Transcribing Notes From John Neil (Head Transcriber)
Just What I Needed – The Cars – Song Breakdown
A Roy Thomas Baker (of Bohemian Rhapsody fame) production, there are many layers in this recording. Lots and lots of stacked backing vocals, guitars, keyboards etc.
Melody
The well missed Benjamin Orr on vocals (who we lost in 2000 from pancreatic cancer). On this one he sings in the range of B2 to B4. A nice melody with lots of low pick-up notes.
Download the Melody Sheet Music Here
Keyboard
One of my favorite keyboardists – Greg Hawkes. The main riffs in this are the synth lines – some sawtooth wave, some square wave, and some both. These have portamento, so the notes glide from one to the other. Also, he does a line in the choruses with a sort of a cheesy Casio sounding sawtooth tone that’s way in the background. And in the solo section live, he does chords on 8th notes, which can faintly be heard in the recording as well.
Download the Keyboard Sheet Music Here
Lead Guitar
There are 3 guitar parts I hear in the recording (plus the solo parts), which I whittled down to 2 total. The lead guitar does the more active rhythm guitar parts, and all the solos and riffs. Basically what Elliot Easton does live (for the most part).
Download the Lead Guitar Tab Here
Rhythm Guitar
This is more like what Ric Ocasek did live, the more palm muted 5 chords throughout.
Download the Rhythm Guitar Tab Here
Strum Guitar
There isn’t an acoustic strum in this song, so a part was made up to keep the rhythm going.
Download the Strum Tab Here
Download the Ukulele Tab Here
Bass
Back to Benjamin Orr, this part has lots of short notes & slides, and is played with a pick.
Download the Bass Tab Here
Drums
David Robinson holding down the groove. A pretty basic beat with lots of bass drums.
Download the Drum Music Here
Download the Lead Sheet Here
