The Cars' debut album was a runaway success in 1978, with 3 charting singles. 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 band's homebase), they were pursued by record companies.

Certified 6 times platinum by the RIAA (4/95).