The Cars: Ric Ocasek (vocals, guitar); Benjamin Orr (vocals, bass); Elliot Easton (guitar, background vocals); Gregg Hawkes (keyboards, saxophone, percussion, background vocals); David Robinson (drums, percussion, background vocals).

Recorded at AIR Studios, London, England in Feburary, 1978.

Ric Ocasek's songs were influenced by the Velvet Underground and the punk rock movement, but had a slick pop/rock sheen which proved very successful. After a demo version of “Just What I Needed” became a listener favorite on WBCN in Boston (the bands' homebase), they were pursued by record companies. THE CARS was recorded in 2 weeks in London, England.

This ranks as one of the best debut albums from a rock band. The Cars are filed under rock, but they are closer to power pop than any other genre. Ric Ocasek sounded like a cross between the Raspberries and Television, punk sound with a pop attitude. The giveaway was the irresistible harmony-ridden hooks in just about every one of his songs. Listen again to “You're All I've Got Tonight,” “Just What I Needed” or “My Best Friend's Girl” and be thrilled. Lots of chunka chunka guitar and Mamas And Papas harmonies, and rarely a dull moment. They managed only six albums in 20 years, but they never bettered this.