The Cars' 1978 self-titled debut, issued on the Elektra label, is a genuine rock masterpiece. The band jokingly referred to the album as their "true greatest-hits album," but it's no exaggeration -- all nine tracks are new wave/rock classics, still in rotation on rock radio. Whereas most bands of the late '70s embraced either punk/new wave or hard rock, the Cars were one of the first bands to do the unthinkable -- merge the two styles together. Add to it bandleader/songwriter Ric Ocasek's supreme pop sensibilities, and you had an album that appealed to new wavers, rockers, and Top 40 fans. One of the most popular new wave songs ever, "Just What I Needed," is an obvious highlight, as are such familiar hits as "Good Times Roll," "My Best Friend's Girl," and "You're All I've Got Tonight." But like most consummate rock albums, the lesser-known compositions are just as exhilarating: "Don't Cha Stop," "Bye Bye Love," "All Mixed Up," and "Moving in Stereo," the latter featured as an instrumental during a steamy scene in the popular movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High. With flawless performances, songwriting, and production (courtesy of Queen alumni Roy Thomas Baker), the Cars' debut remains one of rock's all-time classics. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
The Cars is the debut album by the Boston-based Americannew wave band The Cars, released in 1978. With the popular tracks "Just What I Needed" and "My Best Friend's Girl" getting heavy airplay on album-oriented rock radio stations, the album sold one million copies by the end of the year and steadily climbed the charts, peaking at #18 on the Billboard 200 in March 1979. The album was ranked #4 on Billboard's Top Pop Albums of 1979 year end chart. The Cars remained on the album chart for 139 weeks with four more tracks — "Good Times Roll", "You're All I've Got Tonight", "Bye Bye Love" and "Moving in Stereo" — becoming AOR radio favorites.
The album was re-issued as a Deluxe Edition on April 20, 1999, containing demos of the entire album alongside five previously unreleased demos.
The cover model is Natalya Medvedeva, a Russian-born model, journalist, and musician who died in 2003.
