…. go!
Today you feel electric, zippin and a-zappin
A little like ‘condition dead’ with all the extra trappings
I’m with you said the jedi, as he pockets all your hope
Well if you really want to hang yourself don’t supply* the extra rope
You gotta take off the edge, you gotta take off the edge
Come on, take it off… take it… take it off… take off the edge
You gotta take off the edge, you gotta take off the edge
You gotta take it off, come on, take off the edge
You gotta take off the edge, you gotta… come on, take it off… well
You gotta take off the edge, you gotta take off the edge
You gotta take off the edge, take it off
You gotta take off the edge, you gotta take off the edge
Come on, take it off… well… take it off… take off the edge
Dave and Donna are once again thrown into the world of technological frustration and delays… but it doesn’t stop us from sharing lots of laughs as we narrow down our favorite Cars choices in a variety of out-of-the-box categories.
Also, a Dante bribe update — and our first NiGHT THOUGHTS emails!
Take a listen and tell me your favorites. And don’t forget to find The Cars FANORAMA Facebook group, join us, and comment. Looking forward to hearing from you!
Click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVOxGXl5ggY
UPDATE (March 14, 2018): All episodes are now available on Youtube! Listen, subscribe, and share. Check us out at bit.do/nightthoughts
“I don’t think I would want to write for The Cars, though. Why? Because The Cars are The Cars, and have been for such a long time. My music is a lot different — even though sometimes the beat pattern in one of my song’s bass line might seem a little similar to something that The Cars might do.” — Chicago Tribune, December 30, 1986
As one of the most recognizable and popular songs by The Cars, there are oodles of write-ups out there about “Just What I Needed.” Rather than add my little opinions to the fray, I’m going to focus on cool, fun and noteworthy versions of the song floating around. There are tons!
Ric Ocasek penned this tune in 1976, and of course, as you probably know, this was the song that launched the band… Radio DJ Maxanne Sartori heard it, loved it, and began playing it on her show in Boston. It quickly became a local favorite. On May 29, 1978, just before The Cars released their debut album, the band sent this single out into the world. Though it didn’t place high on the charts in the US (only reaching #27 on the Billboard Hot 100), critics and consumers loved it, and it obviously played a huge role in keeping The Cars on the Billboard 200 chart for 139 weeks. Many of us fondly point to this song as the one that started our Cars addiction.
In choosing various covers to include here, I started with the ones I enjoyed the most, and then narrowed it down based on the criteria that something unique stood out about the performance. There are so many interpretations out there; this certainly isn’t a definitive list.
I’ve got to start out with this terrific audio consisting only of Benjamin’s vocals, his bass, and the guitar solo. Off. the. CHAIN. I love this one in the headphones.
This next version is actually performed by just Ric on acoustic guitar. He participated in one of a series of artist ’roundtable’ shows at The Bottom Line in New York City on May 21, 1992. Organized by Allan Pepper and Vin Scelsa, the idea was to bring together a small group of songwriters and get them talking and playing, and let the music take over. Take a listen here:
Greg’s been known to jam to this song outside of The Cars as well. I loved seeing this video of him with the Aquabats on May 8, 2014, at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston. I’m always delighted with Greg’s participation in children’s programs, and of course, it’s so terrific to expose the next generation to this great music:
And speaking of the next generation, listen to this little cutie pie banging out a drum cover. She nails it!
Then we’ve got a band of teens confidently rocking it out at a 2016 talent show. You’ve got the groovy chick on bass, the firecracker on the drums, and check out the dude doubling up on keys and lead guitar! I’m loving this:
This next one is more acceptable to MY teenagers, who love the dubstep genre. This modern remix, created by well-known Swiss DJ and producer, Antoine Konrad (aka DJ Antoine) will definitely get a party going. Give it a listen:
If you need something a little more mellow, get a load of this bossa nova version. I still laugh when I hear it… it always reminds me of Flint Lockwood taking a break in Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs… Haha!
Lots of bands have put their own spin on this iconic song. This one is probably my favorite… the vibe is so happy and the variety of stringed instruments makes it extra fun. That banjo, though!
Looking for even more fun than that? This ‘vintage 60s cover’ really takes it to another level, and the video has a host of visual delights: aside from the stunning Sara Niemietz, the background players draw the eye with their goofy antics.
Need to cut about a minute off of your listening time? Ghoti Hook, a 1990’s Christian punk band from Virginia, really ramps up the tempo in their cover… feels a little frantic to me but surprisingly appealing somehow… go figure! Just give it a try:
More recently, American country music singer Eric Church performed “Just What I Needed” during his May, 2017, show. I love how accessible this song is across genres, and the reaction of the crowd is terrific.
“Just What I Needed” has also been used in commercials, movies and in TV shows. Here are just a few samples, starting with this quick spot from Circuit City, 2005.
Many folks may remember the controversial-but-iconic teen film Over The Edge that came out in 1979. Not only was it Matt Dillon’s acting debut, but it featured “Just What I Needed” as the backdrop for a pivotal party scene:
And you can’t overlook this terrific scene from the Emmy award-winning television cartoon, Bob’s Burgers.
Even in recent films, “Just What I Needed” fits the bill: here is a trailer for the new Reese Witherspoon movie, coming out in September of 2017. I love how this song (and much of The Cars’ catalog) is timeless.
Okay, this final audio is so interesting to me. Since I sometimes have a hard time discerning the different instruments in full studio versions of songs, I am always fascinated by recordings that isolate various elements. The segment plays twice and it is well worth the second listen… it’s utterly delicious. Ooooh, that bass!
Do you have a favorite version that I didn’t highlight here? Comment below or find me on Facebook and tell me about it!
This week on the podcast Dave and Donna do a live unboxing of the Candy-O and Panorama Expanded Editions on vinyl, then give their thoughts on the cover designs, new music and what the hell happened to the space-time continuum.
UPDATE (March 14, 2018): All episodes are now available on Youtube! Listen, subscribe, and share. Check us out at bit.do/nightthoughts
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