This was in the 1970's!?! A sound that was WAY ahead of it's time!
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- čas přidán 22. 06. 2024
- Tonight we're going back to the 70's to take a look at The Cars performing 'Just What I Needed'!
Original Video - • Just What I Needed - T...
TIME STAMPS -
0:00 Intro
0:56 Song
3:09 Analysis Start
4:47 Benjamin Orr’s Vocal
7:29 ‘Smokey’ Upper Range
10:04 Starting Low
15:35 Accuracy
18:16 Rik’s Chord Placement
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It also needs to be said, Benjamin just had effortless swagger for days. From the way he leaned back when he played his bass to the Elvis-like smirk he had while delivering his vocals, the guy was just a heavy dose of cool. Compared that with Ric who had nearly identical vocals but gave a more stoic vibe. The Cars were a treasure, man.
Walked by him at the entrance of their studio in Boston in the 80s. He was not only the embodiment of cool, he was also just a nice, genuinely friendly guy. I've read other accounts saying the same.
That's the best description of Ben Orr.... Elvis.
@@C2C. wow that just quadruples the cool factor. yes he was really something
Something tells me that he's Never had problems with the ....women folk lol ;)
Appreciate this analysis, the Cars were more than just Ric Ocasek, and I always tended to prefer the songs that were sung by Benjamin Orr. He was taken way too soon by a terrible beast of a disease, but it is great that we have performances like this to still recognize his talent.
I was lucky enough to survive what Ben Orr did not. Pancreatic Cancer is terrible. I got lucky because it was diagnosed VERY early. It was just sheer fortune that they found my PNET. I had a 'Whipple' procedure and as I was told, the '5225 rule' -- applied: 5% of 'Whipple' patients survive for 2 years post surgery, and just 2% of them survive 5 years (.e.. 5225). One of the most difficult 'reparable' surgeries there is -- to undergo. Less than 1 out of 100 survive. I hope the odds have gone up.
@@warrenholmes3311 I'm glad you were diagnosed early, that is such a hard thing with a pancreatic cancer. A Whipple procedure is a huge surgery, and the survival rate really depends on the underlying cancer. Survival is better for neuroendocrine tumors than for adenocarcinoma, which still has a pretty dismal 5 year survival rate unfortunately.
My father had the Whipple over 20 years ago, he is still alive (diagnosed early due to coincidental finding). Mom died 2019, diagnosed too late to save her. PANCREATIC CANCER SUCKS! God Bless Ben Orr, he was younger than my parents.
I was blessed enough to have grown up in Boston at a time when I was young enough to actually think that all cities had good local music. For me local bands began with Aerosmith, The Cars and The J. Geils Band.
Times were different. I had no idea that I was spoiled.
All my favourite Cars songs were sung by Orr, and this is my favourite song by them.
awesome analysis and spot on, great tour in 78 at Castle Farms Michigan 🍻🤟
Eliot Easton is a monster. Every solo he plays is perfect for the song.
Unique style.
Awesome. I learned the solo to Best Friends Girl. Playing it with my band. Elliot’s solos are like this. Melodic and precise. On Best Friends Girl solo you shoot out of the gate and you can’t stop…one flub up and you crash….no string bends or putzing around…it’s over 😂 But when you nail it …oh it’s great
Agree! 😊👍
Agree.
Always kind of wanted a bumpersticker: My other Car is Elliot Easton.
Agreed! Elliot's solos are like mini compositions within the songs. Absolutely well crafted solos.
The Midnight Special shows are just historical moments of authentic talent in music 😢❤
Benjamin Orr had a great voice and presence on stage.
This group was elite! Their voices definitely blended well. I was a big fan of Benjamin Orr
I freaking love the Cars. Still listen to them as much as I did back then.
All good work and I thought some of the drums were the best I'd heard.
I remember when this album came out and everyone was in awe. So different from anything else we had been listening to. Love The Cars. Love, love , love Ben’s voice. You made a great analysis from this song. So much fun.
I bought it when it came out and you're right, it was a monster. My BF got sick of me playing it constantly. It was so different, but heralded in a new sound for the 80s.
Yes, it exploded in my school, the guys were crazy over it. The funny thing is years later I figured out they were channeling 50s/60s pop with a synth mix.
The Cars, The Knack, Elvis Costello, B52s, Devo, Cheap Trick, Graham Parker, The Squeeze, The Jam, Madness, XTC, Strange Advance, Talk Talk etc I loved in late 70s, music changed for the better, it's fantastic when the record sounds the same live
I liked the Cars but none of those other groups. I'm more blues-rock personally.
The Knack got huge amounts of airplay on rock radio, and I always hated them. My Sharona is an incredibly stupid and annoying song.
@@Johnnylund1No, disco still went on through 1979. The Cars appeared in 1978.
Elvis Costello!! "Every Day I Write the Book" is beyond stellar. BTW there is a lovely video on YT of Elvis performing "Penny Lane" at the US White House with Sir Paul in the front row. Well worth a gander.
Yes. I tell my kids our pop music had killer guitars unlike the past two or three decades.
I remember when the cars came out. They hit the radio waves like a ton of bricks, no one else had that sound, and everyone wanted to sound like them. Benjamin Orr‘s voice was genius. Back then , we didn’t have the Internet to look things up like we do now, so that was great to have that mystery. It’s equally as great to see you analyze them now. Great job.
I was a junior in high school when this record came out. It was absolutely huge, and playing everywhere. I mean the whole record, not just this one song.
yep!
We had great music playing on the radio back then. Heck I still remember my Mom asking me about Devo the first time she heard them. My Mom btw had good taste in music even though being born before the end of WWII... She took me to my first concert as a kid. The Guess Who.
Me too. I was in 8th grade when this was new. We lived outside of Pittsburgh.
@@shawnadams1965Yeah, cool, don’t keep us in suspense-who’d she take you to see?
@@whipsmartchris ummm The Guess Who 😛
All my favourite Cars songs are sung by Ben Orr, and this one is my favourite of all.
Although people tend to think of the music of the 80's as having "a sound", the best bands from that decade (and I'm including bands that started in the very late 70's) had very unique and individual sounds, and the Cars definitely qualify as one of the best bands of the 80's, or of any decade.
Spot-on.
I heard Ric say that Benjamin would record his songs in one take. He was very special and sorely missed. Thanks for putting him in the spotlight.
I've read an interview with David Robinson where he said the same thing. Also that he learned vocals in one shot, which I find amazing
@@janetaldrich7747 Ben also developed his own manner of enunciation for his singing style. Kinda like his own personal accent.
For sure. I also saw an interview with Ric in which he said, "Whenever we wrote a song that needed a real singer, well, we gave that one to Ben".
Benjamin. He is sorely missed. It's pretty cool that the Cars had two recognizable lead vocals. Not easy. 3 Dog Night had this also. Talent!❤ RIP Benjamin.
This is one of my favorite bands of all time. and one of my favorite songs they do.
These guys are great.
Thank you for featuring the fabulous Ben Orr, a great vocalist, bassist, musician and from what I understand a great human as well. Gone far too soon. RIP Ben and Ric.
He's a very casual singer, not taking himself too seriously. Perfectly fits the song, this song never sounds old to me. Can't say enough about Elliot Easton, love that solo. In Boston you could get yourself beat up if you talked down on the Cars.
Fil, you should cover this song, man. Your voice is perfectly suited to it.
Agree.
Agree
Absolutely!
I have a pitch-perfect ear, and yes... you are humble in what you said - as you DO have a very close sound and quality to Benjamin.
Agree
My gosh...So handsome and amazing Benjamin Orr was...and still thats voice melts me ...I love you Ben ❤❤❤❤ i love the Cars ❤❤❤
Ben was the total package in this era. Blonde blue eyed, cleft chin, fit, easy smile, he projects warmth and ease, he's just flat-out gorgeous and im straight. Just being honest. Great voice, good bassist. I never understood why he got shuffled.
By far the best part of this video, besides time travel to watch Ben Orr at his youthful best, was your obvious appreciation for his talent and musicianship. It was a joy to behold.
When you isolated his voice , you can picture Bowie, he sounds very Bowie , I never noticed that before
Bowie and Billy Idol.
The best New Wave band. Period. They actually rocked. Fun fact: I thought for a long time that Ocasek sang all their early stuff. That high part with "...you coming here" almost sounds like proto-Cobain. All lot of the rest of it reminds me of early Bowie. Then again, I think Bowie is the secret DNA tying most New Wave together.
He's so amazing and he's playing some reasonably involved bass lines as well. He passed far too soon.
Super interesting analysis.
I sure loved The Cars music back in the day.
I was unaware of Benjamin Orr’s untimely passing.
What a beautiful, talented man he was.
I like how long you waited before breaking in. After all this time, I still love this song.
Everything they did was so tight, and cohesive. Eliot's guitar, spot on. Benjamin was just a presence. Standing there, looking out over the crowd, especially in the Live Aid show, that "Yeah, i'm that damn good". And he was.
I'm happy to say that I sold Eliot Easton a number of left-handed Telecasters at my shop near Boston in the early 1980's. The Cars sound great here. Thanks Phil.
So much raw talent in the late 70s, early 80s. Amazing music everywhere.
Ben Orr. There was just something about him. The Cars were my guilty pleasure when I tired of Metal and needed something else. That album. You know, I looked for a clear acrylic/plastic steering wheel for years in the 80s.
Oh! The Cars were definitely one of my very favorite in the 80's!!!
This was our song!!! My now husband and I!!! Its funny because this song described the two of us, perfectly. I kinda just kept showing up to be around him, asking him questions anout my car. I always had the cutest clothes, perfectly matched to my shoes and accessories. And he was the biker, cynical type. But he always made me laugh....still does. We dont look like we did in the early 80's, but still together. I'm 58 and he's 62. I was 19 and he was 24, when i moved in with him...a tiny bit at a time. Lol! My possessions just kept increasing at his house.😁✌️
Another great one that always got me feeling good was "LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL".
The whole album was full of great songs!
So good to see Benjamin's voice & talent highlighted as many people assumed it was always Ric singing in The Cars, despite clear differences in their voices.
Benjamin's voice was so versatile - from warm & comforting on 'Drive' to powerful, deep & 🔥🔥🔥 on Candy O.
Imagine if the music continued to flourish in the 2000s. I would have a bagillion LPs. Anybody else miss the album art?
Fil has such a great ear, and the technical knowledge to go with it. And man I love The Cars.
Benjamin Orr was an amazing musician. He left us way too soon.😢
The Cars first album landed on our collective ears like a tidal wave! Their sound was so new, so raw and had Elliot Easton's absolutely amazing guitar work throughout. Totally blew our minds.
Their concert here in CZcams called "The Cars Go To College" is EPIC!! Intimate venue and a great raw live performance.
What a sad loss Ben was. Great smokey sound to voice. Taken way to soon. Rest in Peace Ben.
"Doesn't matter where you've been, as long as it was deep." More lyrics like that, please.
I did the lights for them back in the 70’s one night at a club called Mr. C’s Rock Palace in Lowell, MA USA… The Cars went out at the height of their popularity.
Thank you Benjamine Orr, forever, and thank you Wings of Pegasus!
I hear a crooners' voice in much of his lines, and it's great. The Cars first 2 albums are some of the greatest back to backs in my opinion.
The wonderful 70s and 80s, then even everyone’s vocals were special, non-standard, with their own style of singing, and it’s wonderful when, while listening to music, you can immediately distinguish the vocalist and even tell who sings it.
Absolutely love the Cars. Benjamin was incredible.
Love his voice. So easy on the eyes he was.
The Cars were such a breath of fresh air when that album came out. I played that album to death! Hearing it again tonight made me realize that I was not wrong in recognizing its awesomeness, it's still awesome. Thank you for this!
Saw the Cars open up for Styx in 1978 or maybe 79. The only reason we went was to see The Cars. Great band and their first album is literally a greatest hits collection
RIP Benjamin
Oh man I’m so envious of you 😟
I never got to see the Cars, although they were one of my favorite bands of that era.
think was 79 my older brother attended that show after senior year but i was too young
I would've preferred Styx.
Right. Not a bit of filler on it. That album had nothing but #1 hits one after the next as far as I'm concerned.
@@SpaceCattttt We left halfway through their set. The Cars blew them out of the water
Thank you so much Fil for paying a Tribute to The Cars' timeless genius.
My favorite band as a teenager and couldn’t agree more that they were ahead of their time. Listen to Candy O, it’s a prime example of how unique their sound was. Love your channel
Vocal tone, delivery at times sounded like D Bowie's.
With uncommon limited vibrato, abrupt slides, and off-pitch, perfect selection for your vocal analysis.
When the Cars first came out, I recall a reviewer describing Ben’s voice as having a compelling catch to it. I find that describes it perfectly ❤
Loved the Cars for helping lead us out of the disco era! ❤️
Indeed!!!
I was so sick of disco I even thanked KISS for God's sake.
And Boston!
The thing with The Cars is that when you listened to these songs when they first came out (as I did) you couldn't even tell the difference between Ric Ocasek & Benjamin Orr when they sang between the different songs. Other than 'Drive' I think it was years before I realized that Benjamin Orr sang on songs other than 'Drive', especially on their Debut. Too funny, but true.
This is true. We didn’t have the internet, and Ric seemed like the spokesman for the band. I bought the first two vinyls, and cassettes for my car, but we didn’t know how many songs Ben was singing, not Ric.
I thought it was just me. It took years for me to realize Ric didn’t sing every lead vocal (including this song). One of my favorite groups of all time.
Hi Fil,
What a pleasure it was to listen to this song and for you to highlight
Ben Orr’s voice. I always loved the songs he sang with The Cars. My personal favorite of his is Drive. The Cars were definitely at the forefront of the New Wave groups that made 80s music iconic. The Cars, Missing Persons, Duran Duran and others were musical standouts of their day. Ben did a great job singing this song and had such a unique style and sound. Thanks for this awesome analysis and appreciating Ben, Ric, Greg, and Elliot! You Are The Best! Love You, Debbie ☮️
Damn! I miss Benjamin. He was such a kind and gentle man that was ahead of his time. He did some amazing solo work as well. 'Stay the night' is such an amazing piece with great synthesizer work.
So happy you analyised the Cars!!! All five members had a unique talent and look. I preferred Ben's songs that he sung as his vocal range was more varied than Ric. Plus the guy had rock star looks and mannerisms that endeared him to fans.
Perfect voice for this song, a perfect song for this voice. They are married together so perfectly. It sounds like he really likes singing this song and feels very comfortable performing it. Thanks for the analysis. I can tell you really like the guitar work.
The Cars were so far ahead of there time for sure, Candy O is a masterpiece that followed one of the very best debut LPs of all time, quite a feat.
Benny 11 Letters, Benjamin was a teenage rock star in his hometown of Cleveland. The Cars are in my top 5 bands, they were so fun and unique from the start
I love Benjamin's voice especially with his solo and previous bands.
He rests in peace in a small rural area in Ohio.
I'll always miss him and play his music
Thanks for covering this
I thought he was English!
I'm from the Cleveland area and grew up listening to The Cars on the radio. At the time I had no idea how lucky I was.
Lately I've rediscovered The Cars, and revisited their first two albums, mostly to listen to Benjamin's voice. He had a unique style and sound, which you pointed out with stunning accuracy, in my opinion. What a blast it was to hear The Cars music back then, and I still love it today! Elliot Easton's guitar playing was phenomenal too. Thanks Fil, this was great. Rest in Peace Benjamin❤ and Ric❤
I was fortunate to see them on tour right after the album came out. They really rocked in concert.
Never was a band like them and none since.
Their sound .
First I heard this LP, I thought it had to be the greatest hits of a band I had somehow missed. Learning they were just getting started was mind blowing! No wonder why I still love music from my childhood.
I saw them in concert in 1979. I don't remember much but they did sound just like the record.
I saw them in 82 when I was in high school and while they sounded great, they are still among the most boring live bands I've seen out of 300 odd concerts. Zero stage presence, no audience interaction, and almost bored to be there. Later I learned they were mostly studio musicians, so it makes sense now.
Agree. Saw them I think in '80 - very boring show@@bobbymac2911
I couldn’t even begin to estimate the number of times I’ve heard this song. I played the record so many times that the needle dug through to the other side. I always loved his smooth voice. Thanks, Fil!👏🏻
I saw The Cars in Toronto at the El Mocambo in 1978. Elliot Easton's guitar playing was brilliant. The band was so tight and disciplined. I never fail to learn something from every video you critique. Thanks Fil.
I've become obsessed by this song (and My Best Friend's Girl) in the last few weeks. Elliott's guitar in particular is so great. Melodically satisfying. Tone so spot on for the song. Have you been listening on my brainwaves?!? 🤔😁
What isn’t understood unless you were there is that 1979-1982 was a transitional period not fully similar to the heart of either decade. A unique moment.
The 70s were a great time musically in Boston with Aerosmith, Boston, The Cars, The J Geils Band, Jonathan Richmond and the Modern Lovers and numerous Punk bands at the Rat.
It is really astonishing to think that in a span of two years two bands from the same town released debut albums where every single song on them got airplay all over the country. Can't thing of another time that happened in the history of rock and roll.
And the Channel😀
I love Benjamin Orr’s voice! Would love to see you analyze his vocals on Drive
Very astute of Fil to note the slightly sharp tuning (is this stick shift tuning as opposed to auto tuning?) . Their sound was ahead of its time, in particular the way the keyboards sounded. The seminal (sic) 80s Cars moment for me was when their song “Moving in Stereo” played in the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High during its most infamous scene. Benjamin had some great songs in his solo career as well, I’m particularly fond of his vocals on his hit “Stay the Night”.
"Stay the Night" is really beautiful.👍
Most excellent. I remember when this first came out. We were blown away. Nice analysis as usual
I’m sure it’s been suggested many times, but rick beato is often going off about autotune as well, and I’d be interested to hear a conversation between you two about it.
Yes please!
My two favorite YT music channels,!
I would love this see this collaboration happen. Rick and Fil both have a great way to breakdown particular songs and highlighting the excellent musicianship behind them, that is often overlooked. Also, both are educating us to notice and appreciate unaltered performances, because they are getting more and more rare in the music made now.
I was a junior in high school when this came out. I loved the entire album.
These guys were so fun, interesting, intelligent and talented. Thank you for reminding us.
Speaking as a heterosexual man, those deep dips in Ben's vocals are seductive as hell. They're very Elvis-y "I'm all shook up, uh huh."
Everyone in my college dorm had this album ! I remember playing it on cassette endlessly in my car when I came home from college on the weekends.
I've watched this performance so many times it's almost stalky. Wish I could have seen them live, this is as close as one gets. Underrated singer, IMO.
I saw The Cars live in 1981 at the Merriweather Post Pavillion in Maryland and it was a great show and Ben was of course mesmerizing. 😵💫😳
I was so saddend when he passed away. 😪😟😩
Great work Fil, The Cars were a collection of talent that was far ahead of its time. Two singers who could take the lead, excellent keyboards, guitars that created a unique sound that has passed the test of time. Sadly Benjamin and Ric left us far too soon.
I never noticed that climb from the basement in Benjamin’s voice before! Hard to imitate! Do any other male singers do that?
Yes, of course. Geoff Tate in his prime was one. I would say Mike Patton, too. I’m sure there are many others. Fil’s still talking, and I’m trying to multitask.
I was so in love with Benjamin Orr...not only a brilliant talent but drop-dead gorgeous. Sadly missed by me and millions of others. And his very unique style has always been the big draw for me listening to The Cars. His valleys and peaks (yes, a nontraditional reversal) can't be duplicated, in my humble opinion.
My wife thought Ben was really good looking as well, and when I suggested we drive from Toronto to Philly for Live Aid 85, and the Cars were playing, she was all in I wanted to see Zeppelin again but it wasn’t their best show
I accidentally watched @ the wrong speed. Has Fil ever covered "Tiny Tim"?
I agree Benjamin Orr is drop dead gorgeous. When I watched MTV during its heyday, I always sat down to watch this video. Now, nearly 70, he is still a beautiful sight to my aging eyes. We have lost so many talented artists. I am grateful there is video and music to bring these talented people back around again.
Girls' heart-throbs can linger. Guys typically move on. Nuthin' wrong w/that.@@KatieReadsKoziesAndMore
Fil, thanks for covering this. I remember when this song came out! I lived through the best era of Rock and Roll in my opinion. I think Ben Orr sang the best hits of The Cars. His voice was unique.
Always loved Benjamin's voice.
This channel is a huge cut above the rest . the channel owner actually knows what he is talking about and delivers that knowledge in a very clear and concise manner . 👍
One of my favorite songs ever. Thank you for featuring this. Ben Orr's vocals is a rock masterpiece: his diction, phrasing, and leaning into his timbre...perfect delivery for these lyrics. He's one of my favorite rock vocalists for his almost understated style: never over the top...just letting his voice bring out the song en point. And the band...The Cars were very much ahead of their time and their live sound is so polished and impeccable. I hope you'll do a separate segment focusing on the musicianship and the arrangement in this song.
I love The Cars!
I remember purchasing this album when it came out. Play it to death and still have it today
David Bowie with "Fame" and Roxy Music with "Love Is The Drug" invented the 80s clear back in the Summer & Fall of 1975 🎼🎵🎶
Thank you for this analysis. As s fellow Clevelander, I love Ben's voice and miss him very much.
I love this song--and the Cars, especially the late 70s Cars! "Dangerous Type" is probably my favourite. I like Rik Ocasek's voice as well, though I think he and Benjamin Orr did quite well trading off on lead vocals. Interesting analysis of this, thank you!
The flair Benjamin was singing matches David Bowie's approach imo. Great backing vocals too really 🏋♀️ Nice analysis Fil, Rock !!🎉
It's interesting to hear your analysis and I appreciate it. But you are just confirming what I have known since I was 14, The Cars were GREAT ! Thanks.
I love this song so much, my absolutely fave Cars song. Benjamins voice ❤
I was this many years old (70) before I found out that this wasn't sung by Rick Ocasek...😮
I didn't really go beyond 60s rock and 70s prog until I got my first Walkman in the 90s, then I "discovered" all kinds of fun music behind radio hits like Candy-o. The Cars were so cool.
Thanks for looking at this great group
Funny story, I've been hearing the Cars in one form or another since 1978 when they first came on the scene. Got my first smart phone in 2017 and first thing I did was start watching CZcams. LoL, somehow I didn't know the Cars had two lead singers in the band 😂 How that escaped me I have no idea. I think it's because they were always there I didn't really pay that much attention to them, just enjoyed the music
Brilliant choice Fil. I love the slight edge to the vocal and instrumentation. What a great live performance !
Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart, for reacting to Benjamin's voice...hope there will be some other, someday 😊
The Cars are excellent. An amazing performance as expected.