Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
C#mtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
E · A · B · C#m
Just What I Needed Chords – Guitar
Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
C#mtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
E · A · B · C#m
Just What I Needed Chords – Ukulele
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Atap to play
Btap to play
C#mtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Beginner
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
E · A · B · C#m
Just What I Needed Chords – Piano
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Atap to play
Btap to play
C#mtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
E · A · B · C#m
Just What I Needed Chords – Banjo
Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
C#mtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
E · A · B · C#m
Just What I Needed Chords – Mandolin
Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
C#mtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Beginner
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
E · A · B · C#m
Just What I Needed Chords – Harmonica
The Cars’ iconic new wave anthem about obsessive admiration. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.
Driving Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
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Tip: Use a clean electric guitar sound and keep the strumming crisp and tight.
Chords & Structure
Full Song
Verse 1
E – A (×2)
E – A – E
A – E
Verse 2
E – A – E
A – E (×3)
Chorus
A – E (×8)
Verse 3
E – A (×2)
E – A – E
A – E
Verse 4
E – A – E
A – E (×3)
Chorus
A – E (×8)
Bridge
E
A
E
A – E – A – E (×4)
Chorus
A – E (×8)
Practice tip: Master the simple two-chord (E and A) progression before adding the driving strum pattern to capture the song’s mechanical, pulsing energy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Just What I Needed"?
You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E, A, B and C#m.
Is "Just What I Needed" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "Just What I Needed" in?
It is in the key of E.
Who wrote "Just What I Needed"?
It was written by Ric Ocasek, and released in 1978.